completely out-of-the-blue

Okay, I am going to guess that no one will even know what kind of car this is, but since the Oldsmobile forum sucks :rolleyes: , I thought I'd hit up you all for advice...
Besides my lovely (personal) G20, my family has this awesome 1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale (think giant land yacht--Cadillac like). This moron hit that car and did $800 in damage to the driver's side front fender and door. The damage is enough that the driver's door can't open, and though drivable, you have to crawl across the seat to get behind the wheel. We can't find any places who have a used fender, and because of age, GM doesn't have any new ones... Any ideas?
:confused:

The door probably won't open because the hinges are smashed. This happened to my brother's 91 Cougar when his girl friend backed into it. (note 91 cougar is a big land yacht too almost 18 feet long) When the hinges were replaced the door opend and close fine.

Unfortunately, that isn't it... the way the fender bent, it's the door sqeezing into the actual fender itself---paint on paint contact that will become metal on metal once the paint falls off. I wish it was so easy!

Originally posted by saturntangerine
Okay, I am going to guess that no one will even know what kind of car this is, but since the Oldsmobile forum sucks :rolleyes: , I thought I'd hit up you all for advice...Sorry, but Olds posts still go in the Olds forum. But don't fret! :D Many of our users use the View Today's Active Topics (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/search.php?s=&action=getdaily) function, and will see your post, regardless of which forum it's in. We actually have a decent number of guys who know a thing or two about good ol' Detroit iron (even in "boat" form ;) ) who'll be able to help you out.

Besides, how else will the other forums ever "come to life" unless someone posts in them? :rolleyes:

Since you live in Pennsylvania, it will be up to you if you want to check. Here in New York, specifically the Bronx, Hunts Point has a lot of junk yards and would more than likely have those parts which you are looking for. You might want to either make some calls(via 411) or plan a trip out here and just have a run through the junkyards. That would be the best bet.

try the big buick of similar vintage (lesabre?)not sure how close they will be so check them carefully for character lines and such . possibly caprice parts will fit not sure if the caddy stuff will fit either but i belive all of them came off the big gm full frame rear drive platform ,also try Gm restoration parts they might have new stock for it . problem with the delta series it isnt conisidered a classic (outside the '77 indy pace car series) so parts will be very hard to find .keep combing junkyards maybe eventually youll find a rust free exaple also maybe other years will fit too (im thinking all the way to 84 ) good luck dude

Originally posted by FlossinPrimera
(note 91 cougar is a big land yacht too almost 18 feet long)

The Cougar was around 200 inches long (I don't have the exact measurements), which isn't all that close to 18 feet long (216 inches).

fine, 17 feet long, it still a big ass car.

Stoneage=tech:
Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I'll see what I can do about the other "parent" company parts. Some of the ideas sound pretty accurate. Oh, and just as a smart ass side comment, honey... I'm a girl!!!!! *lol* :p

Heh :D

I wondered what your reaction to "dude" would be :D:D

sorry bout that, didnt know no beatter i couldnt reach over there and do a inboard/outboard check hehehe.is there a profile part where i can get gender before awnering about a fender? also try these guys :
http://www.obsoletechassisparts.com/olds.html
looks like they might have something
by the way what engine is in that land yacht? 307?



"Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?"
Mike

Hey, don't worry about the "dude" comment. I expect it being a girl in a "man's world". I will check again, but I do believe the land yacht (as it has been properly titled) has a 340 engine... You definately seem to know your cars, though! Thanx again! :flash:

A 1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 (first year of the downsized large cars) would, most likely, have a 307 or 350 V8. GM did not have a 340 V8 in 1977.

it is a 350 V-8. Typo on my part, even though I am one of the most car-stupid people out there! :) Thanks for the catch, Hudson!

that land yacht probably isnt worth the money it would cost to fix it, so heres some advice form a professional: get yerself a big crowbar and a 20-lb sledge, and pull the part of the fender tha the door is hitting out of the way, its just metal, it bends.

Originally posted by 327belair
that land yacht probably isnt worth the money it would cost to fix it, so heres some advice form a professional: get yerself a big crowbar and a 20-lb sledge, and pull the part of the fender tha the door is hitting out of the way, its just metal, it bends.

I can't believe anyone even bothered diggin this old thread up! :p We simply donated the car for tax return purposes. The horrid fuel economy and the immense size wasn't worth our frustrations anymore! But thanks for the suggestions!

231 Buick V6, 260,350,403 Olds V8s,350 Chevy V8.