Lake Speed's Race-Ready NASCAR 1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88

This 1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88 is a turn-key, race-ready ex-NASCAR competitor powered by a small-block Chevrolet V8 paired with a Jerico 4-speed manual transmission that is connected to an SCP quick-change rear end. This custom-built racecar was owned and driven by Lake Speed during his 1987 campaign and underwent a cosmetic refresh in 2002, having competed in race events as recently as September 2021 at Road America in Wisconsin. Finished in period-correct purple and white with sponsorship logos over a racing-seat interior with a roll cage and harnesses, this Delta 88 is now offered with documentation, a logbook, and a Monogram 1:24 model car kit. As a dedicated race vehicle, this Delta 88 is not street legal and does not come with a title.

The ninth-generation Delta 88 came out in 1986 and was a popular body with several NASCAR teams. This example represents a fully custom racecar build that wears purple and white livery that was refreshed in 2002 including hand-painted sponsorship logos. It was engineered based on a 1981 Hutcherson Pagan chassis with a 110” wheelbase and is fitted with a steel Oldsmobile 88 body that features a smoothed aerodynamic nose with mesh grille inserts, plexiglass windows, and rear spoiler.

The car was campaigned by NASCAR driver Lake Speed who had a racing career from 1980 through 1998. He started his own race team as an owner-driver in 1987 when he competed in 14 Winston Cup races in this very car, scoring six top-ten finishes including a third place at the Coca-Cola 600 and a second at the Winston Open.

Blue-finished steel wheels are wrapped in Hoosier white-letter race tires. Steering is power-assisted, and the disc braking system uses Wilwood six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers in the rear.

The two-seat interior is equipped with a Butler driver seat and a Kirkey passenger seat with harness restraints and a full cabin roll cage. Additional equipment includes a fire suppression system, a detachable steering wheel, switchgear for various vehicle systems, and a racing fuel cell.

Instrumentation is installed across an aluminum dash face and includes race gauges with a predominant 9k-rpm tachometer and gauges for oil pressure, fuel level, coolant temperature, and other vehicle data. Mileage accrued on the chassis is unknown.

The replacement Chevrolet small-block V8 is a dry-sump motor that was sourced from Motor Masters in Hartford, Wisconsin and rated at 650 horsepower. The powerplant has been actively maintained and driven, having competed in race events as recently as Fall 2021. Power is channeled to the rear via a floor-shifted Jerico 4-speed manual transmission with an SCP quick-change rear end.

Photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.

The sale includes an unassembled 1:24 scale Monogram model car kit, a logbook, and a copy of a letter of authenticity. A video of the vehicle being raced at the VSCDA Vintage Festival at Road America from September 17-19, 2021 is available for viewing below.

AUTOHUNTER ADMIN UPDATE 01/04/22 10:35 AM: In-car racing footage has been added.