Coolest Cars of the 70s: 1976 Olds 98 Regency vs. 1975 Olds Delta 88 Royale - Interior Design
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- Checkout this interior design analysis of the 1976 Oldsmobile 98 Regency and 1975 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale with Adam and Marc. Learn about the origins of the Regency trim and also about the cost cutting measures evident at GM in the 1970s.
See Part 1 for an Exterior Design comparison of the two cars here:
• Coolest Cars of the 70...
Those plushly upholstered seventies interiors still seem normal to me, but I've noticed that they strike young people as very odd, even ridiculous. The comment about interiors like this simulating the comfort of seventies home furnishings is right on. That's exactly the feeling I got in relatives' and neighbors' seventies Chrysler New Yorkers, Lincoln Town Cars, Buick Electra Limited Park Avenues, and even Oldsmobile Cutlass Supremes. You felt ensconced in almost sleep-inducing comfort, billowing velour wherever you looked.
Who cares what young people think about anything? They're clueless.
I can understand. My stepfather once owned a triple gold 1990 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue with Mark Cross leather seats that were so comfortable you practically fell asleep every time you sat down in that car.
Well, to sum it up, I believe you had to experience these beautiful cars first hand, I'm grateful that I did I actually feel sorry for today's kids, they have nothing to hold onto in our beloved American car culture.
Could listen to both of you forever. Amazing detail knowledge. I wish there was a channel like yours also for 70s mid-size vehicles, so I could learn a bit background infos about my 75 Buick Regal. Especially here in Germany real experts like you are hard to find.
Just wait…
Thank you for following up with the interior session so soon and I enjoyed hearing the backstory about Blaine Jenkins from Marc. Those overstuffed, loose cushion seats scream 1970's decadence but look so plush compared to the hard planks in today's cars. I appreciate Marc's wealth of detail knowledge and hope you feature him in future videos. You guys have a great chemistry!
Huge fan of your videos. All of them. Thank you for your interest and time!
Wow, so informative, lot of great information here showing how cost was factored into the overall design.
In 1994, I bought a 1979 Olds 88 Royale 2-door that had the separate look tufted seat-back. Only car I ever loved. Tacky as hell, poofy landau roof, Seventies Earth tones and Rallye wheels. A friend of my sister called it "Tom's Goldfinger car.". 55,000 one-owner miles, for $1,500.
My 84 delta had the same seats. We referred to them as pillow top seats.
I had in 1986 a 1972 delta 88 coupe . Basic level with 350 rocket . Loved all the body details in that car .
My dad had a '72 Delta 88 Sedan in 1987
I love the 98 Regency. Dad and I owned several of them over the years.
You two are great together! Not only knowledgeable and enthusiastic but *totally hilarious*. Really enjoyed this series11
These videos bring back so many memories from childhood. I appreciate you highlighting these cars which are overlooked by many. So many pieces of trivia - for a lot of older GM folks, this stuff is gold
Mine also. I remember these cars new, when I was a kid.
Man I would Love to see him do one on the Cadillac Coupe deville 1979
Glad and so happy to watch this video, my father had a 1979 Olds Regency 98 Coupe that I helped pick out when I was a young teen. Maroon with a tan/beige padded roof and tan/beige leather, what a beautiful car, wish we still had it, nothing rode as good as that car. Also I had made over 1,600 molds in my career from US tool makers, Canadian tool shops, Slovak/Czech/Hungarian tool shops, as well as China. Most molds I had made were for the automotive industry. I can tell you that you would make a left and right door panel in one mold (family mold) and run it in a 1,000 ton injection molding machine, with a long cycle time of a 50 to 80 seconds (maybe more) especially of there were metal/steel bushing/inserts to be loaded. I would say this mold in 1975 would cost around $180,000 and even today with the use of China to manufacture it (much less cost than domestic mold manufacturers), you have to account for the steel is more expensive and the added technologies used to reduce the cycle time (hot runner system, better thermoplastic materials used and robotics). Plus today you might be overmolding the process all in one machine or covering it with leather by hand.
