1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88

The 'Eighth' generation of the Delta 88 was introduced in 1977 with new styling and a considerably downsized platform with reductions in length and wheelbase. Despite the small size, its interior room remained un-impacted, other than a reduction in the shoulder room. In fact, the headroom and rear-seat legroom increased.

The base Delta 88 and Royale models were now solely two pillared body styles that included a two-door coupe and a four-door Town Sedan. The Custom Cruiser of 1977 through 1979, was based on the Delta 88's B-body rather than the Ninety-Eight's C-body, and had a two-way tailgate instead of the previous clamshell design.

The 1979 Delta 88 had a similar appearance to the prior years model. In the front, the grille now had thin horizontal stripes and three vertical divider bars on each side. Bodystyles included a coupe and a sedan in both Base and Royale trim levels. The base engine was a 231 cubic-inch V6 backed by an automatic transmission. Several other V8 engines were optional, including a 350 CID diesel V8. A total of 48,879 diesels were produced. Diesels were very popular due to the perceived worldwide oil shortage, many selling over their manufacturer's suggested retail price.

For 1979, the Delta 88 accounted for 254,939 sales which were about 24% of the company's overall sales.

A Holiday 88 Coupe was offered in 1979 on the base model. Buyers who selected this option received a T-handle floor shifter, sports console, sport steering wheel, front bucket seats, dual sport mirrors, Holiday 88 emblems, Rallye suspension, and custom wheel covers.

The new Delta 88 Royale Brougham series added plush 'pillowed' seat trim simialr to the Ninety-Eight.

1979 was the final year for the 403 V8 engine, and many other large engines throughout the industry unable to comply with new federal fuel-economy mandates.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020