Oldsmobile 88

The Oldsmobile 88 (also Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight ) was a car that was from 1949 to 1999 Oldsmobile, a brand of General Motors built. First set of 88, the average model of the brand illustrates, from 1951 to 1960, he served as an entry model. After Oldsmobile smaller cars built, took over his post 88, a little above the center of the model range.

During this period, 88 models were provided with various epithets, which were sometimes known as the model designation 88 in 1957 gave it to the Golden Rocket, 1958-1966 Dynamic, 1964-1966 Jetstar, 1966-1988 the Delta, 1967 and 1968 the Delmont, and from 1989 to 1999 Royale. More than a mere epithet was the name Super 88 From 1951 to 1964, she designated a separate series, which - provided with a larger engine - between the normal 88 and the top model ranked 98.

Originally, the number of cylinders called the first "8" the car size and the second "8" (see here) and from 1977 also six-cylinder engines were offered in 88 but.

Year by year

1949-1953

Oldsmobile 88 Coupe

In 1949, the 88 as a combination of the bodies of the 70 series with the new V8 engine of the Model 98 made ​​135 bhp (99 kW) The 4977 cc great machine at 3600 min -1.

In 1950 a hardtop coupé called Holiday thereto, and the series received a continuous rather than a split windshield. In 1951 the Super 88 as the mean model and out of the 88 was an entry model Deluxe only as a 2 - or 4- door sedan. 1952, the engine output increased to 145 bhp (107 kW ), 1953 to 150 bhp (110 kW). The bodies changed only little, only the small round taillights were more and more up and out of the fenders and so gradually introduced to the era of tail fins on.

1954-1960

Oldsmobile 88 Holiday hardtop two-door (1955 )

1954 attended the 88 with a new, flatter body with small tail fins on. The front bumper horns had taken the form of missiles. Front and rear windows were designed as panoramic windows. The designation Deluxe had disappeared again. The V8 engine was enlarged to 5309 cc and 170 bhp made ​​(125 kW) at 4000 min -1. The third body variant, the Holiday hardtop coupe came back. 1955 emigrated only the front bumper a little higher and gave the car to a more modern look. The engine output increased to 185 bhp (136 kW) and a fourth variant was a four - door hardtop sedan to which also bore the name Holiday. 1956 mutated to the shark's mouth grille with vertical chrome strut medium. The engine output increased to 230 bhp again (169 kW) at 4400 min -1.

In 1957 the shark's mouth in the front bumper was a bit smaller, the average chromium strut fell off and the tail fins were more apparent. The series led 88 now because of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the brand the nickname Golden Rocket and waited with a significantly enlarged motor. From 6080 cc 277 bhp he drew (204 kW) at 4400 min -1, and thus just as much as the Super 88 and the 98th, the series was expanded to include a 2-door convertible and station wagon "Fiesta"; the first of the brand since 1951. It gave him as a 5-door version and no B-pillar ( " Hardtop Station Wagon" ). The additional designation " Fiesta " lasted until 1960. 1958 received the nickname Dynamic Range, a wide grille with the doubled bumpers and twin headlights adorned the front. The rear fenders were fitted on the sides each with three chrome-plated trim, which gave them a washboard- like appearance. The engine power decreased slightly to 265 bhp (195 kW) at 4400 min -1. This was the distance to the larger models, the engine performance this year still rose, restored.

In 1959, the styling of the Oldsmobile car was again completely redesigned. The tail fins reached their most pronounced forwards and carried the vehicles a wide grille with wide-spaced dual headlights, between which position lights were arranged. In the middle of the hood was slightly lowered. After the larger models were given a bigger and more powerful engine, allowed the engine performance of the Dynamic -88 slightly to 270 bhp (199 kW) at 4600 min -1.. rise The hardtop station wagon was no longer offered. In 1960, the tail fins were smaller again and the twin headlights drew closer together. In addition, there was a station wagon with 7 seats. The engine output fell sharply to 240 bhp (176 kW).

