I wasn’t born with lottery luck; some people always win at the slot machines and on scratch-off tickets, but I’ve never been one of them (I have a feeling most of us aren’t). That doesn’t, however, stop me from entering antique car raffles. Just two years ago, I bought three tickets for the R.E. Olds Museum’s yearly giveaway. The prize? A white 1962 F-85 convertible with a dark red interior, just like this car that is currently being offered for sale on eBay in Eagle Creek, Oregon. While I missed out on winning the giveaway Olds, you still have a chance at this convertible.
An intriguing thought: Imagine that General Motors would have stuck it out with their semi-conventional BOP compacts rather than upsizing them in 1964. Would their smaller cars of the 1970s have been more, let’s say…fleshed out? It’s impossible to answer a hypothetical question with authority, but from today’s perspective, the 1961 to 1963 F-85 is a “right-sized” collector car. With an overall length of 188 inches (shorter than a modern Mustang), it’s easy to drive. And with the aluminum 215 V8 up front, this car’s power steering is almost superfluous. For those who don’t know, the Buick and Oldsmobile 215s were slightly different. Oldsmobile decided to design their own cylinder head and add an extra head bolt. Dyno tests in Hot Rod Magazine showed that there wasn’t much difference between the two, but if nothing else, the valve covers replicated the divisions’ respective big blocks more closely. The seller doesn’t say for certain, but the “Ultra High Compression” sticker on the air cleaner suggests that this is the optional four-barrel 215, which produced 185 horsepower with its 10.25:1 compression ratio.
The upholstery and top have been replaced and have “no noticeable defects.” The column shifted automatic is connected to a transmission that nobody seems to like and few truly understand: the Roto-5 Hydramatic. An internet discussion I found debated whether the Roto-5 was a three-speed or a four-speed automatic; it was a rousing debate. No matter, the seller says that it “drives well with lots of power.”
Perhaps the best part of this handsome convertible is how solid it is; the undercarriage speaks for itself. Under previous ownership, new brakes were installed, the gas tank was cleaned, and an electric fuel pump was added (I prefer mechanical pumps myself).
As always, there is a little bad news: The radio doesn’t work, there’s a minor exhaust leak, the left vent window is cracked, and the carpets have some light staining, but that’s all basic old car stuff. With one driver-quality repaint, this is an original example of a car that is just a little left of center, and you certainly aren’t likely to see another in your town. Unfortunately, it will cost you more than the price of a raffle ticket, but the current high bid of $7,600 isn’t bad for a ’60s V8 convertible. Will you roll the dice?
Where else can you get a convertible powered by an all aluminum V8 for maybe under $15k? If I did not already have a 68 442 convertible, this beauty would be in my garage. Don’t forget, this engine also had a factory turbocharger option with the jet fire. That gave it 215hp or 1 hp per cubic inch. No rust, no body damage, this is a beauty!
My brother had one with the turbo, it had a reservoir you filled with ‘Rocket Fuel’ from the dealer.
Had a 4 door model – never should have sold it – cold starter.
Yes, this does seem very fairly priced (still only $8,600 bid as I type this) for a usable driver quality car that is solid, complete and can be enjoyed. As the author states, the stated faults are all things that can be resolved fairly simple and relatively cheaply.
Not every car needs to be a 100 point concours queen, or tire-shredding hot rod. I can see this one being great fun, on a sunny day, top down, take the grand kids to get ice-cream.
From what I understand the cylinder heads flow better on the Olds engines and was the choice when they were used in racing. My friend has one in his 66 Corvair and it’s a sweet runner. The transmission in this car is the biggest letdown. Known as the slim jim transmission they have poor shifting characteristics and are not very robust. I agree with others 15K for a clean example is a good price. I see these gaining in popularity and value in the next decade with the collectors.
My Dad got one of these for my Mom and it was a great car. I had my license then and enjoyed the pickup and top down experiences a lot.
