General Motors redesigned its mid-size automobiles in 1968, and the next five years would be some of their best sales periods. That included the popular Oldsmobile Cutlass, of which more than 14,000 copies were convertibles in ‘68. That’s what the seller seems to have settled on as to what this compact collection of bits and pieces once was. No engine seems to be there, nor do we know if it’s complete or may include parts from another car. Located in Frenchtown, New Jersey, this VIN tag with parts is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $800.
The Cutlass was in its 5th year as an intermediate in 1968. It began as a “senior compact” in 1961 but was promoted to mid-size in 1964, along with others in the GM camp. The A-bodies were all-new in ’68, and the design would continue through 1972 to be replaced by the Colonnade era of 1973-77. If you wanted a Cutlass convertible, this was the last generation to offer them – at least for another couple of decades.
It appears someone took this Cutlass apart and stacked all the pieces nicely on top of the chassis, which we’re told is “rolling.” Considering the flat tires and pieces that could fall off on you, rolling isn’t quite what this thing is. We assume there is ample rust, and what was likely a 350 cubic inch V8 seems to have parted company with the rest of the vehicle.
So, it begs the question, what would you do with this “car” if you decided to take it home? Once you manage to get it loaded on an enclosed trailer (I wouldn’t go with a flatbed), would you harvest the good parts (if there are any) and scrap the rest? The title is clean, and it has a VIN tag, but since this isn’t a 4-4-2, does it offer any real value? Thanks for the eagle eye tip, “Zappenduster”.
This doesn’t even look like a viable parts car. I’m surprised he’s didn’t list it for free to avoid having to pay someone to haul it away.
Steve R
As always, it’s a process for the seller. They only see $$ signs at first. Car guys are dumb fools who’ll pay up for just about anything, right?
When that fails, it all depends upon how soon the pile has to be removed from this particular property. Is the wife demanding that it be gone? Or can it sit comfortably for 5 or 10 more years, stewing it it’s own oxide?
If the property ever sells, then they’ll have to make that hard, final decision to pay a scrap hauler to deal with it before the closing. Or maybe just hope that any new property owner can tolerate it as it is.
That’s largely untrue, many car guys are pragmatic, they tend to operate through word of mouth. They rarely if ever advertise items for sale, if so it’s usually priced to sell quickly in order to minimize random people wasting time. They know the best deals are rarely advertised.
It seems like you have a negative outlook on the entire hobby and everyone associated with it. That’s too bad, but people often get the reception they give.
Steve R
Steve, I think you missed the sarcasm from Bluesman. I believe he was saying that the SELLER is thinking: “Car guys are dumb fools who’ll pay up for just about anything, right?”… Bluesman is not saying that. And I’m guessing Bluesman does not believe that. But Bluesman is spot on in his summary of the process of every fella out there who finds a pile of auto trash and thinks he hit gold.
This guy knows what he’s got.. 😂😂😂not one penny less!
Amazing! (and a side note–I think you have the most thumbs up on any Barnfinds to date, you pegged it)
………Bankruptcy starter kit !!! …….😂
No low ballers. I know what I have.
Just needs a little elbow grease!
It will buff out !
Sure, no problem. They pay me $800 to haul it away. Mention Barnfinds.com and get 10% off.
He’d be better off hauling it to a scrap yard and getting what he can for scrap price, which probably won’t be much. Two years ago I was selling all my miscellaneous Mopar parts I had. The only thing I could not sell was a 1970 Challenger flat hood, in almost perfect shape. I couldn’t even give it away. I ended up taking it to my local scrap yard and got a whole $1.86 for it, which is all it was worth by weight.
+/- $250 to scrap it or post it on market place and see what happens someone may say $500 and you still doubled the scale value.
Of all the submittals people send to BF, THIS gets written up?
Varity is what I like about Barn Finds. This style at the lower end of the market & the occasional 6 figure at the higher end. There is something for every interest & taste.
Just enjoy the write ups & relax
Ken
Call 📞 1-800-the-hook 🛻🪝 and it’s potluck if they take it away 💁♂️
You look close it’s really a solid piece for the most part. The door for example is not rusted away, look at those inner rockers and wheel wells. Looks like it was taken apart with good intentions and something went wrong. Now is it worth pulling out and finishing what someone started? Probably not, but I am willing to bet there is some useful parts there. A whole lot worse has been put back together, but alas it is not a 442 just a Cutlass.
Another POS ? WTF is wrong with you !!!
Then I have pay sales tax? Bwahaha
Ran when parked.
Ad says he’s selling the rolling chassis and the ’68 convertible body parts are included as a bonus. I guess if someone really needs a boxed convertible frame and suspension that’s been sitting in the mud for 20 years, this is the deal for them!
