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Dirty Drop-Top: 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible

In the true spirit of barn-stored classic/vintage cars, we present to you this rather derelict ’69 Cutlass, for sale here on craigslist in rural Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Intrigued? Let’s look a bit closer!

If you’re still with me here, you probably know a thing or two about the F-85 vs. the Cutlass, and how the latter originally began as a trim level of the former.  You probably also know that they were on the market from 1961 to 1999 and according to Wikipedia, they were “… Oldsmobile’s smallest model; it began as a unibody compact car but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate. ” This particular car is an example of the 2nd generation, which saw the trademark split grille, standard headrests as mandated by safety law, and column-mounted ignition a year before those were required.  One could choose from a number of engine and transmission choices, including the Jetaway two-speed or TH350 three-speed transmission, an inline-six or a handful of V8s.

With this car, the seller doesn’t give us a whole lot to work within the way of description, other than some basics and the fact that it’s a one-0wner machine. We learn more from the pictures, frankly, and those pictures show a modest Cutlass S that has been off the road since the early 1980s, needing quite a bit of TLC to bring it back to fighting shape. It’s rather dusty inside and out and has at least some rear-quarter rust-through. We can see a V8 under the hood and automatic trans shifter on the column, as well as power steering and brakes. Otherwise, we’re left guessing as to important details like mileage, frame condition, and whatnot.

I have professed my affection for the second-gen Cutty multiple times here on Barn Finds, and while the ’69 isn’t my favorite per se, I can definitely appreciate this one. They’re asking $5000 for this car, which might be a bit of a stretch, but then I’m coming from the perspective of zero-dollars budget and six-figure-car dreams. What do YOU think? Let me know in the comments!

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve R

    The value will depend on the amount of rust. It looks to have previous rust repair and has been sitting in a dirt floor for 35+ years. I’d be afraid that the frame will need a significant amount of repairs or replacing, if it does, then this is an overpriced parts car.

    Steve R

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Stang1968

    IF the boxed frame is OK, I’d expect to do no less than floors, rockers, quarters, trunk floor on this.
    I dig the front bench and gold color. 69 and 70 are my two preferred years for this generation of Olds A body.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    A prospective buyer would certainly need more information and more pictures spotlighting problem areas. The seller gives no indication as to the condition of the floors, trunk pan or the frame, all critical information that should be detailed for potential buyers. Without these details you can only assume that the seller is deliberately omitting problems, maybe very expensive problems. While this could be a good buy at $5,000, I’d pass unless I could inspect the car myself.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar JOHN Member

    Cool Cutlass convertible with the rare sun roof option.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar ccrvtt

    My 3rd car was a ’69 Cutlass S holiday coupe with the 350 and 3-speed automatic, dark gold with a white bench seat interior. The only unique option was an AM/FM radio, tuned to WABX, WWWW, and WRIF in Detroit. I put a set of Michelin radials on it and thought I was cool.

    It’s one of the many cars I would like to own again, especially in convertible form but without the bench seat. I love the lines of the ’69 as they are cleaner than the ’68 before it and the ’70-’72 that followed. Fat tires on 15″ Magnum 500s would complete the look.

    Being from Lansing I saw a ton of ’60’s Oldsmobiles and our family owned a bunch. Olds cars of that era were a point of civic and parochial pride. They were always more desirable than Chevies and Fords, even the SS 396 and the Mustang.

    I hope that someone can rescue this but I suspect there is a bodacious helping of iron oxide hidden beneath that dusty exterior. Once again, more of a representation of a car than the real thing.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Rustytech Member

    This is not a 442, it’s a base Cutlass. I just don’t see $5,000 here. This is going to need a complete frame off restoration, and the buyer will be quickly under water.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar cmarv Member

    Askin” and gettin” be two differt” tings .

    Like 3
  8. Avatar George Mattar

    I live 45 minutes from this car’s location. It is not worth the drive. Thousands of these built. Body work is very expensive. Paint too. Pass. And I love Oldsmobiles. Have owned four.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar bowmad

    Dusty and Rusty, reminds me of girls at the County Fair. Yep, I liked dirty leg but could spot when miles would exceed my smiles.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Bob McK

    Way too much money. It spent years on salted roads. Plus less than ideal storage since. Buyer beware!

    Like 0
  11. Avatar TimM

    Pull it out of the garage cleanthe dust off and take some pictures!!! Even the Quakers have horses that can pull that car out of its 35 year slumber!!!!

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Jon

    For 5G’s I need to be able to start it up and drive away.

    Like 0

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