1961-1970

Dynamic Oldsmobile 88 (1966)

The Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 of the model year 1961 had no tail fins, but a tapered rear end. The panoramic windows were gone. The dual round headlights limited the wide radiator grille, in the lower third of the stand to read word " Oldsmobile ". This scenery was framed by smooth front bumper and bonnet. There was a new V8 engine with 6457 cc and 280 bhp (206 kW) at 4400 min -1. 1962, there was a simpler grille and the 2 -door sedan was discontinued. 1963, the grille was contoured so that the center line and the fender ends stood out somewhat, while the dual headlights were sitting deeper in the grille. The round taillights gave way to narrow, upright specimens. In 1964 saw very few changes. The Dynamic -88 entry-level model called Jetstar has been set aside, the smaller V8 engine with only 5407 cc displacement and an output of 245 bhp (180 kW) at 4600 min -1. possessed. This vehicle was a special hardtop coupe and convertible with 2 doors, as well as a sedan and hardtop sedan with 4 doors.

1965 received the grille a " bone-shaped " ( between the double headlights he was slightly lower ) and over the rear wheel arches could be seen " pelvic thrust " one. The Dynamic 88 received a larger engine with 6965 cc and a power output of 300 bhp (221 ​​kW) at 4400 min -1. The combination models were no longer offered, but there was a sub-series called Dynamic Delta. The engine of the Jetstar 88 rose to 260 bhp (191 kW). In 1966, the front was a bit more contoured and engine performance of the models Dynamic- 88 and Delta -88 (now a separate series ) increased to 310 bhp (228 kW). The Jetstar 88 there was no longer available as a convertible. 1967 showed the grille a very prominent, very low center part and the double headlights disappeared deeper into their sockets. The Jetstar 88 was the Delmont 88-330, the Dynamic 88 for Delmont 88-425. In the latter, the performance fell back to 300 bhp (228 kW). When Delta 88 hardtop models were available as a custom addition to the standard version.

In 1968, the contouring of the grille has been enhanced, that there was a real V-shape. The grille stretched on both sides of the painted nose. The Delmont 88-330 turned into the Delmont 88 and received a larger engine with 5735 cc and 250 bhp (184 kW) at 4400 min -1. The engine of the Delta 88 grew to 7456 cc displacement as its predecessor and made 310 bhp. In the Delta series, there was no longer a convertible, but back in the Delmont series. In 1969, the wheelbase by 1 " increases to 3150 mm, the styling and the engine remained the same. However, the Delmont 88 to confuse the buyer in Delta 88 was renamed during the previous Delta -88 was nicknamed Custom. The 2-door hardtop coupe, there was also better equipped than Royale. Also in 1970 there was little change, only the large 7.5 liter - engine fell off, so that all delta -88 with the unchanged 5,7 l - were equipped "Small Block " ..

1971-1976

Picture not available

Had 1970 waives at the " big block " V8 with 7.5 liters of displacement, the engine popped out of the Oldsmobile 98 for the better-equipped Custom and Royale Series 1971 again in the 280 bhp (206 kW) - variant as the base engine. The buyer of the normal Delta 88 had to deal with the well-known " small block " 5.7 liter engine content, its performance even at 240 bhp (176 kW) at 4200 min -1. had fallen. In the model between 1972 and 1975, the big block to the model 98 was reserved again. After a significant reduction in engine output of the 5.7 liter engine to 160 bhp (118 kW) for 1972/1973 put this 1974/1975 back to 180 bhp (132 kW ) in order to model years 1975/1976 back to 170 bhp to fall (125 kW). In model year 1976, for all Delta 88 at the request of " Big Block " available once again, but with an under the effect of the oil crisis significantly reduced power output of 190 bhp (140 kW) at 3400 min -1.

At a constant wheelbase was in these years of Delta -88, like its sister model 98, longer and heavier than ever before. Development Goals were size and comfort, energy efficiency was still not taken into account. Stylistically, little changed. Showed the dual round headlights in 1971 in rectangular frame, as they were in 1976 completely replaced by rectangular specimens. Otherwise, there came every year to the known changes in the grille: In 1971, he extended into the front bumper, in the following years took his height again. Also the slow unfashionable expectant hip movement remained the Oldsmobile Delta 88, and the Oldsmobile 98 through the years. In 1971, there were in addition to the normal Delta 88 Custom and the better-equipped top model Royale. From 1972, the custom fell off.