WOW I've never seen a Royale without Air Conditioning...I miss our 98 Regencys. The seats were so comfortable esp on long trip
Always enjoy your content as well as your polite demeanor and tone of voice. I’m glad to see that I’m not alone in enjoying your videos. Please continue to compare & contrast models from the same divisions, highlighting what one’s add’l $$$ bought when buying the upper level model. Thanks & keep up the good work!
My Dad's friend had a 73 Olds Toranado and if I am not mistaken he had air bags made out of silk. Great video, Also enjoy Marks insights! Awesome channel.
Air bags were available starting in 1974 as an expensive option on the Toros & 98s to avoid the seat belt interlock system. The thinking was that people who could afford a 98 or Toro would buy the air bag option to avoid mandatory seat belts. My dad ordered them all that way for inventory until the revolt on the seat belt interlock system was stopped.
Our first was a 1970 4 door 98 triple white, 1973 2 door triple white 98 and last 1975 4 door triple white 98. They were all very comfortable and powerful vehicles!
It’s amazing how much of the interior accessories like the clock and radio carried over all the way to the 1984 98.
Very interesting discussion. I love learning about the history of the American automotive industry.
Someone found a air bag equipped impala in the junkyard and tested it....worked perfectly all these years later...
Funny how back in the day I dwelt on what was lost with those mid 70’s cars (smog engines, ugly crash bumpers, and opera windows instead of pure hardtops). What I wasn’t thinking about was what they had that would soon vanish; hardtops, big engines, big roomy interiors, rear wheel drive etc
Just had to point out that on the ACRS Olds dash, the passenger side bag came out from the bottom of the dash, not where the glove box is. The ash tray was moved up and took a space from the glove box under where the clock is. My dad had a 75 Regency so equipped :)
My first ever car was 1977 Olds Delta 88. It had a nice dark "bottle" green metallic paint on it. The car had no punch with the 260 my father had decided to go for. He gave the car to me in the early 90s. The car was clean since it was rarely seen winter. I sure mist the highway driving confort of this car. I had never realized the recessed door handle was a safety improvement nor did I ever imagined air bags were available... Nice to learn from this vidro👍
Takes me back. I remember the being so awestruck at how luxurious the Olds 98 was. I used to ride in one on the way to church wearing my Sunday best.
Great vehicles - if you wished to replace a 66 through 68 GM full sizer - but by 1975, 76 a large segment of car buyers were moving away from purchasing a land yacht. I love the background on the designer of the period, especially the quote regarding "an early seventies living room".
i had a 1978 regency back in the day, great car i made several trips across country in it and was always comfy
Just to clarify, your 1975 Olds Delta 88 Royale does not have brougham trim. The 98 Regency interior became such a hit for Oldsmobile, they decided to adapt it next for their Cutlass Supreme coupe in model year 1976, thus the first Cutlass Supreme Brougham. Sales took off and it was an instant success. Oldsmobile did not offer a brougham interior for the Delta 88 until the 1979 model year, when it was an optional decor package. The Royale Brougham seat design was similar to the 98 Regency except instead of having a full loose cushion look backrest, the 88 Royale Brougham had a half cushion at the top and a more traditional seat panel below. The door armrests were also changed from the base 88 Royale. In 1980, the brougham interior became an official new model... The Delta 88 Royale Brougham, and carried forth for many more seasons. Your car does indeed have the crushed velour interior. Regular velour was a smooth finish fabric and crushed velour was heavier and had a wrinkled look. Such fabrics also tended to make sliding across the seat somewhat more difficult but held you in place around turns more effectively.
