In 1961, General Motors introduced a series of “senior compacts” under the Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile brands. For the latter, the car was dubbed the F-85 (after a jetfighter), and the Cutlass was the top trim level. Three years later, the herd was promoted to mid-size status and shed its unibody roots. The seller has a 1962 Cutlass Coupe that was restored about 10 years ago and looks stellar from head to toe. Sporting Oldsmobile’s “Rockette” aluminum V8, this stylish sedan can be found in Black Creek, Wisconsin, and is available here on craigslist for $23,500. Thumbs up to Tony Primo for the cool tip!
For its first three years, the Cutlass was available as a coupe (and a convertible for its second and third outings). It was not considered an economy car per se, so a V8 engine was standard in the Cutlass (but not the rest of the F-85s). The 215 cubic inch engine was Olds’ version of the Buick aluminum V8, and it was good for 155 hp. While the factory automatic transmission was a 3-speed “Roto Hydramatic”, the seller replaced that tranny with a more modern 700r 4-speed when the automobile was restored in 2016.
The seller’s car is one of about 32,500 coupes produced in 1962, the car’s second go-round. The odometer reflects 57,000 miles, of which 2,500 have been added since the restoration. That sounds rather low to need a complete makeover, and we don’t know what the Olds looked like before the refresh was undertaken. Spoke wheels were added to augment the super nice white over blue two-tone paint. The interior looks stout, as well, and includes an aftermarket set of gauges.
This was a one-owner car from new until 2005. Then it changed hands three times. The seller had the car rebuilt for his wife, but she has since become an “ex,” and the seller needs the cash instead. We’re told it drives as nicely as it looks, and it would be an unusual sight in today’s Cars & Coffee world. Could this machine have once been your father’s Oldsmobile? (Remember the old Dick Clark TV ads?).
Built it for his wife , now ex-wife. There must be a great story there in addition to a great car.
Hmmm… did the X actually want it?…. I think there is a realization that many men come to in life… and I’m not trying to be sexist here, just looking at my own experiences over the years. There are a lot of things women initially like the idea of, but not necessarily the reality. Driving around in vintage cars is often one of those. I learned that lesson in my 20s when I was doing a lot of sailing.
cool ride but really needs a wheel swap. this not a wire wheel type car.
Being a retired auto painter of 50 years, I notice small things that others miss. This car was COMPLETLY apart when it was painted. I used to catch flak from the body man for removing or taping up the screws & bolts in the door jambs like this car. The painter that painted this car had an eye for detail! I love seeing the QUALITY!
I totally agree with TOM above . This build was a labor of love to get it to this high quality. Very nice looking car ! Beautiful . Smart move to changing over the transmission to a 700r4. The original trans were very weak “slim jim ” types that were the weak spot on these cars. Price seams reasonable in todays market.
Funny, it could have been my father’s Oldsmobile. He had one of these when I was young. There were four kids so the car didn’t work for the family. I think he had it for a couple months and sold it.
A fine piece and the price is fair for what it is. Probably the best example on the planet. Needs Olds muscle wheels, though, with originals in reserve. Sell the spokes for good money.
As far as I know, the Olds, Buick, and Pontiac versions used 4 lug wheels, not easy to find. The Olds and Buick used 13″ wheels, the Pontiac were 15″, IIRC. When I was restoring a ’62 Jetfire, I’d settled on a first gen Celica/Supra wheel like these:
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=imnRApXV&id=F0A0253D3A660924CF1420413E2996AA282E14EE&thid=OIP.imnRApXVyD7yVmLIY8fzTwHaHa&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fres.cloudinary.com%2Fwheels-america%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fq_65%2Cw_1000%2Ch_1000%2Fv1492691843%2F4322Z_12005.jpg&cdnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fth.bing.com%2Fth%2Fid%2FR.8a69d10295d5c83ef25662c863c7f34f%3Frik%3D7hQuKKqWKT5BIA%26pid%3DImgRaw%26r%3D0&exph=1000&expw=1000&q=early+toyota+supra+wheels&form=IRPRST&ck=EB2BF2F4FE6398D88D219D48741EE1F3&selectedindex=4&itb=0&cw=1375&ch=628&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0&vt=0&sim=11
America was making some pretty interesting cars in the early/mid 60s… Then it all went sideways a decade later… Sad.
All 1st generation F-85 models had V-8 power, regardless of trim level. Buick’s V-6 didn’t arrive until the 2nd generation in 1964.
You are correct. The base F-85 and F-85 Deluxe got the 2-bbl, 155 hp 215 cubic inch aluminum V-8 while the upscale Cutlass got a 4-bbl.,185 hp version. No 6-cylinders until 1964.
My 1962 4-door F-85 got me thru my junior year in high school. Bare bones except for an AM radio, automatic and factory air conditioning!
Love the early Olds Cutlass!! Owned a 63 back in the day.
Would love to have this car, what a great driver it would be. I would have to lose the wire wheels and the wood spoke steering wheel. Also not a fan of accessories gauges hanging under the dash. I know a little pick y but this is a great car.
“…what a great driver it would be.” – But my love, my life, my lady – is the sea… And that would cure the “ex” problem.
Dr Olds had an eye for beauty 😍 as well as performance 🏁
Dr Olds sure did. What a nice car love the way the body line sweeps down over the rear tires. Was a sad day when GM dropped the Oldsmobile line with so many great cars.
This is one of the best restorations I’ve seen in a while. The car looks showroom new, and this Olds Cutlass was one of their best small car designs. Beautiful car. — I agree with others that the wire wheels don’t fit this car’s design. Finding original wheels in good shape are probably like trying to find Atlantis, but other aftermarket wheels would look a lot better than these. — I don’t mind the aftermarket gauges – far better than idiot lights, and the steering wheel at least matches the sportiness of the car. – Fair price for a full buy n drive car.
What an exceptional Oldsmobile and the tranny upgrade is spot on although I’m not sure why they used a 700R4 in lieu of a 200-4R. I put a 200-4R behind my 455 and the lower first gear with a tall over drive make it a great package plus it has a BOP bolt pattern. Nevertheless, other than the wheels discussed by others, I love it!
The only way I could like it better was if it was a drop top! I’d try to find the original tranny, though, In addition to being period correct, it had a unique shift pattern, because it was made before the Feds forced standardized shift patterns in 1968. Reverse was below “Low”, the shift pattern was PNDLR, so the “new” tranny won’t match the gear selector indicator on the column. No word on if the seller has the original gearbox, though.
A “Rockette Aluminum V8”- once owned by a dancer from NYC?