Junkyard Gem: 1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Custom Hardtop Sedan

The Oldsmobile 88 the name goes the way back, until 1949 and the first overhead valve Olds V8 enginesand 88 (later named “Eighty eight») production continued until 1999. How deeply rooted is this an olds 88 in american history? The very first rock and roll song ever by Ike Turner in 1951, had as its subject the 88 and its V8 “Rocket” engine. The 88 reached its greatest volume in its seventh generation, which was produced from the 1971 to 1976 model years and continues today Junkyard Gem— found in self-service yard just outside the Denver city limits— one of those magnificently huge machines.

In earlier years, various configurations of the 88 were given such designations as Jetstar, Super, Dynamic, Delmontand Delta. After the last one 1968 Delmont 88s were sold, all became 88 Delta 88 years. It continued until 1989when the Delta name got the ax and the 88 became eighty eight.

This car is a Delta Customwhich was the middle of the class of 88 for 1971. It was placed between Delta 88 entry level and the top of the pyramid Delta Royal.

From the early 1960s until the switch to front-wheel drive in 1986, the Olds 88 was a brother Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac Bonneville, Buick Lesabrand all others are rear-wheel drive GM B-Body cars of the period.

In 1971, the wheelbase of the 88 remained the same, but the body was significantly enlarged. That car weighs 4,334 pounds, about 350 pounds heavier than his Impala corresponding to that year and about the same as a 2022 Chevy Traverse.

We find under the hood Dr. Oldsmobile legendary 455cc (7.5L) pushrod V8, smooth stroke, which was the largest displacement Oldsmobile engine of the modern era (car buyers in 1912 could purchase a new Olds with a 706-cubic-inch inline-six).

Power was down from 1970, partly due to lower compression ratios to meet new requirements. emission standards and partly due to the move away from somewhat stretched total engine power figures (sometimes increased to make vehicles faster, sometimes lowered to make insurance prices are cheaper) to the strict SAE net power standard. However, this 455 made 280 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque like an ocean liner. Tellingly, the 1971 Oldsmobile brochure horse power is not mentioned at all, just torque. Believe it or not, you could get this car with a manual gearbox three on the tree from the factory, although it has an automatic; beginning in 1972, all Delta 88s came with automatic transmissions as standard equipment.

Oldsmobile made some adjustments to the suspension for 1971, ostensibly to counteract the forces of oversteer when cornering while maintaining a smooth Oldsmobilesque ride. It was called the “G-Ride” and we can assume that it is inspired rappers a quarter of a century later. Oldsmobile songs have been with us since 1901 Curved-Dashand they continue to be created 18 years later the last Oldsmobiles left Lansing Car Assembly.

This car was in good shape when I found it, no rust, and the interior is much nicer than you would expect after 51 years. It was full of documents that showed it was last registered in the late 1990s.

It included the 1965 yearbook of the DI MU DA Dance Club.

Original operating instructions and Protect-O-Plate were still in the car. I kept the Protect-O-Plate, which now lives on my garage wall.

Although it’s a hardtop that’s easy to rebuild, the big four-door isn’t much value these days. A Delta 88 Royale convertible would be a different story, of course.

The G-Ride system was tested on the test track.

According to this ad, the Delta 88 has undergone numerous torture tests.

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