Easy answer for a first time poster.

[Guest]

First time here BUT I hope to frequent this forum more often.

All I'm looking for is either a link or someone to type/send a PM with the stats/specs for the 1971/1972 year of Delta 88. I'm highly considering purchasing one BUT I want to compare such items as interior space, wheelbase etc.... to an extended mini van.

My father used to own a 1971 Delta 88 and I'll never forget the look on his face when he discovered what was under the hood.

My father was not a speed freak but if the power was there he felt comfortable knowing he had it to use. Well, back in 1975 he bought a used Blue/White Delta 88. while test driving it, as he was turning a corner, he felt the tires spin. His first thought was that he would have to get newer tires as these acted like they were running out of treadware. After a few weeks went by after he purchased it, the 4th of July came by. The whole family went to my father's brother's house as they lived in the country and we could set off our own fireworks. Well, my cousins at the time had just bought a 327 Camaro (the engine was "Chained" to the frame) so they were kind of excited about seeing Uncle Ed's new car, even though it was a "Family Car". As they were looking under the hood they noticed the info sticker was covered with dirt. One of my cousins rubbed it off and with the number presented before them they asked my father, "What does 7.4 Liter convert to in cubic inches?" Heh, My father, thinking he needed new tires, was actually spinning them due to the power behind his foot! He thought he bought a 350 V-8 Delta, but my cousins found out he bought a 455 V-8! They went crazy. They wanted to take it for a spin but with just buying it he did not want anything to happen to it.

Anyways, this was my first experience with a so called "Muscle-Car". I do have to say that, even though I was not old enough to drive I told my self I wanted a big car like that when I grow up.

Well, here I am, grown up, and now I'm looking for either a '71 or '72 Delta.

The other reasons for wanting one are, I have 4 kids so I need something big enough to carry 6 people. PLUS: I need something that if some part breaks down on it I can run up to the parts store and get what I need. Right now I can't do that. I currently own a '97 Saturn SL2 and a '95 Plymouth Voyager. The Voyager is getting to the point where I could possibly get parts for it but it is slowly breaking down. It has 100,120 miles on it and it is starting to leak oil and power steering fluid. The Saturn, on the other hand, I can't even replace the exhaust system without having to go to the dealer to get it fixed. I'm sick of this! Some piping and a muffler and the "Dealer" has to do it? I checked 4 different parts stores and they all told me "The Dealer....".

So, my plan is: Next year purchase a newer mini van AND possibly sell the Saturn to purchase an older BIG car, one that can carry the family in it too.

Like I said earlier, I hope to visit here more often, especially if I can find a decent 88 of the '71 to '72 model years.

Thanks for listening!

[rocketraider]

You can often find very nice one owner Delta four door HARDTOPS (not sedans) for little money, and they can be very stylish and practical collector cars for a family. Other than the fact they are heavy and thirsty, they will go forever with reasonable care and are modern enough that you don't have to worry about finding replacement parts or someone who can service it. They share many mechanicals with the other GM B-body cars and can run happily on unleaded fuel.

The hardtops are often nicely optioned cars as they were aimed at the high midpriced market. AT, PS, PB were standard, and most had air. Tilt, cruise, electric windows and seat (which with kids you probably don't want) were all available. And 71-2 cars had a fancy wheel option that really sets them off- the Super Stock IV Polycast wheel which to me looks better on the 4-door car than the coupe.

There are a couple of drawbacks. GM materials quality wasn't the greatest in those years. Chrome will almost always be pitted or peeling, and NOS isn't easy to find for these cars as it seems all the vendors concentrate on the Cutlass and toss the big car stuff. A lot of sedans had cloth seats too, which may not be practical if yer kids are small. They do have some rust problem areas- rear wheelhouses and trunk edges are places to check closely. 73-later 455s with J heads are known to burn valves and crack valve seats.

I have owned several early 70s big Oldsmobiles and they were good road cars and dependable to a fault. Good luck in your search for one.

[Guest]

@rocketraider:

Thanks for the reply. I do have to add to my intitial post that when I was a bit younger I opted to buy a '77 Cutlass GCSX (Greater Cleveland Special Edition). I purchased it from a private owner (another younger kid) and since it was my first real car purchase I was too excited to notice the faults that it had. I had started to do some restoration work on it and the first thing I had done was some sandblasting of the whole lower half, as it was all rusty. About 30 seconds after I started it from the sandblasting place the car started to cough and sputter all the way home. To make a long story short, the company did not warn me (And I did not think about it) to cover the carb beforehand. As a result of this over sight (and ALOT of time and $$ spent figuring out what was wrong) it turned out the carb was basically filled with "SAND"! I lucked out as there was no sand in the engine BUT all of my $$ went to figuring out what the problem was. As a result, I could not finish the restoration and then the tranny started leaking AND after a rather hard acceleration on the highway shortly afterwards I blew a rocker arm (cracked it right in half). After this the car was garaged and then towed away for good.

