Vehicle Description
1972 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Convertible
Perhaps Hagerty said it best when they suggested that collectors
should seek out the Royale version of the 88's when shopping,
primarily because of the enhanced comfort features afforded the car
versus the base model of the 1972 vintage. Even so, compared to the
cars of today, the cars were uncomplicated and sparse in terms of
bells and whistles, and that's part of the appeal of classic
cars.
For consignment, a numbers matching 1972 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale
convertible in very good condition and having only traveled a title
verified 54,939 actual miles. Beach cruiser, street cruiser, parade
car...these big convertibles have such great potential for family
fun. Just 3,900 two door Delta 88 Royale convertibles were produced
in 1972 making this a relatively rare ride.
Exterior
Royal Blue paint covers the car which is complemented by a white
vinyl soft top. There's no ignoring the sheer mass of the vehicle.
It is 222 inches long, just five inches short of the longest
vehicle of 1972, the Olds 98! The hood goes on for miles and the
shoulder line turns up slightly as it reaches the trunk which
extends almost as far as the hood. The long doors could probably
launch this vehicle airborne if they were turned on their side. As
is, they allow for easy access to the front and rear seats. The
paint is in very good condition and so are the chrome bumpers and
other metal work. The stacked tail lights give the car personality
and the dual exhaust gives it character. Overall, the canvas top is
in very good condition and has a glass window. Paint imperfections
include bubbling in areas, scratches, some surface rust, previous
touch ups and the midline trim piece shows some delaminating.
Interior
Black door cards include a stitched panel with buttons, while the
flat panels are framed with a faux wood trim piece. Courtesy lights
on the bottom let traffic behind you know the wings are
outstretched. More stitching and button back on the split bench
front seat in black vinyl. It would be at home in your den and
provides near limitless sitting real estate. We note some black
duct tape over some probably cracks and the seat in general could
use some deep detailing. The rear bench fares a bit better and is
also big and wide. On the bridge of the ship is the original
steering wheel, column shifter and dash backed by faux wood panels,
all slightly canted to the driver. In a feat of engineering, the
rectangle speedometer is denoted by the needle which still goes in
a circle. If the needle is pointing to the top right corner, you
might want to slow down. A/C controls and an AM/FM radio flank the
speedometer while a trio of added gauges for volts, water, and oil
are mounted under the dash. The black loop carpet shows some use on
both sides in the front and would be a relatively easy upgrade to
restore it. Or just throw some mats on top.
Drivetrain
The original 350ci numbers matching V8 is under the big hood and is
rated at 160 net horsepower. It's equipped with an Edelbrock
4-barrel carburetor over an Edelbrock intake manifold and tied to a
numbers matching TH400 3-speed automatic transmission. The engine
bay is very clean, clean enough to pop the hood at car shows
without hesitation. Power goes to the back via a 10 bolt rear.
Power brakes stop the behemoth with disks in front and drums in
rear.
Undercarriage
The bottom side looks fantastic with only a few areas of minor
surface rust. The dual exhaust drops from the engine and travels
long distance where it meets a pair of asymmetrical stock style
mufflers and then heads to the very back. Coil springs float the
independent front suspension while a 4 link with coil springs
occupies the back. All normal areas of leak evidence look clean and
dry.
Drive-Ability
Land ho! We're about to launch into yacht puns! We'll try and keep
that under control but if you've ever captained a long bowed boat,
it's not much of a stretch. The 350 provides adequate power, you
won't win any street races but the engine doesn't strain to push
the 4,300 pounds either. The car floats as if on a calm sea but it
will lean on a slalom course and tight turns. Braking is all there,
and everything functions with the exception of the radio and the
clock.
You can consider this car because it's a matching numbers 1972
Oldsmobile, but you're likely thinking about it because it's just a
darn cool ride! The era of huge convertibles is long gone, so these
relics of a bygone era are becoming increasingly sought after and
uncommon. Here's one with low mileage, a straight body, and ready
to hit the streets again!
3N67H2M545495
3-Oldsmobile
N-Delta 88 Royale
67-Convertible
H-350ci 2bbl V8
2-1972
M-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
545495-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 72 36467-1972 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Convertible
BDY LAN476954-Lansing Body #
TR 340-Black Vinyl
PNT 28B-Royal Blue, Black Top
05B-2nd Week May
A65-Custom Sport Vinyl Split Bench With Armrests
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
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