A buddy got into these back in the late 80’s. He lived in a rural area with lots of space, and acquired numerous 442s in varying states of repair. He parted out some, and restored others, including several nice convertibles. He definitely would have made an offer on this one. Many of the parts look solid. The hood alone may be worth $500++.
Or $1.86, depending on the scrapyard you take it to.
If you need a VIN….
As my mamma once said, “If you see an ugly man with a beautiful woman, it’s because he asked…”
this thing is done not worth the asking price. not many parts that may be good.
Truth is that anybody who had the notion could drop a steaming pile of s#$t on whats left of the cowl and it would look no better or be worth a penny less!!!
I bid you good day!
Stayed in Frenchtown this weekend! And I’m certain we went past that property while driving around.
Amazing the ‘stuff’ that people will junk on their yards.
I may have a nice bottle of touch up that will blend in. Then a nice buffing. Be good to go.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ~ I bid $1.37.
You win, come and get it!
That’s a buck fifty too much
VIN tag being mentioned like begging for vehicle fraud. Problem is, that car was never special to begin with other than being a drop top.
I did look. Many others looked and commented as well. But exactly why did you feature a pile of scrap metal? Surely there was another car that was more worthy of being featured.
PERFECT donor car for when I was doing 70-72 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Convertible conversions. Everything you need in one package as the Olds Cutlass was the best convertible donor for conversions of any of the A body convertibles due to the shape of the top of the quarter panels.
Would also a great donor for a Pontiac Grand Prix convertible conversion.
Well worth $800 all day!
IF it were not so far away I would go get it in an instant.
Have not converted a Monte in awhile however ya never know.
I think I would do Grand Prix this time just to be different!
These conversions are actually very easy to do IF you know how to do it in 3 easy pieces!
I never knew that conversions to A body convertibles was being done. Sounds like a lot of work. Do you have any pics or any posted on line?
Thanks
Ken
No pics online.
Actually it pretty easy IF you know where to cut.
You can do the conversion in 3 easy pieces with the right donor car which the car above is PERFECT for!
“Assembly required!” That must be the the understatement of the year so far!
There is a lot of complaining about featuring this car is a waste of space. Maybe, if you aren’t interested in a rusty stripped car, but not everyone is going to be interested in the engine featured just after this, of semi trucks, memorabilia, exotics, motorcycles or jacks. Most of the people complaining about this will like one of those. There is a feature posted nearly every hour, if you don’t like something in particular, go for a walk or run some errands, then check back.
Steve R
Maybe try and get a sense of humor?
I have one, I’m pretty sure some regulars on this site don’t.
Steve R
Positive side is, there’s so much missing from this car, I’m sure it could do the 1/4 in under 11 seconds……………………if dropped off a building.
With an LS swap !
If the convertible frame is good it is worth 1200 alone! Title vin? Maybe 250-500! Doors if in good shape 150-300! Mischievous 100‐200 so if willing to work some money to be made! Could offer 599 probably would take it! People today are lazy!
Is this a jigsaw pizzle?
Now, be careful what you say, fellas. The comment police just want sunshine and unicorns in the comments.
No Big Block engine hawker intellect comments for sure!
I came for the comments, they did not disappoint. It’s fun to trash talk trash!
I think it is underpriced.
Hunk of crap . Why embarrass your self.
If frame is not rusted through, VERY fairly priced. It seems there are many people on here who are not even car people. Then there are some who are pretty knowledgeable.
Two too many zeros and at that it’s not even worth $8
He should wait for the government’s “cash for clunkers” 2.0
Its coming
I think that if he shopped around, he could get someone to haul it away for less than $800.00.
Seems a little high.
“this VIN tag with parts” LOL!
I used to go to an old style junkyard with my dad; a fascinating place. Personally I enjoy seeing items like this.
Love the comments. Glad I submitted it.
You could not give it to me!
Barn Finds should spinoff a sister company called POS Finds.
One of the reasons that we love Barn Finds is because they show everything from Rolls Royce motor cars in Concours condition, down to what you call POS finds! Quite a lot of the stuff that appears on here doesn’t interest me, like anything connected to Tri Five Chevs, Corvettes of any year and Model A Fords, but I’m sure that they interest many other gearheads. It’s a case of “each to his own” or “horses for courses.” Just enjoy BF’s for what it is.
My comment is not intended as a complaint nor criticism to BF. Hence the “spinoff sister company.” I truly enjoy BF and all content thereof. Upon closer inspection you may find my comment comically inline with a few other readers comments and yes im sure we all understand that not everyone has the same taste in vehicles. I enjoyed viewing the pos and reading everyone’s comments, including your comments. As you know we are all entitled to our opinions.
Some people like a challenge… whole lot of challenge there.A lot of decent parts there considering it’s a drop top,but too much work at my age
Even has A/C !
Someone’s off their meds.
Seller will throw in a tetris shot