The Cutlass is a fabled name in the Oldsmobile family and was one of the most popular intermediates throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. Few remember that it started out as a compact called the F-85 and Cutlass was an option for several years. The small Olds didn’t meet sales expectations, so the F-85 became a mid-size car in 1964 and the rest is history. This 1965 Cutlass Holiday Coupe belonged to the seller’s grandfather and is located in Homestead, Florida. The car is available here on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $4,995. Thanks, local_sheriff, for another great tip!
For the second generation of the F-85/Cutlass, it was promoted to intermediate status, in part due to the sales success Ford had in 1962 with the downsizing of the Fairlane. The reworked F-85 now rode on a body-on-frame chassis w/a perimeter frame that it shared with Chevrolet’s new Chevelle and the Buick Special and Pontiac Tempest. A 225 cubic inch V6 borrowed from Buick was now the standard engine and the new small-block Rocket V8 with a displacement of 330 cubes being optional. The infamous 4-4-2 debuted mid-season and in 1965 it got the bigger 400 engine. The VIN of the seller’s car tells us that it’s the 2-door Cutlass Holiday Coupe/330 V8 that saw production exceed 46,000 units in ’65.
The seller’s car was purchased new in Miami by his grandpa, so we assume the car has been in the same family for 55 years. We’re told the Olds has never been in an accident and is original except for new front A-arms and a conversion to front disc brakes (original parts are included in the sale). While the paint job has had it, the body and frame either look good or we’re told that they are. However, the car is not rust-free, with some “on top” that needs repair and, of course, some surface rust from sitting outside for the past year.
From what we can see of the interior, it appears to have held up pretty well, but it’s really dirty and is going to need a good scrubbing. That process would reveal whether the headliner or carpeting will need replacing. The driver’s side door panel at a minimum is going to need work.
Quite a few parts have been replaced on the car, with a bunch more in boxes for the buyer to take home. From the parts installed list (besides the A-arms and disc brakes), we have a new fuel tank, new bearings, used Rally wheels (Chevrolet) in excellent condition and a recent tune-up was performed. The boxed parts include a rear drum brake kit, power brake booster, and master cylinder, an aluminum radiator, rear springs, brake lines, and an air cleaner. No actual reference is made as to whether the car runs or how well.
So, we have here a car that needs bodywork and paint, a bunch of new parts to be installed, and possibly an engine to be nursed back to health. Is such a car worth nearly $5,000? If this were a 4-4-2, the answer would probably be yes, but if top dollar were to be, say $20,000, would you be able to restore the car and have equity when you got done?
Cool car, but a whole LOT of pinchweld rust at the base of the windshield. Also the water damage on the package shelf says that there’s similar rust around the back window. Florida salt and humidity has a way of doing that.
Are you referring to the the interior shot from the left door looking through the windshield? I can see a something that looks brown and crusty where the glass meets the dash. In my experience, having owned several 65s, this is corrosion caused by mostly interior condensation collecting there. You are correct, Miami has a marine environment with salt laden air. Oldsmobiles from this era have their particular rust vulnerabilities. This needs to be addressed but isn’t catastrophic. In fact it looks remarkably good for a 75 year old Olds Cutlass that spent its entire life in and around Miami Florida. The 330 is a good motor especially the 4 barrel Ultra High Compression version.
There may be some room for negotiation in this price. Even at full price you really can’t go too wrong if you know anything about working on Oldsmobiles. Just make sure to give it an up close personal inspection before committing to purchase.
75 years old ? where does the time go ? LOL
Nobody makes body panels for the 64/64 Cutlass. If you need to replace a panel you need to search junk yards. Who knows what you get. This can make restoration of this car challenging to say the least.
Had a ’64 4-4-2 for a while in the ’80s, best ‘fun car’ I ever had.
The 330 v8 with a cam and a 4-barrel is stronger than you’d ever expect.
This one is just ‘okay’, rust issues and being ignored and allowed to just sit does it no favors. I hope someopne gets it and treats it right.
Styling on these is really beautiful. Had a friend in high school who had a ’65 Cutlass 330 4-speed. Same color as this but didn’t have a white top. For this one, would like to see at least one picture of the front.
I saw one of these for sale locally last year for about half the price and in good condition. I like the styling on this car. But the one I saw for sale needed some work as it had not been driven in years. But everything looked in-tacked with some additional old school gauges. Wouldn’t have mind getting it, but I already have other old cars that I have to maintain.
One more thing, make sure to check the trunk floor for rust. Olds used a rubber trunk mat which traps moisture perfectly holding it against the metal and where it slowly dissolves it leaving a pitted and perforated trunk floor. Even dry climate California cars are not immune. It’s rare to find an unblemished one and most of those I found had the rubber mats removed when the cars were fairly new. Not one of GMs better ideas.