OK, the listing for this 1964 Oldsmobile F85 Cutlass starts out with, “No lowballers, no scammers, no phone codes, no shipper, just bring cash and see the car“. Well, I guess he got my attention…Nevertheless, I am interested in taking a look-see. A non-muscle car version of a model usually seen, and coveted, in full-on muscle car form is always a refreshing find. This Cutlass is located in Carson City, Nevada and is available, here on craigslist for $6,000 (or $7,500 depending on which line in the listing you read), OBO.
While not a 442, this Cutlass is a first-year, A-body, two-door, V8 powered hard-top – a nice discovery. It’s listed as a barn find and the seller states, “It is hard to get pictures as it is in my barn parked by other things“. That’s certainly the case and the images aren’t terribly revealing. There is quite a bit of surface rust evident, especially on the hood, and some more serious corrosion in the bottom of the passenger side quarter panel. The chrome (bumpers) isn’t great but the trim is all in place and still shows well.
With an admitted 126K miles on its clock, this Cutlass’ 290 gross HP, 330 CI V8 engine does turn over but the seller hasn’t tried to start it. I think I’d have to give it a go – a running engine is a substantial sales enhancer. The mileage is concerning but Olds’ V8 engines were as durable as the day is long so there may still be some decent life left to this “Cutlass V8“. The automatic transmission is a two-speed manual, referred to as a Jetaway, a name that Oldsmobile used on more than one automatic gearbox.
The bucket seat-equipped interior has a major-league dust storm going on but that’s typical with true barn finds. There is no description of the innards in the listing but the seat upholstery will definitely need some attention. And speaking of the seats, buckets appear to have been standard equipment in the F85 Cutlass “V8 Sports Coupe” though a center console was an option.
The seller could be interested in working a trade, specifically as he states, “Possible trade, hot rod, rat rod, street rod, motorcycle, Malibu, Chevelle, GTO nova, duster, Lemans, mustang, Camaro, Corvette; might trade for the right Harley Davidson electro glide or road king dresser“. He would seem to have a lot of automotive/wheeled interests! Anyway, this Cutlass sounds like it has good bones, in spite of its mileage and exterior shortcomings. It would be a nice return to yesterday as a basic V8, rear-wheel drive, two-door hardtop, a configuration that is essentially gone from today’s automotive landscape. I’d clean it up and slowly return it to a presentable state, what would your plans include?
Why would someone want to trade a popular (big $) in demand vehicle such as all he has listed, for a run of the mill Cutlass that he cant even be bothered to wash, let alone take some good pictures of ? Trade for a “hot rod, rat rod, street rod, motorcycle, Malibu, Chevelle, GTO nova, duster, Lemans, mustang, Camaro, Corvette; or might trade for the right Harley Davidson electro glide or road king dresser“. ? Really ?
Too lazy to drag the car out for good pictures means the car may be stuck in place, meaning the buyer will have to winch it out. It’s maybe a car with potential and I like these Olds’s, but no way I’d buy this.
Oh boys, the quick to talk @hit from assumptions and short sighted opinions.
‘too lazy’ ya
Or, too busy, too elderly, too much work if dont find a serious buyer, etc..
How about, if your not genuinely enthusiastic,
instead of wasting time and negativity, just dont bother commenting ??
As for me, yes, nice find, and if i were seriously interested i would enjoy assisting the owner in pulling it out of hibernation.
A healthy holiday my fellow auto enthusiasts :)
Rusty, dusty but all there. I’d leave it right there, looks good left right there.
Surprised he won’t trade for Gold bars, silver bullion, real estate, priceless works of art, the Hope Diamond, extensive coin collections, aircraft, etc.
However, about 5K is what this “might” be worth, so the expectations may have to be adjusted…
Bitcoin
$6000 Dogecoin!!!! Lol!!
Or maybe trade for a concrete slab to finish the shop?
I always get a kick out of the ‘ no lowballers ‘ demand. As a buyer, I don’t want to deal with any hiballers, which of course this cutlass character is. It feels like some sort of potential arm wrestle that ends before Elbows can even hit the table.
I agree with The above comment, I think this car would look great staying right where it is,
for the next few decades…….
My grandfather always enjoyed his evening highball.
I think they left out “I KNOW WHAT I HAVE”.
I bought a 64 Cutlass convertible in 1988 after I returned back to the US from a 3 year tour in England. Motor and tranny had just been rebuilt a few hundred miles before. I drove it from Atlanta to Clovis, NM. A rod started knocking outside of Eutaw, Alabama on I20. I pulled into a gas station, and asked the clerk if he knew a mechanic. It so happened, there was an Oldsmobile fanatic close by. He towed the car to his garage, Pulled the engine, found a crankshaft in Meridian, Mississippi, replaced it, the suspect piston, and all the bearings. I never had a problem with the car ever again. Had to sell it in 1995 when I got orders to Korea, and a follow on assignment back to England. I still miss that car. It wasn’t a burner with the 330 and 2 speed, but what a nice cruiser with the top down.
FYI, the first year Cutlass was 1961. Yes, 1964 was the first year they were built on the A-body platform. The 1964s have a lot of one-year-only items like the shaft-mounted rocker arms and the driver side water pump inlet.
There’s nothing like starting a sale in negative terms.
I’ve had a ’64 for about a year in ’65 when I got transferred, nice ride. I think the price is too high and the car should be outside where we can see it.
This Olds looks to have been an original CA black plate car, as I see it has the old front plate with the correct letter “M” (for ’65) designation. Most likely was from the norcal area as CC Nevada is only a couple hours east of Sacramento. I agree the seller should get this in a position to be viewed from all corners, and with a good engine, open trunk, and chassis pix.
Good luck to the seller and his no loballer buyer on this Cutlass.
For some reason you rarely see 1964 model F-85s / Cutlasses. You see more 1965 models. I think many more sold in 1965.
Olds built 181,143 1964 F85/Cutlass models and 212,082 1965s. Not a huge difference.
When I got my orders for my first AF assignment in March1967, having to cross the country from NH to CA, it was apparent that my 61 Falcon wagon wasn’t going to survive the trip so I traded it in on one of these, black with red interior. It was a terrific ride, good looking, plenty of power, comfortable and easy to drive. Unfortunately, on the way back across the country in Dec 68, I burned a valve, at about 120 going across Nevada, and, not having $250 for a valve job, purchased a 69 Chevelle SW for $92 a month, which I could afford. It’s one of several vehicles that I would like to have back.
i have owned a 64 cutlass convert for 25 years it is loaded with nearly every available option red white ,black buckets and console with tach. i love every thing about it lots of one year coool