1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88

Description

Every time we feature one of these big luxury ragtops, the phones light up; who knew there was such a strong following for GM's final big land yachts? This 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible certainly has all the right ingredients: big, effortless power, lots of power options, and a classic look that pre-dates the '70s glitz that marked the end of an era.

Great colors certainly help, and while this one was originally a shade called Crystal Green (a relative of avocado green), basic black gives the big ragtop a whole new outlook. The repaint is a few years old, but if you check the door jambs, trunk, and underhood areas, you won't find any traces of the original paint, suggesting that this was one expensive paint job indeed. You know black can be problematic on sub-par cars, so I'm happy to report that this one seems to have lived its life where winter weather was a non-issue and it doesn't look to have ever been in a serious accident that would have bent the sheetmetal. No, it's quite straight and clean, with good panel alignment and a wonderful strip of trim running down the length of the body that doesn't leave any place for shoddy workmanship to hide. The chrome and stainless trim is remarkably restrained for the era, with excellent bumpers and polished stainless details that are very well preserved.

The interior got a full makeover as well. The cowl tag says it should be code 327, which was sticky white vinyl, but the combination of tan fabric and vinyl it has today is far more upscale-looking and comfortable. With the black paint, the combination is absolutely gorgeous! Workmanship is excellent, with the upholsterer working overtime to replicate the factory patterns and even the door panels are remarkably well done. Of course, as an Oldsmobile you know it's full of luxury options such as power windows and locks, factory A/C, and a tilt column, and the dash is lined with reasonable-looking faux wood. In fact, that wrap-around dash is one of the interior's coolest features, and puts all the major controls right at the driver's fingertips. There's a newer AM/FM/cassette stereo in the original slot, and it fits well enough that some might think it was born there. A newer power convertible top offers a glass rear window and a matching boot, and the trunk is fully outfitted with a correct mat and full-size spare.

To move all that sheetmetal you need big torque, and the Oldsmobile 455 cubic inch V8 delivers creamy-smooth power that makes this car feel effortless in everything it does. The big gold engine starts easily and idles so quietly that you almost want to try starting it again, but out on the road, it makes the car feel 1000 pounds lighter. It's completely stock, so it's happy on pump gas and service is easy. Dual exhaust adds a few horsepower and gives it a quiet, muscular sound on the road, and the TH400 3-speed automatic transmission is always in the right gear. As I said, the undercarriage shows that this car didn't spend any time in the rust belt; it's quite solid and the incomparably smooth ride is something you only get from a 1970s luxury car. Original steel wheels with wire hubcaps are a traditional luxury look and they ride on 235/75/15 Kumho whitewall radials at all four corners.

Affordable luxury with a top that goes down never looked as good as it does here. You don't have to be an Oldsmobile fan to love major luxury like this. Call today!