I have learned ALOT since then but I would also like some pointers as to what I should be on the look out for when looking for a Delta. Like, are there any trouble spots (besides what you mentioned), mainly the more higher dollar costs, also, besides the gas <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

You are quite right on my kids being small. They range from 10yrs to 5 months. One boy in the group. I would like something that "he and dad" can mess around with when he gets older.

I don't know if this is a bad idea or not BUT I was planning on looking at dealers that deal with older cars, like www.gatewayclassiccars.com. They have a rather nice looking '72 Delta that meets, at least the initital standards, that I have been looking for. Unfortunately, this is not the time for me to be buying so I will have to pass on this one (Clenches teeth HARD)!

I appreciate the response though. Any ideas where I can find the specs for 71 or 72 Delta? I feel safe in assuming that they are basically the same size so info on either will do.

Thanks again! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Grimm]

Obviously, do what you feel comfortable with, but if money is an issue, stick with a private party. Dealers have to buy a car, and then make a profit, so they are usually a fair amount higher priced. So if you do see one that looks like a good deal, be very careful. My dad bought a '70 Corvette convertible from a local dealer and he regrets it. He paid $26K for it. It looks like a show car, but they didn't restore it well at all mechanically. Not to mention the salesman was such high pressure that he didn't use his head when evaluating it, and now he has a car that he can't stand to drive for more than an hour because it's so cramped.

[Giftman]

Thunder-

Here is a perfect example of what can be found for an excellant price.

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/2/4/50387624.htm

Check it out!

Bob

[Guest]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thunder-

Here is a perfect example of what can be found for an excellant price.

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/2/4/50387624.htm

Check it out!

Bob </div></div>

Thanks for the tip! I'm currently at work and can't access the site due to restrictions (site is classified as "Internet Auction") so when I get home I'll check it out.

BTW: Did you notice your posting time? GREAT time (4:55am)!!lol

Thanks Again! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

Another question about these older Olds. How well does the original AC hold up for all these years? I checked out some retro-fit kits (R12 -> R134) but they seem kind of high right now. Also, the main reason my father got rid of his '71 was, besides it being thirsty, the "Points" kept going out on him. I believe he carried an extra set with him just in case the working ones stopped working. I remember the car bucking wildly up in Michigan bringing my sister home from college. My mother had to come get us as it was 11pm and there were no service stations open. We had to leave it at a highway patrol office and get it repaired the next day. So, how are the "Electrics" on the 88's too? Was ours a freak of nature or was this something common among them?

BTW: Any hints at where I might find the cubic footage for luggage and storage room for a '71 or '72 88? I believe they would be the same size. All I have found after searching the web for 2 weeks has been the wheelbase, 124". I would like to compare the luggage room/storage space of a 71/72 88 to a Grand mini van.

Thanks again everyone! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Giftman]

Thunder-

not to beat a dead horse, but I noticed my last link was for a 98, and I believe you were sentimentally attached to a Delta 88. So here goes!

OLDS: 1971 Delta 88, 4 dr, 455 V8, good cond, $2250/bo (315) 986-8154

Local Classified from NY. My point is, wherever you are located, there are good Olds' to be found!

All of my Oldsmobiles have had conventional points, and I have never experienced any of the issues that you have had.

As far as the AC issue is concerned, I'll let the experts get you that info.

Good Luck!

Bob

[Sgt Art]

Old points systems can be easily eliminated with a variety of after market products. I just did a 1972 Lincoln MKIV using Pertronics system which is an easy drop in installation right on the old distributor. No need to change rotor or cap as this device fits where the points and condensor used to. They make them for GM products too. Another way to go is to just find a HEI type distributor and it should drop right in where the old points type did. That's probably a better way to do it as you will have the benefit of HEI hotter spark. The old GM points were very easy to adjust with a cheap dwell meter and the right size allen wrench. Much easier than Ford. Simply hook the dwell meter to the negative side of the coil and the other lead is to ground and turn the allen screw behind the little door until you get about 29 -30 degrees dwell reading (V-8 engine).

[Guest]

TB2, I've found one of the best ways to research cars you are interested in is to check out eBay (yes, eBay!) Sometimes you even get lucky and they are located close by, but usually its just a good place to pick up info or look at some pics.

Also, unlike Ford products, GM points are very reliable- my Cutlass gets tuned up once a year and I've never had any problems with the points in between. If the points are going bad all the time then there is a problem with the distributor or they are not being lubed correctly.

Good luck with your Delta 88 search! -Eric