When I look at a car like this 1963 Cutlass, I sometimes wonder how hard it is for the family to part with it, especially after 56 years of ownership. To make that decision can’t be an easy one, but life is full of difficult decisions. If you would like to own a classic Cutlass that looks to have been the recipient of careful ownership and has only covered 55,000 miles, this one is located in Steubenville, Ohio, and is listed for sale here on eBay. I really have to thank Barn Finder Ikey H for referring this classic Oldsmobile to us.
The owner states that this Cutlass is original, except for the paint on the passenger side front fender, and it is possible to see a slight mismatch of color there. Otherwise, this old girl looks really nice. The paint has a wonderful shine to it, the glass looks good, and the external chrome and trim look to be close to perfect.
The presentation of the interior is just as impressive as the exterior. There looks to be some discoloring of the armrest on the driver’s door, and some cracking of the vinyl on the driver’s seat, but the rest of the interior looks incredibly good. I hate to use the phrase “time capsule,” but it is close to being one. The interior looks so good that it doesn’t look like the rear seat has even been used.
Something had to show some age, and under the hood does, but not to the sort of extent that you might expect from an unrestored 56-year-old car. The 215ci V8 engine is backed by the Roto Hydramatic transmission, and the Cutlass is also fitted with power steering. The owner says that the car runs and drives perfectly, and amongst the documentation that is included in the sale is the original sales order and the Protect-O-Plate.
This is such a nice car, and it really is a credit to this family that they have owned the Cutlass for so many years, and they haven’t let it get to the point where it is neglected or run-down. It has a couple of minor faults, but it is a car that the new owner will be able to hop in, drive it away, and enjoy the experience. The owner has set an opening bid of $10,000 for the Cutlass, and I find it surprising that there have been no bids so far. Having said that, there are 42 people watching the auction, so you never know what’s going to happen.
Looks like the 195hp 4-barrel version. Grew up with. 63 Skylark drop top in the family with the 11:1 200hp version bit had this same basic Olds motor stuffed in my V8 Vega.
Looks like a really nice original car but realistically more like a $7k car due to low demand.
My brother had a Starfire, I think. I wanted a Jetfire. This car looks great, and I for once think the “Survivor” moniker is earned. The seller comes clean about the RF fender, maybe because he knew people would notice, or… is just a decent guy with a nice car to sell.
The brother’s car was maybe a 2-barrel version. Had a transmission problem, causing a jump from 1st directly to 3rd, with the obviously huge drop in RPM, and a bit of a “wham”. A shop advised to “live with it”, as a rebuild would cost the worth of the car… ;-)
If this car was one year newer, a 1964, I could see the $10k starting price. But as already stated it is a low demand compact car. Always thought the styling was quirky on these, basically mimicking the look of the larger Olds in miniature. Those seats are recognizable from all the GM intermediates and even the Corvair of the time. Best of luck to the seller. A real survivor-grade car, albeit a bit ho-hum and professor-like.
Very nice car. Have to wonder if a console shift would bring a higher price, since I’m not seeing the $10K either.
Finally someone who is selling a really nice survivor car with provenance. Even if it is a slushbox. and a not particularly inspiring, it is beautiful. Hard to price as there is undoubtedly some familial regret in posting it for sale. As all capitalist wags will note the market will decide. I’m afraid that there will some difference in the value to the seller and potential buyers. But it really is stunning.
In the late sixties my folks had a friend who had the wagon version of this model.. a dark red with a chrome roof rack. In a time when other people were driving much larger Chevy and Ford wagons, this car stood out to my 13 year old brain which was divided into two hemispheres. One side occupied by the usual young teen stuff and the other side all cars.
Maybe $10,000 is too much for this really nice ’63 Olds, but maybe not. You couldn’t restore one for that price and this one has a lot going for it. It’s all original, it’s rust free and it has low miles. It’s a two door with a nice exterior color combination and it sports a sparkling interior. They’re only original once, that counts for a lot in valuing a car. That and the care obviously lavished on this 56 year-old car.
Given what I’ve seen for what $10,000 buys you in the collector car hobby, the price here may be fair.
I see you have 1972 as your member name. Out of curiosity what Ford do you have or like from 1972. I am a huge fan of Ford Lincoln and Mercury. Especially 72’s. I’ve had many and currently have a 1972 Gran Torino.
Beautiful car and with so many cars out there with crazy high prices I don’t think the asking price is out of line. Very original and looks like it has never been restored which is refreshing. If I didn’t have two in the garage now I could go for it in a second.
i i i i i identical……nice car
Nice car!
This car bomb made from a ’63-ish Olds exploded in Damascus Syria yesterday. Luckily nobody was hurt.
Not all ’63 Oldsmobiles are treated with such care and respect as the example in the listing.
I see you have 1972 as your member name. Out of curiosity what Ford do you have or like from 1972. I am a huge fan of Ford Lincoln and Mercury. Especially 72’s. I’ve had many and currently have a 1972 Gran Torino.
I saw very recently a nice, but no better 63 Cutlass coupe bring $12,000 so I think this seller is in the correct ball park. You just don’t get a lot of quality anymore at less than $10k.
These are the kind of cars I really enjoy seeing! “It was grandpa’s pride and joy, he’d wash it before putting it in the garage every time he drove it” A car like this wasn’t merely purchased, it was truly earned.
I Do believe this car is truly fantastic. if i could i would buy it myself, But can not right now. it’s just like my very first classic i owned. which was a 62 buick skylark This cutlass, is just like that same platform. truly fantastic i do love the classic car’s, i have owned three, They were 62 skylark, 66 galaxie, and a 66 thunderbird.so yes just truly love these kind of car’s.
It’s a nice. At. I had a 62. The miles are low by todays standards, but not by 1963 standards. This is back when manufacturers were experimenting with aluminum. These cars are problematic. Personally, this is not a 10 grand car. I would not invest more than 5 grand for it. It is however, a nice car, but will require major work very shortly.
$5,000??????? Really? What era are you living in?
Why do you think it will “require major work very shortly”?
Nothing I see or know about the cars indicate that this will suddenly fall apart if one more mile is put on it….
This is a nice car…since it’s from Ohio I wonder why there are no photos of the underside if the car?
If it’s truly “rust free” show the frame.
Just saying…
My parents bought a duplicate from my mother’s aunt Helen in the early 70’s. Mom drove it all thru that decade to run us kids all over the place. I really like these cars – and it might be what I look for ‘next’ – but, first I got a few other projects to do.
Nice car. Fair price. But, you know…same old story: money, space, etc.
I would like to put in a bid of $4,000 for the 63 cutlass in ohio, but don’t know how?
The link to eBay is right in the first paragraph. Good luck!
Oh wait, this was featured back in January so it’s long gone. Keep an eye on the site though because you never know when we might find another.!
I grew up with a 1963 Olds F-85 – light blue, white top like that one, but a less-fancy trim level – which was my parents’ first new car, when I was 6. It was my Mom’s car, and my Dad then got a 1964 Olds, different model. My Mom died when I was 15, but we still had that F-85 and I actually drove it to prom and my high school graduation. So, the F-85 means a lot to me.