1972 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Royale - Time Capsule

39 years ago it was all about bench seats, vinyl roofs and big engines...

I have a friend who is just crazy about old Oldsmobiles. At last count he had three. A 98, an 88 and one model I can't remember. All of them are pristine. He's had a few others too, but has sold them under the guise of "thinning the herd". The herd stays thin for a few months and then inevitably I get a phone call from him telling me about some car he found that was "too good to pass up".

This one just might get him on a plane to Florida...

There's no real point in writing about performance and handling - especially handling - when it comes to a car like this. The 455 ci "Rocket V8" moves the car at a reasonable pace - given its hefty weight - and the suspension is - as the old blues song goes - built for comfort not for speed.

This car is in absolutely amazing condition. According to the seller, it's a one owner, 23,000 mile car. He says it's sitting on its original H78-15 whitewall tires, which is cool, but a little scary.

I can think of many, many other cars I would buy before this one, but it's really great to see a car like this in this condition. It's hard to believe that cars like this were once commonplace in the USA.

Located in Lakeland, FL, click here to see the eBay listing. (It includes a ton of good, clear pictures.)

PS - Jim, give me a call if you need a ride to the airport!