One-year only cars are always worth a look, and this survivor-grade 1963 Oldsmobile F85 Deluxe Cutlass Coupe is no different. With a largely straight body and the desirable ultra high compression 215CI aluminum V8, we’re glad that Barn Finds reader Jim Fleitz has chosen to list this car with us as an Exclusive. Jim’s asking $6,000 for this handsome coupe, which is located in Hockessin, Delaware, a wonderful state to spend a long weekend in while picking up a new project. Please use the form at the bottom of this entry to contact Jim directly.
From Jim – 1963 Oldsmobile F85 Deluxe Cutlass Coupe with 74,000 miles. True survivor in Delaware with Ultra High Compression 215CI aluminum V8, floor-mounted 3-speed “Roto Hydromatic.” Have some service records and Olds original “Protect O Plate” metal service ID plate, original owner’s operating manual and 1,200 page service manual. All original except for new ball joints, rear end drive shaft seal, new brakes, lines and hoses with rebuilt cylinders.
New distributor cap, rotor, points, condenser, plug wires and plugs. It is all there! The jack, jack stand, original spare tire, every piece of chrome and stainless, and near perfect interior. Driver’s seat has an 8” split and seat back has a hole worn into front left side. Rest of the seats are nearly perfect.
Runs but needs carb rebuild. Exterior paint is faded but has a beautiful patina that only comes with age. Surface rust in front and rear wheel wells. Same around the outside corners of lower windshield frame. There is a long scratch on the upper rear quarter panel and the car appears to have been hit in the rear at one point, and repaired rather poorly. Ethyl, original owner of the car, had some problems getting in and out of her garage. Needs exhaust from the header back.
As Jim notes, the rarity factor is high with this F85: This is a rare find, as not many of this model were built, and not many are left. This body style was produced for one year only. Of the nearly 42,000 produced, it is estimated that less than 1,000 are still out there! Will ship anywhere in the world, or come pick it up. The trunk is also incredibly clean, and running issues aside, this F85 presents as a respectable driver that should be pretty cheap to own over the long haul. Thanks, Jim, for listing your Oldsmobile with us!
Location: Hockessin, DE
Asking Price: $6,000
Mileage: 74,000
Title Status: Clear
Beautiful Oldsmobile. I have 79 Hurst/Olds gold & white color combo with beige cloth interior 350 4B, tilt steering, power driver seat, power windows, rear defrost, Factory AC, Factory AMFM radio All original 6,900 miles with all documentation and manuals.
It would be really helpful to see pics of the engine and the undercarriage. Any chance of those being added here Jim/Jeff?
There are still available rebuild kits and blocks, what ultra high compression we talking about. YES once engine and tooling sold to English firm they ran 13 to 1 in Formula racers. Think even Land Rovers used this motor.
MICKEY THOMPSON originally bought tooling.
In movie Herbie, ( ???¿¿ spelling), Goes to Monte Carlo, the villainous Barons gull wing has to this day same motor.
Was buildable to high power but not until it was in formulas did it hold together.
I believe some had, not this year, a turbo charger or supercharger.
CORRECT ME PLEASE IF WRONG.
did not take my edit 13 to 1!
EHide Behind,
You’re correct. I believe the turbo 215 CI model was called a JetFire. It was around in 1962 and 1963. It was a problem because it was a high compression motor with a small turbo. That leads to spark knock, so Olds added water injection. But if the owner let it run out of water, it spark knocked into oblivion.
Lower compression and a bigger turbo would have (maybe) worked with a 4 speed, but the average Olds owner in 1963 didn’t want turbo lag, especially since a lot of them had automatic transmissions.
The Jetfire of ’62 & ’63 had the turbo engine. It was available as a hardtop coupe only. The engine in this car would be rated at 185hp with a genuine 4-barrel carburetor (a thing of beauty, I might add) and possibly some script on the air cleaner to the effect of “Ultra High Compression”. Very impressive motor and prone to cylinder wear & valve stem blow-by. They required premium gas, which turns snow purple. Don’t ask me how I know…
They were nice small cars, well-made and more like a junior edition of the full-size line, not really a compact like the Corvair or Falcon, which they followed to market. The Pontiac Tempest came with 15″ wheels and I think the Cutlass would have looked better with 14–15″ wheels, too.
My first car was a 1962 Cutlass convertible. My parents had a ’63 convertible before my dad got a company car. I’d almost give up my Corvette to have either one of those cars back again.
Almost.
Can I call it a 431? 4 bbl,3 speed and single exhaust
My mom had a 4 door model. Bench seats, rubber floor mats and an auto. Same gold color which I never liked. I learned to drive in that car. As I recall it really handled quite well. The little motor was sweet but did tend to foul the plugs. Probably because my mom drove it! Speaking of, I’ll never forget me, with my brand new liscense in my pocket burying the Speedo for maybe 100 miles of 2 lane eastern Colorado blacktop while traveling from Indy to Loveland CO. to visit my sis. My mom was a hoot, she just set there, calmly watching the front range rapidly growing in size, my mom totally oblivious.
Great car, Jim Fleitz ! I’m a big fan of the GM early 60’s “senior compacts”. I bought a 62 Tempest LeMans convertible a couple years back, revived her after a decade and a half of slumber. Yes, with the high compression 4 cylinder, and yes with the transaxle. Runs great! She’s done. Recently bought a 62 Buick Skylark convertible, bringing her back from almost a decade of slumber. The Buick 215 has differences from the Olds, but still a great little engine. Up next I want a 62 F85 coupe or wagon, but gotta finish the Buick first. And throwing my back out has slowed me down. Beautiful interior Jim, is that original?
Hi Bop Guy, the entire car, inside and out, is original. Thanks for the comment.
Jim
Was my first car after being discharged from the US Navy in 1969. Mine was maroon convert with 4 speed. Can’t remember how I blew the engine, but liked it so much that I got a ragged out 4 door and transplanted that motor.Lots of memories here, did not realize how rare they are now, recently tried to find another, now know why I have such a hard time finding any.
…I don’t think any of us ever remember how we blew up our engines back then, but I bet you most of us were having fun at the time…
Get the valve lash a little too tight, then exceed red line a couple time, Wa La blown engine. Been there done that. Forgetting to check the oil was probably more likely though.
I drove mine hard and it was prone to overheating. I always kept it tuned and race it on weekends. won a couple trophys with it at the drags. Miss that car! Wrecked it.