How many times have you seen a car that seemed uncommon, but had actually fallen into the category of being rare? Well these Oldsmobile F85 Jetfires have become quite rare due to time, and a pesky turbocharger. The turbo systems were often removed, much like on this car, in order to have a viable running vehicle. Although removed, the seller still has the turbo system to whomever may be brave enough to boost this F85 once again. Although a price isn’t set, the seller is willing to trade for a wide array of things. Find it here on craigslist out of Chatsworth, Georgia.
Clean and simple under the hood, this F85 can once more live up to its name of being a Jetfire. The previous owner removed the turbo system, and the car as of now runs beautifully. Under the hood is a very clean and tidy engine bay with little in the way of imperfections. Although there are no images of the turbo system the seller seems to think it is complete, or mostly complete.
Within is an ocean of red, but I have to admit, this interior looks mighty nice. The only thing I can really nitpick is the new sagging carpet in the passenger foot well. The dash looks absolutely mint, and the seats look nice as well. The turbocharger gauge is still present in the center console.
Originally a California car, this Oldsmobile is a reasonable condition survivor. There is some spray paint on the rockers and the lower portions of the doors. The front edge of the hood has some bubbling, and either needs to be repaired or replaced. Shiny and beautiful, the trim is very nice, but the windshield trim, rear roof trim, door handles, and lock mechanisms are currently not installed. There is no mention as to whether or not the seller has these missing items. Although touched up, the paint could likely be buffed to give a nice original appearance. Thankfully rust looks to have missed this F85, as so many of these Oldsmobile’s suffer from rusty floors, and quarters. Jetfire turbos have become rare, and this car is complete enough to return to original condition. If you purchased this F85 would you reinstall the Jetfire turbo system?
As is, it’s worth maybe $6,000. With the turbo it would be worth $16,500 in #2 condition.
I’ve never been fond of WELD wheels (especially the solid ones) but I LIKE this combo w/ the whitewalls! Gives it a “refined performance” look! :-)
Those are not Weld wheels.
Never knew about these, always thought the corvair was the first turbo???
The Olds turbo came out in ’62, a year before the Corvair. I agree, without the turbo, it’s just a F85. It was a hassle, with the “Turbo Rocket Fluid”, an alcohol/water injector (to reduce knocking) but I heard, it was a pretty sound system when operating properly. Reviewers said, it went well, but handling and braking were still 1963. I’d bet the stock turbo setup is pretty rare, good luck finding one, and be ready to mortgage the house ( again) if you do find one. Still a nice find.
The seller still has the turbo setup and a pic would be nice…
’62 Corvair Spyder was introduced in April, just days after the Jetfire.
Win Win for the general
Don’t think I’ve ever said this but due to the rarity of the car and the presence of the turbo (disassembled) this one isn’t overpriced.
Uhh…How do you open the door with no door locks and handles? Kind of a weird thing to be taken off/missing. Like the car otherwise. Beautiful condition interior. Thought turbos were low maintenance type upgrade but never had one on any of the vehicles I have had over the years to this point. Probably others can chime in as to why there would be a need to remove one instead of repair it.
Hi JJ, this could be one reason. I’m sure one of these parts is unobtainium.
http://13252-presscdn-0-94.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/1963_Oldsmobile_F85_Jet_Fire_V8_Turbo_Engine_1.jpg
Considering the exhaust routing, I wonder if it came with oven mitts
Yikes! That looks like a wallet killer. Cool to have up and running, but what a job to replace any or all parts.
…just stick your finger in the hole and push. I would figure that having junkyard in your name, you would have had to do this to get into some cars you came across in yards.
The door handles are there, flat handle shown on passenger inside door pic. You push down on them to lock the doors. 61 to 63 Buick Skylark and Olds F85 operated this way.
Actually, the Corvair and the Jetfire arrived on the scene at the beginning of 1962. The Jetfires were unique that they used a water/alcohaul mixture to cool the turbo. They called it Turbo Rocket Fluid. There was a separate resiviour for it.
the gauge in the console also was equipped with a light to let you know when you were running low on turbo thrust juice or whatever GM called it. sadly many did not heed the warning and many turbo/ 215’s suffered the consequences. GM actually recalled the turbo setup in 63 replacing it with a four barrel manifold instead, wonder how many turbo set ups ended up in a dumpster? four speeds were rare but I am not sure if this one was so equipped?
Them cheap aluminum wheels look good on it .
I can’t remember if these (with the turbo) were rated at 200 or 215 hp. Too bad it isn’t a 4 speed.
they were advertised as a 215 ci. V8 with 215 hp
I had a ’62, 3,500 production versus 6,500 for the ’63. Had a new turbo, many NOS parts, T-10 and the uber rare four speed console, but my heart wasn’t in it. Sold it to a young guy from Anderson, Indiana, always wondered if he finished it. Oil was a big problem with the turbos – people wouldn’t let them spool down and cool down, and the dino oil coked around the bearings and locked it up. I remember when Ford came out with the turbo Mustangs and EXPs, they recommended oil changes at 1,500 miles. I think the four barrel 215 was rated at 200hp, the turbo 215 was 215hp. You can still find someone with the engines and turbos stashed, I imagine the rare parts will be the JETFIRE emblems themselves.