Even though they wouldn’t be considered “personal luxury cars” for a few more years, the original buyer of this 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass loaded it up with options and in doing so, may have pushed this mid-level mid-size into personal luxury car territory. Thank you to Barn Finds reader local_sheriff for sending in this tip. This Cutlass can be found here on eBay in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. After 24 bids, the current high bid is currently $12,000, but the reserve has not been met.
The 1965 model was the 2nd of 4 model years for the 2nd generation Cutlass. Growing ever so slightly from the 1964 model, the 1965 received a slight exterior refresh. Buyers must’ve liked that refresh, as sales increased year-over-year with 187,097 F-85 cars were sold. This one was purchased new at Money Oldsmobile Company in Phoenix, Arizona.
This Cutlass is finished in Laurel Mist with a white painted top. That paint is 100% original. The exterior looks remarkably straight and clean. That’s not to be unexpected as it’s documented to have covered just 48,475 miles since new. The seller, an avid Oldsmobile collector, says this is the nicest exterior trim they’ve ever seen on an unrestored car. They do note a very small rust spot on the driver side foot well and slight damage on the corner of the passenger door. Exterior options include tinted glass, chrome door edge moldings, remote outside mirror, two-tone paint finish, whitewall tires, backup lamps, and parking brake signal lamp.
Inside the lengthy option list continues – deluxe front seat belts, front bench seat, air-conditioning, electric clock, deluxe radio, rear speaker, visor vanity mirror, glove compartment lamp, luggage compartment lamp, and glove box lamp. The interior is all original and appears to be in near excellent condition. The seller notes some carpet wear and two small tears in the front seat.
Between the fenders is a 330 cubic-inch V8 which sends power to the rear wheels with the optional jetaway automatic transmission. Additional included options are power steering and power brakes. The current owner recently had the transmission rebuilt and when they first took ownership of it six years ago installed a rear sway bar and control arms from a 442, new shocks, and dual Flowmaster exhaust. Prior to their ownership the original carburetor was replaced with an Edelbrock. The seller says the car runs, drives, handles, and brakes excellent.
I’ve listed all of the options above that I could read from the window sticker. The copies are a bit difficult to read, but that’s a nearly 33% add over the base price. While a 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass isn’t uncommon, an opportunity to buy one this original, with such low mileage, and with this many options probably is.
Totally reminds me of my grandma’s Olds, which was the exact same car with 4 doors in light blue. Man, would that car gitty up!!!. The house across the street from her had a retaining wall, so whenever she backed up to go to the grocery, her little 4’10” frame couldn’t see very well, and she would hit that wall. Needless to say, the drivers side rear bumper was all bent up😜. Good luck to the seller, nice vehicle.
No four speed, it is not “highly optioned”
Not sure how a bench seat is an option? Buckets and a console would be the upgrade option and a big bonus as Morley mentioned would be a 4 speed manual TODAY….back the YES the automatic trans WAS the upgrade option.
I have a 64 Olds 98. Coolest option it has (which it IS loaded) is the automatic high beam head light dimmer.
Nice car.
My 98 is the same color as well.
Just went to the EBAY ad and LOVE the 66 442 in the background all be it black.
I had a 67 442 Olds Gold with black top and interior. Should have never sold that one!
Bucket seats were standard equipment in every Cutlass model for the 1965 model year. The bench seat was a credit option under RPO A52.
Joe Padavano, great info. So you really had to kind of go out of your way to get the bench seat? Almost like a downgrade versus an upgrade, so to speak? I assume a bench seat was “less expensive” than buckets and a console? Just thinking out loud. Interesting.
RPO A52 bench seat was a $69.94 credit if you ordered it. And while bucket seats were standard equipment on the Cutlass models, the console and floor shifter were not. You had to select RPO D55 for an additional $75.32 to get the console and floor shifter that year.
No power seat or windows, but YES–it’s STILL “highly optioned”. You wanted a 4-speed stick, you bought a 442; not a Cutlass.
Sweet looking run of the mill mom and pop car!! Could definitely get more ponies out of that 330 motor!!
It’s a Cutlass with air and remote outside mirror. How is that “highly optioned”? The spotlight is aftermarket. The exhaust is a replacement. The high compression 4bbl “Cutlass V8” was standard equipment in the, ah, CUTLASS. The AT, PS, PB were optional, but most were ordered that way. I’d expect a “highly optioned” car to have PW, cruise, etc. It’s a nice car and fairly priced, but the hyperbole isn’t justified.
Agree. Most Oldsmobiles came with most of the power features, I know you had to option the car that way, but that was the whole idea behind Buicks and Oldsmobiles….more luxury.
I’m surprised they sold 187 thousand Cutlass models that year, never knew that among many other things. Also, goes to show not every Cutlass was a 400 cubic inch street machine as the 442 at its best never exceeded 30 or so thousand units per year.
It’s a cherry of a car, some of the options crack me up a little, and I’m sure the dual flowmasters let everyone know where you are better than gps. Just enjoy the ride and by all means keep it clear of hostile protesters.
You’re surprised because it isn’t true. That’s the total number of all Olds A-body cars sold that year, which includes F85, F85 Deluxe, Cutlass, and Vista Cruiser.
Aw, Snap!! (Drool, slobber, slurp) If only….
Beautiful car, although I would consider a highly optioned car to also include front buckets with the console shifter and console mounted tach. My father had one so optioned, wonderful car.
My 65 is Ocean Mist top and bottom,with pb. 4 speed buckets seats white interior and delete reverse lights. I added ps and console. Fun car to drive. Rick
I’ll have the car and the property
Great Olds. Period!