I’m a sucker for good stories – especially old car stories. That’s why I enjoy going to car shows and talking to car owners. Most will gladly open up and tell you all about their car if you ask them. Others will share their car’s story, history, and specs at car shows on a sign, or in this case, a laminated print-out sheet that used the hood latch as an easel. I’m glad the owner did, because I’ve written many, many times here on Barn Finds that I wish I knew the history and story behind a car or truck I’m writing about – especially highly original survivors. This Rip Van Winkle ’67 Oldsmobile F-85 has an interesting past and is looking for its fourth owner.
The current owner’s information sheet states that this 3-on-the-tree manual transmission ’67 Olds F-85 was found eight years ago in a barn in Bartow County, Georgia, where it had sat dormant for 22 years. The second owner brought the F-85 back to life and rebuilt the original 330-cubic-inch V8, added a new radiator, dual exhausts, front disc brakes, and new tires. In the F-85’s cabin, only the carpet has been replaced. The current owner states that the F-85 has been treated to a “recent paint job to its original Saffron color and is free of rust under the car.”
The photos show an attractive ’67 F-85 with its Saffron body paint and Provincial White top looking nice and glossy. The chrome bumpers, trim, badging, glass, and lenses look very good, and there are no signs of rust of accident damage. And although the pastel yellow and white color combination isn’t the most masculine, the F-85’s raised letter tires and mag-type SS-1 wheels do give the coupe a little more sporty look.
There’s only one photo of the F-85’s cabin, but it shows a clean, well-preserved interior that is original except for the replaced carpet. Being the base model, it’s not going to be as well-appointed as the Cutlass, but it’s still a nice interior. The parchment-colored vinyl front seat isn’t ripped or showing excessive wear, the instrument panel and dash look good, as does the driver’s door panel. No photos are shown of the rear seat or headliner.
The engine bay and engine are as clean as the rest of this F-85 where the rebuilt 330-cubic-inch Jet Fire V8 resides. It generated 250 horsepower when new and is mated to a 3-on-the-tree manual transmission. The odometer is listed as 104,000 and its had a new aluminum radiator added. This F-85 continues its southern roots and is now located in Port Orange, Florida. It’s for sale here on craiglist for $19,200 (cash only), and we’d like to thank Randy Johnson for spotting this nice F-85 and sending it our way. The seller says it’s a “rare” car, which I’m guessing is based on production numbers. From what I could find online, only 6,700 of the V8-powered F-85 Standard 2-Door Club Coupes were produced, but I couldn’t find how many of those were equipped with a manual transmission. I’m gonna guess not many.
Nice to see a barnfind back on the road where they belong. Sensible upgrades here RD. Bet its a hoot to drive, and sounds great too. Dr Olds would be happy.
Very nice. I was expecting to see a six under the hood when I saw the 3 in the tree. That 330 is a nice surprise. Bet its a blast to run it through the gears. Nice Olds!!
3 “in” the tree???? Me and my fat thumbs. Let’s just go with 3 speed stick…..
I’d remove the black paint on the rear panel and taillight trim and the added parts store fog lights but other than that, I can’t see much else I would do, at least cosmetically. Looks to be a pretty clean car. Of course, as usual, I would like to see the undercarriage. One bonus, at least you can park it without fear of the car being stolen with the built in anti-theft device. As nostalgic as the three on the tree is, eventually the gearhead in me would probably win out wanting to swap in a four speed Muncie as I love bench seat four speeds. Cool F85 though.
What a blast this car must be to drive! Great to see one after
nearly 40 years. Last one I saw was at a buy here/pay here in
Eloise, Florida in 1987. It was pretty used up when I saw it. The guy must’ve been smokin something as he wanted at least 2K
down and $400 a month for 36 months. Shoot, for what the guy
was charging for it, I could’ve bought a brand new car instead.
And on top of that, he was charging buyers 40% interest on the
unpaid balance. That car was a bare bones model with a straight 6 and a 3 on the tree and radio delete. While I didn’t buy
this car, I did buy a Mustang from him and when the engine blew, I still had to make the $350 a month payments until the car was paid off. After that, I junked it and bought a ’73 Ford
Maverick sedan but that’s another story. Basic beauties like this don’t come along every day.
The column-shifted three speed manual was the base equipment trans in the Olds A-body line well into the 1970s. My 1969 Cutlass wagon with 350 2bbl is similarly equipped. Pretty much makes the car theft-proof these days.
If the ability to drive a stick shift was required in order to receive a driver’s license there would be way more people thumbing rides or riding the bus.