1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Holiday 88 from North America - Comments

Not much has gone wrong with this car since 1985.

Last December, the spindle on the front driver's side wheel broke. The only thing holding the wheel on was the brake assembly. Luckily, I was only going about 25 mph on a small two lane dirt road. Don't think this was a reliability problem. Probably just a freak accident where the grease in the inner bearing melted, causing the rotor to "weld" to the spindle.

The engine was overhauled at 196,000 miles, but I made sure that the original heads were used.

Other than that, the usual parts like a new air conditioning compressor and alternator.

I've also noticed that the cruise control modulator seems to freeze up very often, keeping the speedometer from working. Even one from the junk yard off a car with low miles doesn't take long to break. This was actually replaced when the car was brand new, and I've had to replace it three times in the last two years.

This is a Holiday 88 model with bucket seats, sport steering wheel, center console, and Rallye wheels. Very sporty for a two door tank. I also found out when the motor was rebuilt that it has over-sized valves and seats from the factory (I guess part of the Holiday 88 package).

This 350 has great low-end pull and does not run out of steam at high speeds.

And, it's so comfortable with a smooth ride.

Like others have said, the car is very reliable with cheap parts, and it is simple to repair.

It's hard to find info on the "holiday 88". I have a 1980 version with 98,000 original miles. It has a 307ci which in my opinion is the worsed engine ever! Luckily I have a '78 olds ninety eight with a 403ci. The engine transplant is not far away. Body and interior are soon to follow. It almost killed me to park my 98 but rearend went bad and since she had the optional tow package I can't find one to match. I guess this was the excuse I've been looking for to pull the holiday into the garage and get started!

My opinion... Cadillac ain't got nothin on the old school Olds!

-Andy-

Spfld, MO.

This was my first car that I started driving when I turned 15. Talk about indestructible. The only thing we ever had to do is replace the tranny and a thermostat went out on it once, giving me frostbite on my right foot on the drive home from the floor vents on a -15 degree day. Now, keep in mind this car was the $200 car the kid's dad gets him and it had already been ridden hard and left in the field outside the shop to die. This would have been somewhere around 1988. Still, the thing endured extreme torture. It saw the speedo buried well past the 85 mph mark many times and the engine never once complained. Gravel road rallying was also a favorite. One of my favorite features in the car was how there were 5 ashtrays for the rear seats alone. 1 on the back of each bucket seat, 1 at the back of the center console and 1 on each armrest. Now that's some heavy duty smoking! Also, the bucket seats pushed really far forward, creating a virtual couch in the back for those warm summer nights. Mine was a cream/tan color.

I have a Holiday and it's a gorgeous car. Runs great!! It only has 68k on it and its in mint condition. I hear there very rare and I can't find any info on it. I took it to a car show and a few people were amazed at the condition being it is all original. Any idea where I can get some info and about how much are they worth???

The differences between the Holiday 88 and the regular Delta 88 two-door are detailed in the review: bucket seats and console, rallye wheels. Figure about 10-15% more in value over a standard 88.