Make: | Oldsmobile |
Model: | Eighty-Eight |
SubModel: | Royale Brougham |
Type: | Sedan |
Trim: | Royale Brougham |
Year: | 1985 |
Mileage: | 59178 |
VIN: | 1G3BY69Y4FY374909 |
Color: | Blue |
Engine: | 307 V8 |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Interior color: | Blue |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | Fort Worth, Texas, United States |
Who would have suspected that a full-sized Olds with dark blue paint, four doors, and a padded landau roof could look this good? This 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham was the top-of-the-line that year, and with V8 power, full-sized comfort, and plenty of options, this low mileage land-yacht totally sheds its reputation as Grandma's car and becomes a cool collectable that you won't duplicate at a show. 1985 was a big year for the Delta,... as it marked the last year before a major downsizing of the model, not to mention the final year to feature rear-wheel drive, Rocket V8 power, and body-on-frame construction. OK, so dark blue isn't the most exciting color, but remember this is a big, formal Oldsmobile we're talking about here. The important thing is that this one has led some kind of charmed life, because it's still in very good shape considering the 34 years it's been doing its thing. With only 59,178 original miles, it still looks quite fresh and thanks to years of careful maintenance, the factory paint still shines well, although with some of the flaws it's more of a driver quality finish today. GM was famous for their long doors even on the 4-door models, but the big Olds carries the look with grace and despite their heft, the doors still fit well and don't sag on their hinges. Things like the flexible fender caps that house the taillights are in excellent shape, and the chrome bumpers and ample brightwork shines up nicely up against the dark blue finish. Even the navy blue padded roof remains supple and smooth, with no signs of trouble lurking underneath, since this car has always lived indoors. Acres of lush blue velour cover the interior and to be honest, it looks awesome! First, the condition is remarkable with minimal wear on the seating surfaces and carpets, but even more remarkable is that the blue-on-blue really works well in this big sedan. Pillow-tufted upholstery and wide bench seats make this one of the finest highway cruisers of all time and while it certainly dates the car, it has a definite dignity and class to it that lesser cars can't match. Everything was standard on the Brougham, from A/C and power windows to a tilt wheel and cruise control. There's plenty of handsome wood applique that looks the part, but that's part of the charm, too, and the original instruments are bright and well-marked. A Kenwood AM/FM/cassette stereo is fitted in the dash and sounds decent in the unbelievably hushed interior, which admits nary a whisper at highway speeds. The massive trunk will carry as much gear as you need for just about any trip, and includes a full-sized spare. The 307 cubic inch Oldsmobile V8 was the workhorse of the General Motors fleet throughout the '80s, and its smooth torque makes it the ideal powerplant in this heavy cruiser. Other than regular signs of careful maintenance throughout the years, it remains largely stock and quite well maintained underneath the big hood. It starts quickly and idles smoothly, and the stock exhaust underneath provides a subtle soundtrack for the luxurious land yacht. A TH2004R 4-speed automatic overdrive makes highway cruising effortless and efficient, and that pillow-soft ride is compliments of a heavy-duty suspension that was designed specifically for big body GM sedans. The floors are solid, the exhaust and gas tank look newer, and power steering and power front disc brakes ensure that driving this Olds is an absolute delight. Factory steel wheels with wired hubcaps look great, and they're wrapped in fresh 215/70/15 Uniroyal Tigerpaw whitewall radials at all four corners. Documented with its original warranty card, owner's and service manuals, title documentation, and maintenance records, this low mileage Olds is a remarkably preserved piece of American machinery. So recalibrate your attitude, because full-sized Oldsmobiles CAN be cool, even with four-doors. Call today!