When I’m hunting through Craigslist, especially when I’m on a cheap-car hunt, I tend to do something: as I study a potential victim project car, I look to see what I would change. Is the engine enough, or would I have to swap it to be happy? Can I stand the wheels, or do they have to go? How much paint will I need, is the stance right, and so on and so forth. It makes the difference between a $2,500 car and a $2,500 car that will cost eight grand by the time it is all said and done. Being picky has rewards…getting as close to what you want off of the bat saves you time and money changing what you don’t like.
The Oldsmobile Delmont 88 was a strange setup. Olds had been juggling nameplates around on the 88 series for most of the 1960s, and whether it was Jetstar, Starfire, Dynamic, Delmont, Custom, Royale or Delta, it was still Oldsmobile’s top billing. The Delmont was the low end of the scale. It replaced the Jetstar and Dynamic models in one blow and came with one of three engines: a standard 330ci mill, with an optional 425 in 1967 and 455 in 1968. Looks wise…from my view, it’s a plus-sized 442. I’m good with that, are you?
This example is a 455-powered 1968 and you can blame Ratty Muscle Cars for rubbing off on me a little here, but I wouldn’t do a damn thing looks-wise to the car. Nothing. Patch the rust holes if you want, get that 455 working, and go stripe some country roads. Nobody bothered saving these cars when they were pretty and perfect. Might as well give a customized one a reason to live, and with $4,500 out of your wallet, at least you’ll have some gas money left over!
Craigslist Link: 1968 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 Holiday Coupe
I never realized how closely similar this Olds is to a Buick Riviera
This opens up a new frontier of possibilities.
I’d cruise it…
Have nice limited slip rear gears and compete rears for this car.Norris 980 210-4456
Have nice rear gears and complete rear for this car.980 210-4456
Id make it perfect. Paint it Navy Blue with a set of those new Hurst wheels any chrome goes back on too. These are sharp cars.
That is a good looking car, would cruise for sure.
Cragar S/S wheels have never looked so out of place on a car – so just sell them on and invest some of the sale price something better.
Cragar S/S wheels where virtually required on cars of that era. The exact opposite of out of place.
It’s not a ‘holiday’ that would mean Bucket Seats in Oldsmobile. Even in a 4 door or a wagon.
The window tint has to go first thing. Then switch to a set of Torque-Thrust wheels. Depending on suspension and brakes maybe 17 or 18 inches.
I would change it to a bucket seat 5 speed manual transmission car. Then go with large 4 wheel disk brakes, try to find some springs and suspension parts to make it turn better then it did new.
Reading the add it has some rust where the vynal top was. I would likely have to take care of that. Then do a matt finish on it. that 2007-up Silverado light blue looks goods with flattening agent in it.