In 1964, General Motors shifted some of its compacts to a mid-size platform. The move included Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile – with the latter fielding the F85 and Cutlass models. There were plenty of F85s on the road in ’64, but how many could have been built as station wagons with a factory 4-speed manual transmission! That’s what the seller says we have here, which we guess was specially ordered as most 4-speeds were found in the 4-4-2 coupes and convertibles. Located in Manteca, California, this speedy wagon is well-used but in great apparent condition. It’s available here on craigslist for $13,000 OBO (trades considered). Kudos to Tony Primo for the rare tip!
We need to apologize for some of the pics. The seller took mostly low-resolution photos. So rather than blow them up to where they’d be grainy, we combined a few. Which is a darn shame because this is one cool wagon. Out of 546,000 vehicles that Oldsmobile built in 1964, 156,000 were in the F85/Cutlass family. And yet only 4,000 were produced as F85 station wagons. We’re betting most of them had automatic transmissions, so how small might the population of 4-speed wagons be from Oldsmobile in 1964? And surviving today?
The seller says the M-20 tranny is from the factory, paired with a 330 cubic inch V8. It left the assembly line with a 2-barrel carburetor which has been switched to a 4-barrel thanks to an “adaptor” (does the seller mean the manifold was changed?). This wagon has seen 154,000 miles, yet it looks to be in good physical condition (body, paint, and interior). We’re told the transporter sports a new set of shock absorbers with no known other work needed. It was built in the same state where it resides today. Bet this thing chirps the rear tires when the back end isn’t carrying weight (like a bunch of kids to soccer practice).
Dr Olds hot-rod for the family 👪. 🏁
Cool car at what appears to be a very reasonable price. If I was in the market for something right now I’d go look at it.
Steve R
Aside from the unique tranny, (the automatic option was the 2 speed super turbine 300 called the jetway), this was the first year of the 330ci V8 which replaced the aluminum 215ci V8 in the cutlass F85 series. The 330 was one of the early adopters of the new thin wall casting techniques that delivered a lighter V8 at a low cost. All the 330’s had forged cranks and proved to be durable and powerful. The first 442 option in 1964 used the 330 with a 4bbl, dual exhaust and 4 speed. It was over 10:1 cr and had a special high lift long duration cam so this wagon could be updated to create a lively runner with the original engine. It has a shorter wheelbase than the vista cruiser and weighs a lot less too. Nice car, been looking for an olds wagon but too far away. The lucky winner will get a great fun car
A business owner in my town purchased a 67 Vista Cruiser in a light blue metallic with a 4 speed, buckets, console and the SSl wheels. Drooled over that car when he bought it…
A business owner in my town purchased a 67 Vista Cruiser in a light blue metallic with a 4 speed, buckets, console and the SSl wheels. Drooled over that car when he bought it… this appears to be a very nice car.
The 60’s and early 70’s were great times to be a car buyer. Unlike today where the automaker (and the government) decides what kind of car and equipment we drive, back then you could buy just about anything you wanted. A Cutlass wagon with a 4 speed, no problem. A 4 door Impala with a 409 and a 4 speed, sign right here. A fully loaded Galaxie convertible with the base 6 cylinder and column shift 3 speed, pick your color.
To the writer, Trans-Dapt, Mr Gasket, Edelbrock and others make adapters to install 4 bbl carbs on 2 bbl intakes, 2 bbl’s on 4 bbl intakes and even 2×2 bbl carbs on 4 bbl intakes. Below is a link to one from Trans-Dapt.
https://pitstopusa.com/products/trans-dapt-carburetor-adapter-4-bbl-carburetor-to-2bbl-manifold
Take A Breath, Sheez.
Fox, there is some truth on both sides. Since the 1970’s some cars were precluded from sale in California, you couldn’t buy a manual transmission 78-80 Z28, the 403 was also the only engine available for several years. There are also regulations that are effectively back door bans such as emissions and mileage requirements as well as mandates requiring percentages of zero emissions vehicles. Most of those were mandated and will be phased in starting over the next couple of years, that’s how California works, they pass laws and regulations to look good for their next election, but the consequences of those policies will need to be dealt with by their replacements.
