USA vs USA — 1968 vs 1970
| 442 W-30 | Delta 88 Royale Rocket 455 | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 370 hp | 365 hp |
| Torque | 500 lb-ft | 500 lb-ft |
| Engine Size | 7,456 cc | 7,456 cc |
| 0-60 mph | 5.7 sec | 6.8 sec |
| Top Speed | 123 mph | 125 mph |
| ¼ Mile | 13.7 sec | 14.6 sec |
| Weight | — | 4,101 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 2,845 mm | 3,099 mm |
| Length | 5,207 mm | 5,588 mm |
| Units Produced | 1,915 | 105,237 |
| Original MSRP | — | $3,253 |
| Value (Excellent) | $180,000 | $42,000 |
| Collectibility | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Rarity | 8/10 | 4/10 |
It's a closely fought contest. The 1968 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 brings quicker acceleration, greater rarity to the table, and the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Rocket 455 answers with higher top speed, stronger collectibility, better value. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.
Oldsmobile has long offered a diverse lineup, and comparing the 1968 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 with the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Rocket 455 highlights the breadth of the marque's engineering philosophy. On paper, the two are remarkably close in power output, with the 1968 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 producing 370 hp and the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Rocket 455 delivering 365 hp. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1968 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 edges ahead at 5.7 seconds versus 6.8 seconds. Rarity plays a significant role here — with only 1,915 units built, the 1968 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 is considerably scarcer than the Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale's 105,237 examples. On the collector market, the 1968 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 commands a significant premium over the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Rocket 455, reflecting differences in prestige and rarity.