1972 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale

Description

Full-size convertibles have always been hot with collectors, but in recent years we've seen the last of the GM luxury cars with tops that go down become genuine collectors' items. That means prices are on the rise and good ones like this 1972 Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible won't be this affordable for long.

With what we believe to be just 69,048 original miles, this big Olds has probably always been something special to someone. The recent code 48 Sequoia Green paint looks impressive, giving this big ragtop the dignity it has surely earned over the past four decades. It also has a wonderful glow to it, with a bit of metallic in the finish that makes it look fantastic out in the sunlight. The body doesn't look like it has had any major surgery over the years and these ragtops were actually fairly well built for the era, so the doors open and close with a reassuring solidity and the long quarters are straight. The trim running along the sides emphasizes the fact that this car is nearly 17 feet long, and you can see the care that went into putting it together because everything lines up so well. All the chrome and trim on the car has been recently polished, re-plated, or replaced, so it's in first-rate condition, right down to the ornate "Delta Royale" script on the deck lid.

The white interior is quite possibly original and shows off what years of easy living can do for an old car. The wide bench seat is still firm and doesn't show any excessive wear that would suggest high mileage or neglect. Black carpets and dash provide contrast that keeps it from being too bright inside and work really well with the formal-looking Olds. The door panels are definitely original and this is where the car shows most of its age, but there are no tears or cracks in the vinyl, and a deep cleaning would probably take them up a notch or two. Things like the gauge faces and woodgrain appliques look bright and crisp, again indicative of low miles and clean living, and as an Oldsmobile, this car is loaded with options like factory A/C, an AM/FM radio, and a tilt steering column. There's room for six with the back seat being especially spacious thanks to GM's "scissor" top mechanism, which stows with a touch of a button and features a glass rear window. And few cars are better suited to road trips than this, with its massive trunk that includes a full-sized spare and jack assembly.

Oldsmobile's 350 cubic inch Rocket V8 provides that torquey, effortless feel that was so important in cars like this. Rebuilt and nicely detailed in Oldsmobile Gold paint, it only looks small because the engine bay is so massive. It starts easily, idles with a bit of a muscular burble from the fresh single exhaust system, and pulls the big ragtop around with genuine enthusiasm. A TH400 3-speed automatic is a good choice in a heavy cruiser like this, and you'll note that the chassis is bare and not hidden with undercoating, so you can really see how good this car's had it over the years. Power steering and brakes, are, of course, standard and it has the right '70s luxury look with big 225/75/15 Firestone whitewall radials.

With photos and receipts from the 6-year frame-on restoration included, this is a great-driving vintage convertible that's ready to enjoy. Call today!