Steve R
I saw this on CL a few days ago and immediately showed my wife. She likes wagons and I love Olds…so, I was hoping to convince her we needed to go look at it. We just put a good chunk of change in our home last spring / summer, so financially not the best timing, but the urge is strong. Unfortunately, my wife knows me too well. She stated, it’s not just the cost of the wagon, but also the inevitable thousands you’ll spend on interior, parts, etc. And then of course, the hours I will spend in the garage – which lately has been quite a few as I pulled the Muncie in my 442 for a rebuild. Then, not being able to leave well enough alone, I promptly started down the rabbit hole of doing other things. Like she says, “it never ends.”
Cool, uniquely optioned wagon. I used to see a black Buick mid-sized wagon at a car show in Hastings, Mn., just a little SE of the Twin Cities.
This wagon also had a 4-speed. Didn’t look like a conversion from a column automatic or anything like that was done. Just a shift plate.
I think this wagon is neat, but uberweird. The original owner knew exactly what he wanted and ordered it from Olds. There’s no way a dealer would have bought such a car to have it in stock.
I am wondering if the mechanical condition is as good as the seller claims, though. Cars in the sixties weren’t built to last 150,000 miles without major repairs… including one or two engine rebuilds.
You are right Jerry! American cars of this day were hitting the end of life at 70-80K miles if not maintained. You can’t judge these cars by todays standards!
But if they were properly maintained, they could last a long time, especially cars from the sixties. My parents bought a new Malibu 2 door hardtop with a 283 and a 3 speed in 1966. Ten years later, I bought it with 113,000 miles and drove it for eleven me years, most of the later years by my wife. Twenty one years after its birth, it still had the original clutch and did not burn oil. Obviously, my dad and I maintained it meticulously and it was still a beautiful, strong running car when I replaced it with a 15 year old Volvo wagon, one a the few wagons I could find with a manual.
I grew up with these cars around me and today have no interest in old American iron…. but…… this one with a four speed is unique. I would love to drive it!
I would take this over any SUV. I love wagons and this one with a manual is a gem.
I like the comfort of a bucket seat over a bench seat but I love the LOOK of a bench seat and 4spd.
My dad ordered a new ‘65 Vista Cruiser that we picked up at the dealer upon the family’s return from Germany – May of 65. Black, red interior, the extra seat in the “way back”. 4 speed manual, 330, 2 bbl. It would chirp 2nd and 3rd….
Lovely looking car. I hope it goes to a good owner, someone to enjoy the car and carefully maintain it. If only more pictures were posted on Craigslist.
This car brings back great memories for me. My dad was always an Oldsmobile guy and he purchased a brand new, green 1964 F85 wagon (Automatic) for my mom from Riach Oldsmobile in Seattle. My two brothers and I spent hundreds of hours in the backseat of that wagon traveling everywhere in the United States, even went cross-country once! Dad had a 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire. We had the F85 wagon until 1971 when my mom got a new AMC Sportabout! Great memories, and cool pictures!
I love it. After spending 20k+ on my still unfinished 64 Chevelle wagon, the Olds seems a bargain!
I’ve always liked wagons from the 60s and early 70s. My favorite is the Vista Cruiser but this one with the 4-speed would be just fine.
IF ONLY! I was in a position to buy this car I would be on my way right now! I don’t know for sure, but the popularity of these cars is taking off. I don’t know why, maybe us pick up guys are aging and now we all want station wagons. I know for sure this is the one I want.
Wow! Factory 4-speed wagon. Don’t see many of those.
My very first car back in 1971 was a 1964 Olds F85 2-door convertible, 330 cid 4- barrel, 2spd trans/console shifted. Red with white buckets and white top.
Sold it after entering the military after HS in ’73. Really didn’t know what I had at the time.
I think I remember Car And Driver hot rodding an Olds Vista Cruiser back in the ’60s. Don’t remember if had a manual or auto tranny
I think they called it Cousin of Boss Wagon – the original Boss Wagon was a Plymouth Fury wagon I think, ’66 or so. I believe in ’68 they talked GM into supplying (building) a “442” Vista Cruiser wagon. 455 powered (that engine wasn’t available in the 442’s then), automatic, with a decent suspension, wheels and tires. It was a beast for its time. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15142239/oldsmobile-vista-cruiser-455-road-test-archived-review/
The article is available online if you Google “Car and Driver Oldsmobile wagon”. It was a 68 with a transplanted 455, it was an automatic.
Steve R
What a sweetheart of a car. You’re not likely to see another one like this.
I’ve seen 4 speeds in Chevy Kingswood Estate wagons, Grand Prixs, but never a mid-size GM wagon. Very cool. And if you take it to Coffee and Cars, there won’t be another.
Yes!