You had been by no means imagined to see this advert, however you do need to test it out.
You had been by no means meant to see this advert. However you’ll need to look, as a result of it’s fairly cool. Stripped from the pages of Legislation & Order journal (1953-2016), this advert for the 1968 (and 1969, apparently) Oldsmobile 88 Delmont is putting for 2 purpose: First, Oldsmobile wasn’t actually recognized for constructing law-enforcement pursuit autos, and, secondly, that 390-horsepower quantity.
Then, as now, Ford offered a large number of autos to the law-enforcement group, as did Chevrolet and Plymouth. Ford sort of owns the phase now. Oldsmobile, nevertheless, retailed luxurious and near-luxury automobiles, making their police-car choices a bit expensive for many police departments and federal businesses.
1968 Oldsmobile Apprehender
However, not solely did this cop-prepped Olds 88 come endorsed by the parents at Widespread Mechanics, it promised to be among the many quickest accelerating cop automobiles in service—when correctly outfitted.
The “Apprehender”
Now, that is advert is for one thing referred to as the “Apprehender,” which was by no means an precise Oldsmobile mannequin. As an alternative, Olds referred to any fashions in its lineup fitted with the model’s Police Apprehender Package deal, which could possibly be had on nearly each Olds together with the compact F-85, midsize Cutlass and Cutlass Supreme—together with the Vista Cruiser station wagon–and the full-size Delmont 88 and Delta 88 full-size automobiles.
Apprehender Fashions
The one fashions not accessible with the Apprehender Package deal for 1968 had been the luxurious Delta 88 Customized, all the Ninety-Eight lineup, and the personal-luxury Toronado coupe. We’ll get again to the Toro in a second…
Oldsmobile “L32” Engine
The advert proven right here boasts of the automotive’s 390-horsepower engine, which was, even by Oldsmobile big-block-engine requirements, a reasonably large quantity, however you Needed to pay further for it. The 88’s Apprehender bundle got here normal with a thumping 365-horse 455-cubic-inch V8. However, for little or no more money, the ’68 Delmont 88 police automotive could possibly be upgraded with the “L32” 455-inch engine, which was rated at an enormous 390 horsepower. That tied the police-package 88 for second place amongst all Oldsmobile fashions in horsepower.
Hurst/Olds
Additionally boasting 390 horsepower was the Cutlass-based 4-4-2 “Hurst/Olds.” This overachieving Olds muscle automotive boasted the identical model of the 455 V8 because the Apprehender 88, plus a novel Hurst-brand 4-speed manual-transmission shifter.
Toronado Trumps All
So, what’s higher than 390 horsepower? How about 400. Oldsmobile’s flagship mannequin, the Toronado personal-luxury coupe, got here normal with a 375-horse 455 variant, however may solely be had with a 400-horsepower step-up choice. The expensive “W34” improve ($211) included cold-air induction, a efficiency camshaft, and twin exhaust. Although the W34-powered Toronado was the most-powerful Oldsmobile of 1968, it was unlikely the quickest, as the massive coupe was famously pudgy.
Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile
So, although the police Oldsmobiles of any stripe have at all times been uncommon, do you have to see one, particularly an Apprehender 88. Do suppose twice earlier than trying to outrun it. Interval specs have the automotive hitting 60 mph from a cease in simply 6.0 seconds, and topping out at 120 miles an hour. No, that is not your father’s Oldsmobile. And, you by no means noticed this advert.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
Oldsmobile Apprehender Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photographs
Legislation-Enforcement Insanity! 35 Police Automobile Brochure Covers
