San Ramon Street Sighting - 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Holiday sedan

Not many old cars become local celebrities. This can change, of course, if they become known for being associated with a colorful local figure or have a fascinating past, or are just distinctive enough that they attract all manner of art students and photographers who think they look cool.

This 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Holiday four-door hardtop was a treat for me to find. It's one of the cleanest 1970s Oldsmobiles I've seen in a long time and a very solid example. Just how solid, exactly, remained to be seen. Two weeks after I photographed it, this Olds gained a bit of local notoriety when it accidentally obliterated the sign in front of a Louisiana-style restaurant. The only damage to this mighty, minty battlecruiser was a small dent and part of the front bumper's rub strip tore off. Hopefully repairs will be (or have already been) made and the Delta will return to the glory seen in these photos. It really is a nice car, and the young man who owns it is lucky to have such a cool piece of '70s budget luxury. So many of these cars end up with candy paint and big rims, so it makes me happy seeing a factory stock one appreciated by the next generation. I'd like to see the vinyl top get some attention before it starts trapping water in the torn spots.