In addition, door courtesy and warning lights were an option on your '75 Royale, as well as any full size Delta 88... base or Royale. Oddly enough, the door lights were standard equipment on the 1969, '70, and '71 Delta 88 Royale coupes and the 1971 Royale convertible. Sadly, for 1972, Olds decided to decontent the Royale and expand the offerings to include a four door hardtop and pillared sedan. Gone too were the door lights, 455 engine (replaced with the standard 350), and the distinctive closed in rear window with lavalier straps on the coupe models. For '72, the seat design was downgraded to the 1971 Delta 88 Custom trim. Essentially, the '72 Royale replaced the '71 Custom.
Lastly, not all C body cars had the same door armrest style as the '76 Regency shown here. The 98 LS and base Buick Electra Customs had a door trim used since the early seventies. The 98 Regency and Buick Electra Limited shared similar lower door trim that debuted for model year 1975. Cadillac used a completely different and less distinctive lower door trim that had been used since 1971.
We had a 1973 olds 98 LS. Great memories of the fancy clocks and luxurious interior. It had black interior too. Loved that car when I was a kid. Felt like it was a Cadillac.
My Dad had the 1972 in Tiffany Gold and the rather rare beige interior. Absolutely my favorite car, ever. Too bad that we lived in Cleveland and the winters and salt did it in. So sad, I would do anything to have it back, and my Dad as well.
The 98 would be a great car to take a long nap in, those seats are so comfy looking.
Both interiors look very comfortable, the 98 Regency of course is a little more opulent!!! Thanks for sharing this comprehensive comparison!!! 👍👍🙂
Beautiful!! ACRS mention, no one even knows about it, great video!!!
The first Delta 88 Royale was 1969 - it was the new top-of-the-line 88 model available only as a Holiday Coupe. Oldsmobile wanted a "special coupe" model along the lines of the Chevrolet Caprice Coupe with it's exclusive "Chevy-only" formal roofline. That Oldsmobile went to the expense to give the Royale Coupe a "limousine-like" formal rear window treatment was very unique. By 1972 the special roof treatments were discontinued, as the '72 Royale Coupe was just a top-line Delta 88 2-door trim level. Good to see a 1975 Royale without any vinyl roof - very rare.
Nice hearing about some of the "behind the scenes" people like Blaine Jenkins as well as the cultural paradigms of the times that influenced the design of these cars. It sounds like Marc has some industrial engineering experience with his knowledge of tooling and manufacturing methods.
Great series, gentlemen!
Please bring more cars like that! Love that era!
Just a great, educational video...kudos! Brings back memories...my Grade 4 teacher had a HUGE Olds 98 that I would see in the parking lot. Later on, I would own a '78 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale...great car...it never let me down.
Brings back memories of my grandpa's '72 Ninety-Eight 4-door hardtop that he had into the mid-1990's. I always was amused by the placing the climate controls to the left of the steering column and only in reach for the driver, while the other vehicles in the family had them much more democratically placed in the center stack.
its awesome that the passenger cant touch the controls!
Yeah, I picked up on that too IMMEDIATELY. I KNOW WHAT YOU were thinking Mr. Olds designers.
0:05 - Wow, that's an unexpected blast from the past. All the cars of my childhood had those slidey plastic things on the shoulder belts. I haven't thought of them in years, probably decades, but the instant I saw that one, it came back to me. It's such a distinctly '70s thing.
Oldsmobile were really a great car brand my dad's side of the family were all Olds buyers. My mom's side was Chevy and my grandpa worked at GM from early 50's - 79' when he passed away sadly. But after Olds went the other way my dad went to Mercury Marquis in the 80's up because he wanted Town car but wanted the Mercury price so 86' till 18' he was a big Mercury buyer.
