Picturesque Photos: 1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royal Convertible- SOLD!

July 29, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

July 17, 2022 Update – We just discovered the seller replaced their original listing. In it, the pictures remain the same. However, the seller increased their asking price from $10,000 to $12,000 with the explanation, “Since everyone on craigslist wants to lowball, price is $12k or best REASONABLE offer.”

If you want to attract potential buyers to open your classic ride’s For Sale listing, you need to make an effort to get at least one great picture with a natural, uncluttered background. The seller of this 1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale convertible originally listed in July 2022 on Craigslist in Carson City, Nevada (Reno) nailed it when they took pictures of their copper-colored car against a stunning western backdrop.  In addition to featuring a 455 cubic inch Rocket V8, this Delta 88 sports a set of rare SS IV Polycase wheels.

Currently offered for $12,000 (the original ask was $10,000), Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is slightly below the five-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for seventh-generation Oldsmobile Delta 88s of all body styles produced between 1971 and 1976.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the ride featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $8,100 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $11,400.

Oldsmobile launched the seventh generation of its popular full-size Delta 88 as its version of GM‘s restyled and enlarged B-body full-size cars for 1971 which continued to ride on a 124-inch wheelbase.  Like all early seventies GM B-Body convertibles, this Delta 88 features a unique “scissor-top” frame that folds inward rather than on top of itself.  This unique design allowed the use of the same width seat as the similar hardtop models.

All 1971 Oldsmobile full-size models received fuselage styling somewhat similar to what Chrysler Corporation introduced on its 1969 models, and new rooflines with a more squared-off greenhouse for Town sedans and more rounded lines for Holiday sedans and coupes – the latter receiving reverting to a semi-fastback format.

Engine offerings again included 350 and 455-cubic-inch Rocket V8s ranging from 250 to 340 gross horsepower, all of which featured lowered compression ratios beginning in 1971 to enable the use of lower octane regular leaded 91 RON octane, low- or unleaded gasoline. Vented power front disc brakes and variable-ratio power steering were now standard equipment on all 88 models. During the 1971 model year, the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 transmission was added to the standard equipment list.

Other highlights for 1971 included a wrap-around instrument panel shared with Ninety-Eight and Toronado models (Toronados had a slightly smoother upper leading-edge design) that was highlighted by a large square speedometer and all controls within easy reach of the driver and a one-year-only Flo-Through ventilation system that utilized vents in the trunk lid. The system used on all GM B-, C- and E-body cars and the Chevrolet Vega, used the heater fan to draw air into the car from the cowl intake, and force it out through vents in the trunk lid or tailgate. In theory, passengers could enjoy fresh air even when the car was moving slowly or stopped, as in heavy traffic. In practice, however, it didn’t work and owners often complained about water leakage through the trunk vents.

The vistacruiser67 YouTube Channel features this video montage of 1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88 commercials touting the car’s new “G-Ride” comfortable suspension:

Based on the pictures provided, this 1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale convertible is a rust-free, driver-quality example the next caretaker can enjoy as it or take to the next level.  Based on the pictures, it appears this example did not feature factory air conditioning.

Here’s the seller’s detailed description:

Show or go: What would you do with this driver-quality 1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale convertible?  Please comment below and let us know!