Car Spot: 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible

Oldsmobile’s final drop-top

Nothing says Summer in Wisconsin than a convertible. This week’s spot is an early 70’s Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible. A sunny day with temps in the mid-70s is just the perfect day for a car like this.

The convertible market certainly has had its share of ups and downs throughout the years. In the beginning, they were all topless until manufacturers figured out how to make the bodies more rigid in the 20’s. They didn’t make a comeback until just after WWII and then boomed in the late 50s and early 60s but then fell off again in the late 60s after T-tops and sunroofs were introduced. The market share of convertibles fell to two or three percent of total sales and the U.S. automakers dropped the body style from their lineups. American Motors stopped making convertibles after the 1968 model year, Chrysler after 1971, Ford after 1973, and most divisions of General Motors after 1975 while Cadillac held out until 1976.

This week’s spot represents an era where GM went big before convertibles went away. The early 1970s saw the last of the truly full-size Oldsmobile Delta 88s. This GM B-Body rode on a massive 124-inch wheelbase. The Delta 88 was the basic Oldsmobile, offering just a few of the basics such as vinyl or cloth upholstery, power front disc brakes, and flo-thru ventilation.

Power for all of the Delta 88 series in 1971 came from 350-cid small-block or 455-cid big-block V-8 engine. The 350 offered 250 gross hp, while the standard 455 depending on how many carburetors it had between 310 and 400 hp, and pushed out a spectacular 500 lb-ft of torque, the 455 big block was most famously used in the 442 muscle car. In 1972 the 350 engine became standard, and the rating dropped to 160 hp. Keeping it in perspective it was not that big loss, because 1972 was the first year for net hp ratings instead of the old gross hp ratings. The 455-cid big block remained a popular option throughout this generation, though power dropped off as the years went on.

What are they worth now? Surprisingly, not a lot. Even the rare ones optioned with the big-block can be bought according to Hagerty in Concours condition in the mid to upper 30s.

Thanks for stopping by and reading about this week’s spot. As you read this it will be my last day at AirVenture in Oshkosh where hopefully I will have something car-related to share with you. Have a great weekend.