1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale
Oldsmobile 88 (a.k.a. Eighty Eight) was a car distributed via Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The car was first manufactured in the 1949 model year. It underwent many facelifts and redesigns over the years. This vehicle was available in multiple versions. Oldsmobile 88 was discontinued after 1999.
This 1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale sedan rides like a cloud. It displays nicely with a Light Golden Carmel Firemist exterior. This eye catcher features power steering, AM/FM radio, immaculate cloth interior, manual windows and manual door locks.
Delta 88 Royale models differed mainly in exterior and interior trim. Base Deltas had a full bench seat available in cloth-and-vinyl or all-vinyl upholstery, while Royales had a notchback bench seat with armrest or optional 60/40 notchback bench, also available in cloth-and-vinyl or all-vinyl trim. All 88s featured an all-new instrument panel with a horizontal sweep speedometer and heater/air conditioning controls moved to the center of the dash above the radio from the left side of the dash, and continued with the “Message Center” bank of warning lights. The new dash was highlighted with woodgrain trim. The dimmer switch moved from the floor to the turn-signal lever.
Drivetrain components include the 350cid true Olds V8 VIN Code R engine, followed by either a Chevrolet 350, and a TH350 automatic transmission.
The use of a Chevrolet engine caused a situation known as the “Chevy-mobile” affair. GM settled with some Oldsmobile owners by offering them warranty extensions for the Chevrolet-engined Oldsmobiles, or the option of returning those cars in exchange for an Oldsmobile with a genuine Rocket V8. The “return car” option wasn’t commonly chosen, because the owner had to pay GM for mileage driven, which could become expensive. This began the era of “corporate” engines, and for many years GM advertisements would include a disclaimer stating ‘”Oldsmobiles (or other divisions) are equipped with engines manufactured by various GM divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.”‘
It is now more then forty years since this car was new. Which is a long time. And admittedly, what is “normal” or “average” for one age group is not the same as for another. But for those of us old enough to remember Oldsmobile during its glory days, this car would be in the running for the last of the big Oldsmobiles that could be described as great cars. The aging former-Oldsmophobe now misses cars like this and would happily welcome one into his garage. Because “normal” is under-appreciated.