Hey Adam, I just finished parts 1 and 2 of the Oldsmobiles 88, and, and 98 Regency. Between you and Marc, you provide a lot of real information that's good to know, and not being a GM guy myself, it was new to me. Admittedly, I'm a little jealous of you guys who have careers in the auto industry. While I had a great career at the IBM Corporation, living in Los Angeles, it would have been difficult to have worked in the auto industry. I was born in Detroit, but if my parents had stayed there I like to think I too could have had a career in the auto industry. My dad's side of the family was with Ford Motor Company, and my mom's was at the Chrysler Corporation. Back in the 70s, the big GM cars didn't much interest me, they just seemed big and non disscript, but as I'm getting older, I am gaining more of an appreciation for them. My parents owned a 1976 Lincoln Town Car, it too had the loose cushion seats. The car was Dark Red Moondust Metallic with matching velour interior. Talk about 70s decadence that Town Car had definitely had it. In any event, as usual I did enjoy your video. It's a little bitter sweet, I love reminiscing over those cars, I sure do miss them. Your videos keep them alive. Thanks again. Also, featuring Marc makes for great videos.
I had a '76 Olds 98 LS that I drove for 10 years. It had every option that the Regency in this video has as well as the delay wipers, Twilight Sentinel headlamp system, center map light where the visors latch in place, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and Positrac rear end. I found the LS seats much more comfortable than the Regency seats; which were too soft and lacked support.
First of all, great audio. So much wonderful information. Well done.
Back in the 80's I worked for a man who provided supplies and a system for ready made pizzas in grocery stores. He had a Delta Royale(?) which accumulated many hundreds of thousands of miles in supreme comfort (We had a Volare station wagon at the time) what a yacht. Loved riding in that thing. Might have been a '76(?).
my dad had a new 1982 OLDs 88 he had it untell 2014 the tran went out at 121K
I would love to see you guys tag team a 71-76 Cadillac in a grand roast! My heart may belong to the Cadillac wreath and crest, but you're definitely right: during these years, the other GM brands were honestly building better full sized cars than Cadillac.
I’ve owned about 6 Cadillacs from that period…and sold them all because of that ;)
So much information. Cost vs design. Very cool. Love this !
The 1975 also had foot rests like the Cadillac. My dad has a regency LS, which had the clock in the back as well as the foot rests.
Just finished mowing the yard. Perfect video to watch while I sit on the porch and cool off
Amazing videos guys, thank you so much!
Adam, After much consideration, my vote goes to the 75 Delta 88 Coupe. The design seems more coherent.
@Right Lane Hog
I agree my Dad bought a brand new 1974 Delta 88 Royale Coupe almost identical to the car Adam had but with a nylon style cloth but same design as Adams, and AC as well. (Metallic Green ext/green int, and vinyl top) It was a great car, and the seats were incredibly comfortable for the day they were made. They were a tiny bit firm, but still yielding! AC could freeze you out. Ride was compliant but the car could handle very well if you needed it to. Rocket 350 engine was very powerful as well, it could definitely get out of its own way, but could also cruise at 80 mph if required all day. Owned it until it rusted away in the late 1980s. A very good car for the money, and very reliable too.
My Olds is 425hp, 1966 Toronado Survivor... My friend has a '66 98 LS. One day they will face off...
The factory 1966 Olds Toronado had a 385 horsepower 425 CID V-8.
That deep pocket in the passenger front door looks about the right width for the old foldable road maps.
The large Oldsmobile's from 71-76 were my favourite. Never could afford one.
The 98s had some really super comfy riding and driving assets I loved them. My aunt had a 70 98. It was white with a blue crushed velour interior. I took it on several trips and fully enjoyed them all.
Such knowledge and insight between these two men.
The simplification to semi-auto Tempmatic and the flatter dashboard disappointed me at the time, but I do agree that the Regency interior looked more plush (garishly so) than the corresponding Cadillac, having owned 1973 and '76 de Villes, and a 1974 Fleetwood. The Cadillac armrests never changed in the 1971-76 run, so thankfully these blocky later Electra/Ninety Eight units were not adopted.
Excellent video! Mark's perspective is incredible.
Look at the distance between PARK and L, on the gear selector indicator of those cars! I'd say that it's at least four inches!
As a kid, I rode in one of those 98s with the clock in the front seatback! You can see where the ashtray and lighter would go, when that passenger door lower/armrest was used in the Caddy...
