Forgive me if I cross a line or two here: Unfortunately my 1968 Buick LeSabre has been wrecked by a friend of my brothers (I wasn't driving, and he didn't have insurance!!!). Foolish event, however I don't dwell on the past. Long story, I'll try to keep it short; I've had my eye on a local classic in my neighborhood for over two years. Today it showed up in the driveway with a For Sale sign in it. A good buddy of mine has known of my interests since day one and called me to let me know about it. It's a 1968 Olds Delta 88 with ( I think ) a 455 ci. Absolutely cherry...damn near show room condition...a one owner car. 84 year old man's wife has had a recent stroke and he broke his hip last year and has driven it twice since. I'm buying it tomorrow for $3500. Now, I don't know the comparisons in detail, but this s.o.b of a car looks, drives, and rides JUST like my 68 LeSabre. Hell, if I didn't look to closely I'd never know the difference. QUESTION: (sorry for the length here...) [don't usually apologize for 'length'!!! :beer ] is: What do ya'll know about these cars. Why are they so similar? Is it like a Ford/Mercury thing? If so, I'm even more comfortable with the purchase. I don't feel like I'm getting a 'killer' deal; but am happy to pay the $3500. Any words here are appreciated. Thanks for reading. Tom IV (note the pics of my LeSabre...... :af: :ball: :jd: ) T-boned by a school bus.
Tom, This is like a "sister-car" to your poor LeSabre, just like the 1968 Pontiac Catalina and Chevrolet Impala, these are all GM "B-body" cars. Standard engine was the mighty 455, 4 different types available, three 2 barrel engines and one 4 barrel with 365 HP (or 250 SAE HP) Engine code UN or UO. There were 3 models: Delmont 88, Delta 88 and the Delta 88 Custom. Post your VIN on the board when you have bought the car (and photos !) :TU: Please inform me about this: Reading this, I understand that insurance is personal ? Here in the Netherlands it's the car that's insured, not the driver. So it doesn't matter who is driving it. (with a legal driving license ofcourse) If you own, let's say, 3 cars: you only need 1 insurance ? Here we have to insure every car separately
Wait a minute...455 in 1968? I thought the first year for engines this size for GM was 1970. Correct me if I am wrong here though! Erik, your question about insurance is valid. We do need insurance on every vehicle we own in most cases, but it does get complicated from there. In Ohio we must carry proof of insurance cards at all times showing we have at least liability insurance. Full coverage is optional. The card lists the information about a car too, but the policy will extend sometimes to other cars, such as when you drive a friends car. Also, if you buy a new car, and have full coverage insurance, your policy will cover you for 30 days in the new vehicle without even notifying your insurance company. Dang, it gets even more confusing from there. o No:
Derek. Oldsmobile introduced the 455 engine for model year 1968 (so that's autumn 1967) Buick and Pontiac introduced their 455's for model year 1970 :Smarty: Thanks for your answer about the insurance :TU:
Uhhhh...better read your policy. Two of the companies I represent allow you 14 days to report a newly acquired auto, not 30 days. Your best bet is to notify your agent BEFORE you pickup the car and then call back with the VIN and such. Don't rely on the dealer to call your agent, I've had many cases where someone buys a car and the dealer tells them they will call me and never do. Creates quite a problem when an accident happens. No insurance, suspended license, etc. It's up to the policyholder to notify me that they purchased a new car and provide me with the information to add it to the policy.
Brad, I was waiting for your reply :laugh: I cannot speak for all insurance companies after all I guess. State Farm does allow 30 days IF you have full coverage only. I should have stated that. Wow, I learned something new today! 455 in '68..I never knew. I thought 70 was the first year for anything that big.
when I was a child my grandmother had a '68 Delta 88 and it's been a while but I could swear it was a 350 Rocket engine. The car was mint and she sold it for one or two hundred bucks in the late seventies when you couldn't give big cars with v8's away. Very nice cars though I rode around in it quite a bit way back. In fact there's a few Olds I like. :TU:
well...I picked it up. VERY sweet old car. Quick shot of carb cleaner, new plugs and whammo...good as she'll get. It's been a fun two days detailing it out. Pics below..