Ours did not have the 4bbl carb but it did have 3 on the tree…at least that’s what I recall. The manual made it fun to drive. It seemed to be just the right size for slipping into parking spaces others had to pass up.
If you go back in Barn Find’s Sold album, I sold one of these here a couple of years ago. I bought one at a private auction, brought it home, cleaned fuel tank and rebuilt the carb. Was fun to drive and the 215 w/4 barrel would light the tires very nicely. Only drawback was these needed Premium Fuel Only (as noted on the air cleaner). Unleaded ate gaskets up on the carb requiring 2nd rebuild, and leaded premium fuel was $4.29 a gallon. Mine radio did work (took about 3 minutes to warm up and play) and had the floor shift. Sold for $11,200 here and shipped it to a gentleman in Australia. Sure shipping was more than the car cost.
Aaron I’m like you, I never win anything. Some people money comes to in abundance, while people like me have to fight for every dollar. Now then, this little car is so cute even hard nosed people still like them. They were available with manual transmissions, even a 4 speed. I know very little about these automatics except what I’ve read and most is very negative. I do agree this would be a great Sunday cruiser.
God Bless America
I bought a 1961 for my first car. After about a year it started to smoke so my Dad and I rebuilt the engine. Broke a few head bolts that really made it a chore. I sold it to my friend and bought a 1965 Formula S Barracuda. Loved that car.
I owned two F-85s in highschool. First was the 215 with the auto. Heads warped soon after I got it. Local junkyard shop swapped for another 215. Sold it to get my second, the Jet Fire, from my buddies in HS shop class. They put a Borg Warner T-10 four speed in it and a raised cowl induction (open but not air boxed) hood. All black, chrome reverse, 4-inch spacers under springs to give it a bit of a gasser look. It was really fun to drive, until I wrapped it around a telephone pole after hydroplaning on my way back from a lake outing with my best friend. Good Times!
The speedo looks like an after thought they just bolted on top of the dash! Cool ride though.
I think it was an expression of the Space Age trend in the early sixties and in conjunction with Oldsmobile’s own futuristic “Rocket” theme. I just love it. This is where Citroën must have gotten the inspiration for the 1974 Citroën CX’ famous lunula-shaped instrument panel, which sits on the dashboard like a special out-of-space pod. Cool!
As of 5 years ago I knew where one of these was in SC. It had been stored in a dry wood barn. Burgundy with a black top & interior. Very well preserved and 100% complete! My wife’s niece was renting the property and I kept telling her the value of the unit and that she REALLY ought to try and buy it! Alas, she drove a Smart car and wasn’t interested. Hope someone realized the value of that car and saved it!
Aaron, last year I bought raffle tickets to R. E. Olds raffle. One of the cars was an identical twin to my formerly owned ’84 Cutlass Supreme Brougham coupe. I’d sold the car and had regrets. But, I don’t have lottery luck either.
I’ve seen a couple of these over the years. A buddy of mine bought a coupe a couple of years ago and so far has gone through the motor. Decent driver.
It was kind of cool how they offered two cars last year, Jon. I haven’t looked to see what this year’s raffle car is (or if they’ve released it yet), but I’m sure I’ll buy a few tickets because it supports the museum.
Aaron, we visited the museum in 2017 when I still had the Cutlass. 1500 mile round trip from the Twin Cities. The staff liked my car ( 19 trophies in 10 years of showings). Also visited the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corner, Mi. We travelled across N. Wis. to St. Ignace, crossed the Mac. Bridge into Lansing, choosing that route rather than 94 to the E. Wis. border to avoid severe storms coming to the Twin Cities where they were snowplowing hail from the streets! Changed the battery along the way only to find out when I got back I ran the entire trip with a/c, wipers, & lights on with a crummy alternator! And a bad storm along I-80. Whew!
It’s now Friday 3/14. Did this car sell yesterday or very early today? Thanks.