Those kick panels with manual vent provisions, on the 88, have got to be some rare birds!
I took drivers ed (1975) in a 4 door delta 88 in Fayetteville NC. Seats were like a big couch. My instructor fell asleep while I was driving. When he woke up, we were in Lumberton. Heck, I had a full tank and freedom, could've been in Florida if he slept longer!
Thank you for posting this video. I know Marc and have worked with him. He is such a great designer and just a wealth of interesting information.
I like his accent. I could listen to him talk nonstop about almost anything. I wonder if he's Irish or Scottish?
Bring Marc back for more discussion videos. Great Q&A.
My Dad would get a new olds 98 as a company car every 2 years from the late 60s to the late 80s. IMHO the high water mark was his 69 98 LS. It had a a center post with frameless windows. When they were downsized in 77 the company started giving him 98 Regencies. Very nice cars but nothing but problems. When he retired he bought the last company car he had. It was the worst of the bunch. He sold it shortly after. The dealer who bought it was driving it away when it caught fire on the Schuykill Expressway in Philly causing a huge traffic jam. The Old Man got to watch it burn on the evening news.
I liked the clean look of the mid 70s GM interior dash. They had 100 mph speedometers, which came about following the 1973 energy shortage. They made their debut in the 1974 Cadillacs.
I just love them Oldsmobiles, like my '80 Delta 88 Royale.
Really enjoyed the video so fascinating and informative!😎 I loved riding in the cars with those plush velour interiors. I had a family member who had a '79 Royale that was silver with the black velour interior, they kept it long enough that I was actually able to drive it in the mid 80s, and at that same time. I have a friend who had an '83 four-door Regency with the leather interior and if I remember correctly I believe it was with the button tufted pillow cushions. Both were extremely comfortable vehicles for sure !
As a boy in the 70's, the wealthiest family in the neighborhood - a dentist - had a 75 Custom Cruiser. In 1982, the family sold that car to a girl in my high school. Maybe Adam will buy a 71 to 76 full-size GM wagon someday.
Those are exceedingly rare because most were destroyed in demo derbies years ago given their length.
I. Had one of those 1976 98s it was a very good car Loved it
Beautiful car's ! Also, I don't know what that man's accent is, but I could listen to him talk all day. 😀
I had a 1979 black Cutlass Supreme Brougham with t-tops. Oddly it did not have bucket seats or a center console. It had a splint bench that was very similar to the interior of this Regency. The seats were black and had very fine vertical white pinstripes on the pillow cushions. Very comfy. Got rid of it for a 1988 Cutlass Supreme Classic. How I wish I still had both cars.
Hi Adam, I always liked the 1976 Regency and Park Avenue interior and body styles ✌
This is a great guest! and you two have an excellent rapport.
The analog clock is much better looking than the "digital" one.
I had the "digital" one in my 80 chevy caprice. Good design was canted toward the driver for visibility. Ran off the battery, the numbers would rotate on cylinders and were very accurate. Never had a problem with it.
My best friend called the "crotch coolers" on my car "nut dryers."
Daddy called them "cooter coolers"
I still cant believe iam not paying for this content.
You can push the superthanks button if you like.
This interior looks like a New Orleans Bordello
1964 Bonneville had a center vent in the Dash and eyeball vents built into the end of the Dash of AC cars. They did have two lower vents added on. I have no idea what they looked like without AC as I never saw one without it.
I had a caprice of that vintage. 2 door hard top. Is was pretty much shot by time I got it and we lovingly referred to it as the dog car.
Adam, would it be possible to find the interior designer for Oldsmobile in the late 70s? We had a 79 Olds Cutlass Salon Brougham (the aero back four door) with the "Tahoe" interior trim. I believe the take rate was fairly low and I believe it was a 79 only trim option. It resembled a saddle blanket and I believe resembled the cushions used by ranch oak furniture at the time. While the appearance was trendy, the seats were a cloth/velour trim that was comfortable to sit on and was fairly durable. Seven years later, my parents purchased an 86 Pontiac 6000 LE which had a simple dove gray velour interior which seemed to be a reaction to the excesses of the 70s.
