1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible 455 rocket

Summary:

The best vehicle ever made

Faults:

Some rust on rear wheel wells.

Top has worn.

Leaks oil.

But that's all fine for an unrestored car!

General Comments:

This car is almost completely original and is in great shape. 455 2 bbl fires up great every time. The top motor ran dry of fluid, but I refilled it and works like a charm now. Interior is near mint condition.

This car has been in my family since it was bought brand new in 1970. I am the 3rd person to have it, and God willing, not the last.

Only problems are paint has chipped some, some body rust on wheel wells, and engine leaks oil, but it has never been restored. Just general maintenance, although I plan to restore it completely soon.

This car has plenty of power and drives like a dream. Gas mileage is about 12 mpg, but not bad for 455 ci and an official rating of 315 hp, but it's higher than that in reality. I highly recommend this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd October, 2010

1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Custom 7.5L 455 cci 4bbl Rocket

Summary:

This car is a true Urban Assault Vehicle

Faults:

The carburater needed rebuilt, fuel pump replaced, water pump replaced, fuel gauge is currently stuck, frame rust bad over rear wheels, master cylinder replaced, and various small electrical parts have been replaced or rebuilt.

General Comments:

This was my first car. Thankfully I still own her and I certainly enjoy driving her. This car was sitting in a field when I first her, and I bought her for 150.00. I would not sell this car for 1,000,000 now. Once I got this car back to running condition, it has kept going. The engine has never been rebuilt and does not burn oil. It cruises down the road like you are riding on air. I am currently restoring my car. Mine is a 2 door and I have found a 4 door I am using for parts. All of my friends thought I was crazy when I bought this car at age 16, and now they think it is cool I have kept my muscle car and wish they had one. I enjoy driving this car more than my 30,000 mile conv. Z-28, everybody gets out of the way.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th August, 2002

24th Mar 2005, 10:08

Olds engines were not made by Chevy. They had a higher nickel content and were thus much less susceptible to wear if properly maintained, unlike a Chevrolet engine which often gave up the ghost at the 100,000 mile mark. My original 1971 350 did not burn a drop of oil after 185,000 miles, and when I tore it down after over-revving and cracking a piston, I found out that the oil had not been changed for AT LEAST 20,000 miles, evidenced by the huge amounts of caked oil in the valley and blocked passages. Without proper oil distribution, the thing still delivered great smoothness and performance!

A true testament to the quality of Oldsmobile.

Don't ever get rid of it. Rust can be fixed, damage can be mended, but Oldsmobile will never make another one of these cars.

20th May 2006, 19:32

I have a 1970 Delta 88 custom 2dr with a 455 7.5L rocket. The car is a dream, I love it to death. It's lowered on 15' spoke rims and I'm now totally redoing over the whole car from the frame up, making it into a show car.

It burns no oil, but burns plenty of gas. I've only put premium in it since I bought it back in 2001.

1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Custom 455 Rocket

Summary:

One big Mean Momma

Faults:

Transmission Went out on me at the store had to drive home in reverse (funny story there)

All 4 ball-joints went out so did all the factory rubber on the front end..

Transmission just went out on me again (getting a new one this time.

General Comments:

Drive it like you stole it.

Car is big, but very well built strong as an ox.

Seats are very comfy no complaint's from my friends.

Get a lot of comments from others about keeping a classic on the road.

Scares everyone out of my lane when I'm trucking on down the road.

This older car puts the imports to shame off the line and in the long run.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd June, 2002

14th May 2006, 21:31

Years ago my family had a 1969 Oldsmobile 88, and it really was a luxury cruiser. It was very plush, quiet, had immense, comfortable front and rear seats that were power adjustable, and loaded for its time. One of the options I remember was the radio, which had a "Wonder Bar" for radio station searches, which was a neat kind of mechanical method of doing what the modern stereos do electronically now. It really was a nice car, and it's still difficult to duplicate that "big car ride" of a boat like this. Funny that you mention the transmission, because ours had a similar problem. It got so it was slow to engage in reverse, and rather than waiting for it to warm up and circulate the fluid, my dad got impatient and raced the motor, and when it caught, something was sprung. I suppose that changing the fluid and filter would have prevented that. Too bad, it was a really nice car, but at that time it wasn't anybody's idea of a classic, just another used car not worth fixing.

13th Nov 2009, 13:54

My aunt bought a 1970 Olds Delta 88 Custom, new out of the show room. It was a wonderful car. And man did it have the power. That 455 really rolled it down the road. She had to quit driving in 1981 after a stroke and taught me to drive in that car in 1976. She passed away in 1994 and we still had the car at that time. The day it was sold in 1997 it only had 29,000 original miles on it and was still running strong. My cousin sold it before I could get my hands on it. I really miss that car. It was a classic. It was 4 doors, and a beautiful gold with vinyl top.