1977-1985

Oldsmobile Delta 88 (1977-1985)

As well as the large model 98 appeared the Delta -88 in model year 1977 significantly reduced, but in a style that was similar to its predecessor. Of all the body shapes of the " full-size " model only a 2 -door coupe and a 4 -door sedan remained. The efficiency had increased significantly - the " downgesizte " model had astonishingly more interior and luggage space than the half a meter long and half a ton heavier predecessor. Also, noise and ride comfort have been enhanced. For the first time a V6 engine was offered as the base 88; but the election were next to continue three different V8 engines. 1978 there was little change in styling and technology. 1979 disappeared the 6.6 liter - Engine of the offer; for the first time introduced the 98 in the previous diesel engine with 5735 cc and 125 bhp (92 kW) at 3600 min -1. now offered in the Delta -88 (for details, see here). Stylistic changes over the previous year were limited to the grille.

In 1980, due to the looming tightening by the measures announced by U.S. President Jimmy Carter laws to maintain a minimum fleet consumption ( CAFE) a facelift on the lines were a bit clearer and more formal, because the roof line in the pontoon style was steeper. The front turn signal emigrated under the rectangular headlights on the bumper, at the same time the hood was lowered front to zoom out air resistance. By 1985 there were only minor changes to styling and engine range. Also starting in 1980, there were in addition to the normal Delta - 88 and the Royale still a top model named Royale Brougham. Engine default, the legally prescribed savings through the elimination of the 5.7-liter Rocket V8 was characterized in 1981, while instead a ultra quiet 4.3- liter V8 should get used to the customers to smaller displacements. 1985 was the Delta 88 the largest Oldsmobile because of the higher positioned Ninety -Eight had already taken the next step of downsizing and was again become a foot shorter. From 1986, the full-size Delta 88 was no longer offered.

Between 1981 and 1984, the American company Stutz built based on the Delta 88 coupe about 100 copies of the model Blackhawk (fourth series). Suspension, basic structure and the technical components of the Oldsmobile were unchanged; However, the car received a completely independent body, which was made in Italy.

1986-1999

Oldsmobile Delta Eighty-Eight (1986-1991)

After in 1985 the Model 98 was converted to front-wheel drive, followed in 1986 by the Delta -88. He was much smaller in size than its predecessor and had an unremarkable body, which resembled that of the previous rear-wheel drive models strong. In the equipment lines The Delta 88 Royale Brougham Royale was available as a 2- door coupe and 4-door sedan. It was powered in the first year of a V6 engine with 2966 cc displacement, the only 125 bhp (92 kW) at 4800 min -1. delivered. On request, a 3785 cc big V6 engine with at least 140 bhp (103 kW) at 4400 min-1 was available, who came from the sister brand Buick. The diesel was completely gone from the engine range.

The following year, the small carburetor V6 was no longer offered because he had proved for the reduced car as too weak. The 3.8 liter petrol engine, which delivered a power of 150 bhp (110 kW) in 1987, an injector version was set aside, the 165 gave bhp (121 kW). 1988 little changed in 1989 fell off the petrol engine. At the same time the name of the car turned from "Delta 88 " to " Delta Eighty- Eight". Also in the model years 1990 and 1991 were no significant changes.

In 1992 the body was modernized. The coupe was gone, it was only the four-door sedan. The engine output increased to 170 bhp (125 kW). The better -equipped sedan now called Royale Royale Brougham LS instead and had a standard ABS. In the two following years, the model was further built unchanged.

1995, they led to the two aforementioned models, a top model Royale LSS. The Einspritzermotor offered since 1987 has been thoroughly revised and was now 205 bhp (151 kW) at 5200 min -1. from. The Royale LSS was also available with a turbocharged engine of the same size and 225 bhp fitted (165 kW). 1996, the turbo engine fell off again and the Royale LSS became its own series. The other models were given a minor facelift. In 1998, all of Delta Eighty-Eight standard is an ABS and an electronically controlled four-speed automatic.

In 1999, the 50th and last year of production of the Eighty-Eight, were no more changes. As of 2001, the Aurora of the second series inherited the model 88