That "cigarette pouch" on the passenger door of the 98 is ash trays on my 3 1976 Electras. Also, the door courtesy lights were optional with the reflectors you refer to being standard. Also very interesting the 98 has plastic trim on the hood. Buick used metal. As for the remote passenger mirror on the 98, it was optional with a standard 98 not having a mirror on that side at all. Lastly, all the power seat controls for the 71 to 76 C body cars was on the seat. not the door
@17:30 It’s crazy how they wanted to load up that door panel with so much stuff. between the padding, and that tacky strap, the buttons for the power windows and such are half covered. besides, for what is supposed to be an armrest, it is also half blocked by padding
Very nice information. It makes a lot of things make sense. I wondered what happened in the later years as the Eighty Eight got closer to the Ninety Eight in terms a features and shared parts.
He mentioned that all the 76 full size cars shared the same door lowers, but my 76 Fleetwood has a completely different design.
Great information and very nice
Have you (Adam) ever come across an airbag-equipped GM vehicle from ca. 1974-'76 ? I have not seen one personally... Edit: way back when, when I went to wrecking yards, I would love to take different options and interior/exterior trim parts off wrecked vehicles - like take the same color door trim panels off a Ninety Eight and install them on a Delta 88 - stuff like that. I had so much fun back then 🙂
Quick question from a fellow car designer.Has Marc done Art Center in Vevey?Great videos guys.Keep it up!
My 1973 Impala had the separate shoulder belt. I tried it once; the only controls I could reach were the floor controls, the steering wheel and the column shifter.
Beautiful cars......count me as a Ford guy who has a '76 Custom Cruiser on his bucket list.
Oh man Adam, those poooofy interior door panels with the faux wood and ornamental metal trim are over the top. I remember those. :)
Nice that both cars have black interiors.
Interesting to compare these cars with their cousins from 10 years earlier. The extensive use of plastics and, though not discussed in this video, terrible panel fit and of course annoying door clunk on closure really signaled how far quality, materials and assembly standards had fallen in just a decade.
My Brother had bought new a 1976 Oldsmobile 98 Regency for $6300.00 it was a 2 door , silver with red interior, he drove it for 16 years.
Yes I remember the regency Brougham, I barfed out the rear seat and it was on a pea green model....lol
Both of these vehicles must have been “order outs” judging by the optional equipment that each one has. The 88 is the only 1975 model that I have ever seen without A/C. The fuel economy gauge in 98 was a rarely seen option. I worked at an Oldsmobile dealership in 1976 and never saw one. White and black was a very rarely seen color combination by then. Five years earlier, it was quite common.
Surprised they didn’t put an ashtray and lighter in the passenger door instead of the pocket. My Park Ave had the ashtray and lighter as well as the power seat controls. I think I counted 5 ashtrays total and 4 lighters in that car lol
One day i will have a 98 Regency!💪
my fav was my 73 98 coupe ,looking the best body style i think ever made for a 98 -the 76 regency i had after wasnt as stylish body-wise ,but that ride and push interior more than made up 4 it
Thanks!
It looks like on the Regency, that the pull strap on the right front door is directly in the way of the power window and door lock switch
wish you and Marc were college professors in Automotive History: General Motors
You guys are a riot! Not to fear Adam, I kind of prefer your Delta's interior. That tufted layered cushioning is a litte over the top, especially in the upper door panels, and the metal/faux wood strip in the center door panel doesn't look great either. I would think that those tufted pillow treatments on the door panels would interfere with window/lock operation as well. What are the yellow plugs inside the Delta door? Ziebart??
Yes. Ziebart.
The Delta 88 Royale was indeed much more restrained and tasteful than the overt baroque 98.
Very cool
The unicorn would be a Fleetwood Brougham Talisman(cloth) with the ACRS!!!
I never knew they had airbags as early as these cars?