Found my 68 F85
September 4th, 2010, 04:38 PM
#1
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Found my 68 F85
9/21/2014 Here's the thread showing Al's restoration of this car
http://realoldspower.prophpbb.com/topic33-12.html
Also see last update on this post for current pics.
Just wanted to share my recent find with all of you who are interested. This car was found on Ann Arbor, Craigslist. It is a one owner 81,000 mile original everything car. Options are PS, PB, AM Radio, 350 2bbl., Jetaway, and Chrome Side Window Moldings. I believe the color back then was Jade Gold? Black vinyl interior. I met the man who owned the car since new. What a nice, friendly older guy (85). He told me that both of his daughters learned to drive on that car. He drove the car for a while, then not so much because he had a work truck (I believe). He last drove the car in 1993, but claims to have started and run it regularly. He had the car HEAVILY rust-proofed when new. The stuff is everywhere. The good news is for a rust-belt car, it does not have much rust. Bumpers and chrome are near perfect. Floors are perfect. front fenders at the very bottom, as well as the right rear bottom of the rear wheel opening has some relatively minor rust thru. The bad news is - how to get it all off of the engine compartment, frame, suspension and wheel openings.
I hope to repaint the car - same color, 15" steel wheels and dog dish caps. Hope to either build the 350 to Ram Rod specs or find a complete 1970 - 71 442 drivetrain to replace the existing. Goal is to build a relatively low budget Cruise nite car.
http://realoldspower.prophpbb.com/topic33-12.html
Also see last update on this post for current pics.
Just wanted to share my recent find with all of you who are interested. This car was found on Ann Arbor, Craigslist. It is a one owner 81,000 mile original everything car. Options are PS, PB, AM Radio, 350 2bbl., Jetaway, and Chrome Side Window Moldings. I believe the color back then was Jade Gold? Black vinyl interior. I met the man who owned the car since new. What a nice, friendly older guy (85). He told me that both of his daughters learned to drive on that car. He drove the car for a while, then not so much because he had a work truck (I believe). He last drove the car in 1993, but claims to have started and run it regularly. He had the car HEAVILY rust-proofed when new. The stuff is everywhere. The good news is for a rust-belt car, it does not have much rust. Bumpers and chrome are near perfect. Floors are perfect. front fenders at the very bottom, as well as the right rear bottom of the rear wheel opening has some relatively minor rust thru. The bad news is - how to get it all off of the engine compartment, frame, suspension and wheel openings.
I hope to repaint the car - same color, 15" steel wheels and dog dish caps. Hope to either build the 350 to Ram Rod specs or find a complete 1970 - 71 442 drivetrain to replace the existing. Goal is to build a relatively low budget Cruise nite car.
Last edited by italian ice; September 21st, 2014 at 08:12 AM. Reason: providing new information
September 4th, 2010, 04:52 PM
#3
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Any advice on removing Ziebart rust proofing from frame, suspension, wheel openings & underbody/engine compartment would be truly appreciated. A friend suggested heat and plastic scraper.
September 4th, 2010, 04:58 PM
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September 4th, 2010, 05:04 PM
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Nice find. Good story. That trunk looks especially nice and suggests minimal rust, as you say.
You're calling it an F-85. Is it a true F-85 and not a Cutlass? The F-85 was introduced in 1961, and the "Cutlass" option package came out about mid-way through the model year as a version with bucket seats. Over the years, Cutlass production exploded while F-85 production declined. By '68, the F-85 was available in two-door coupe (post coupe, I believe) and four-door sedan models with either a 250 cubic inch 6 (the "Action Line 6") or a 350 V8 in 250 or 310 hp versions.
Production of F-85 V-8s totaled 13,422. Counting the Sixes as well, total F-85 production, including those made in Canada, was 21,563. In contrast, total production of all versions of the Cutlass that year was around 200,000.
The base price of your car was $2,595.
You're calling it an F-85. Is it a true F-85 and not a Cutlass? The F-85 was introduced in 1961, and the "Cutlass" option package came out about mid-way through the model year as a version with bucket seats. Over the years, Cutlass production exploded while F-85 production declined. By '68, the F-85 was available in two-door coupe (post coupe, I believe) and four-door sedan models with either a 250 cubic inch 6 (the "Action Line 6") or a 350 V8 in 250 or 310 hp versions.
Production of F-85 V-8s totaled 13,422. Counting the Sixes as well, total F-85 production, including those made in Canada, was 21,563. In contrast, total production of all versions of the Cutlass that year was around 200,000.
The base price of your car was $2,595.
September 4th, 2010, 05:10 PM
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very interesting information. Yes it is an F85. I remember walking the new car lots in Chicago and seeing a bunch of no/low option F85s. I ended up with a 68 Cutlass Supreme. Always liked the cheap post coupe cars. Sleeper look.
September 4th, 2010, 05:12 PM
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September 4th, 2010, 05:25 PM
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Here is a better pic of the script. Also note how the wipers stick up in the head on shot, it did not have the "hideaway" wipers. Or "Windshield Wipers - Recessed Park". The pic of the trunk shows the brown rustproofing around the wheel house.
February 17th, 2013, 09:18 AM
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"68 F85 RamRod Project on ROP"
I'm not a member of ROP.
http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/...er=asc&start=0
For those who may be following the ROP thread. This is the car Al is using as his base. Thought it may make his project more interesting so see what he started with. BTW, the work Al is doing is incredible. The car could not have gone to a better home.
Bob D'
http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/...er=asc&start=0
For those who may be following the ROP thread. This is the car Al is using as his base. Thought it may make his project more interesting so see what he started with. BTW, the work Al is doing is incredible. The car could not have gone to a better home.
Bob D'
Last edited by italian ice; February 17th, 2013 at 11:29 AM. Reason: Update with link
February 17th, 2013, 07:14 PM
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Hey Rallye, did not intend to confuse anyone. This is my old post from 2010. It was a car I had prior to his current ownership. Its his - just love following his resto on ROP and thought folks would like to see the "before" pics.
September 21st, 2014, 07:58 AM
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Here's the rest of the story
Al Godon acquired the car in January of 2011. Last week I got to see the finished product of his restoration project. Made into a Ram Rod tribute. Its a stunning, perfect car.
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