We tend to think of the Oldsmobile Cutlass as Oldsmobile’s core mid-size offering, but the Cutlass initially got its start as a buckets-and-console coupe within the F-85 series. One of these cars, a 1963 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass convertible, is our Pick of the Day. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Milford, Michigan. (Click the link to view the listing)
When Oldsmobile introduced the F-85 in 1961, it was the least interesting of the trio of what became known as the “Senior Compacts.” The Pontiac Tempest featured a transaxle and an inline-four that was literally half a V8, while Buick introduced a novel V6 and aluminum V8 for the Special. The Buick V8, which measured 215ci, would also power the F-85, though Oldsmobile engineers got ahold of it and called it the Rockette V8. All three models ran on a 112-inch wheelbase, which may have been considered small back in the day but a few years later it would be considered a typical measurement for a mid-size car.
For 1963, Oldsmobile redesigned the F-85 with a slab-sided design featuring styling that properly resembled the updated styling of the full-size models. Though on the same platform as before, the F85 looked larger — perhaps a more appropriate bridge between General Motors’ compacts like the Corvair and Chevy II, and full-size models. And, in the interest of equal parity, it’s worth mentioning that Oldsmobile finally earned its Senior Compact engineering wings with the 1962-63 Jetfire, the first production car with a turbocharger.
The 1963 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass convertible you see here is one of those upscale, sporty cars that were catching on in the market and would eventually lead to the creation of pony cars, if not the 4-4-2. The standard 215 V8 featured 10.25 compression and a four-barrel carburetor for 185 horsepower; optional was an ultra high-compression with 10.75 compression and 195 horsepower. No word which engine this Cutlass has but it’s an honest-to-goodness four-speed car, which adds to its sportiness, if not its collectability. “This 63 convertible is quite a stunning vehicle, painted in a beautiful burgundy complemented by a white roof,” says the selling dealer. “Take a seat inside and you are greeted to a spacious and well-appointed cabin. Eye-catching vinyl really makes the interior pop, and the gauges are set up well for driving.”
If this was a Chevrolet, everyone would be going gaga and commanding something twice as much as what this dealership is asking: $25,500. And if you’re a hot rodder at heart, maybe you can add the Jetfire’s turbo system to this and amaze even more folks beyond what a cool find you’ve found.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
She’s a Beaut!!
The F85 was my first car. My uncle gave it to me and it had a big 396 engine .
The one I had was a product of inept mechanics. The car was a dog as a result. Was one if not the worst car I ever owned next to my 73 Audi 300LS nicknamed the German Edsel.
When I was 8 years old our next-door neighbor owned a 1963 Oldsmobile F-85. He was a retired auto mechanic, and just by watching him work on cars, taught me more about cars than any other person. He was great, he answered all my questions and would explain things that I didn’t even ask about. His garage was immaculate. It was all painted gloss white and there was a place for every thing. I would stay with him for hours. I think he enjoyed it as much as I did. When the F85 was as he called it “loosing pep” he would tear the engine down and replace the camshaft, and I would help him. He did that
at least 4 times that I can remember. He explained how the car air conditioning system works, I knew more about cars than most adults knew. As time went on he moved away. When I bought my first car, a 69 Mustang Mach I, I could do my own oil changes, tune ups and just about everything else that needed to be done. We took that Mustang on several cross country road trips and never doubted how the Mustang would handle it. We never had any mechanical issues on any one of those trips. We would drive 15 to 20 hours only stopping for gas. Ah those were the days. To this day I am always confident that any of our cars would take us and bring us back. We know our cars.
My third car (at age 17) was the F-85 and I would give anything to have it back. Bright red convertible with white leather interior and 4 on the floor. Got 2 speeding tickets in one weekend on the NY State thruway. It wasn’t a big boat and it wasn’t a compact, just the perfect size. Boy, did I love that car. I wish I knew what happened to it, 60 years ago.