Did I pick a bad year ? 1963 f-85

[1963f85]

Let me say I am green to all of this,,, I just joined the forum tonight. I haver caught the Olds bug. I bought a 1963 Olds f-85 to restore, is this year model a oddball ? Will parts be hard to find ? everything I find says 64 and up. I love the 63, I hope I am not in trouble. I want disk brakes and 5 lugs,, the car I have is all original and nice, not a show car but a solid driver. 215 auto, sweet car. I appreciate any help I can get.
Thank You , John

[gearheads78]

Not a bad year just a totally different animal. Very little aftermarket so yo get to do things the old school way.

These guys have built several BOP versions of your car

http://www.stokedoutspecialties.com/

[1963f85]

I appreciate the infomation, I bet I cant affort stroked out. It looks like a foose shop. I am a country boy from Ky that just want a nice driver. Although I did look at the site and day dreamed.

John

[88 coupe]

Welcome to the site.

Originally Posted by 1963f85

....... I want disk brakes and 5 lugs ........

http://www.discbrakemike.com He may be able to help, maybe not. I found the existing brakes to be more than adequate, if one drives like an adult.

'61-'63 (Pontiac) Tempest/Le Mans was the only one that used 5 lugs. They may, or may not, interchange with your F85. Buick Special/Skylark, and Olds F85/Cutlass used 4 lugs. Although the same platform, Chev Corvair used 4 lugs with a larger bolt center.

I used 14x6" Mustang wheels on my F85, Skylarks, and Toyota, with no problems.

Norm

[Oldsguy]

John, to answer the question you posed in the title of your thread, no. No Oldsmobile is a poor choice in my opinion, especially for the age yours is. In my opinion Oldsmobile didn't make any mistakes up to about the late seventies, then, all auto makers were making the same kind of mistakes. Congratulations and welcome to our site.

[cbogartjr]

Hi, I had a 63 F85 Convertable, bucket seats and a 4 speed (in 1965). I really loved that car. Wish I still had it. Great choice!!! It had the alumium block. A light car and scooted pretty good.

[gearheads78]

Originally Posted by 1963f85

I appreciate the infomation, I bet I cant affort stroked out. It looks like a foose shop. I am a country boy from Ky that just want a nice driver. Although I did look at the site and day dreamed.

John

Just showing what you can do with those cars. The ones they build are really very close to stock. Paint, highly detailed, drop the suspension and tires and wheels.

[Olds64]

Welcome to our site. A 63 F 85 is a good car. You just have to know where to get parts. Check out Fusick and Kanter for mechanical parts.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by 1963f85

Let me say I am green to all of this,,, I just joined the forum tonight. I haver caught the Olds bug. I bought a 1963 Olds f-85 to restore, is this year model a oddball ? Will parts be hard to find ? everything I find says 64 and up. I love the 63, I hope I am not in trouble. I want disk brakes and 5 lugs,, the car I have is all original and nice, not a show car but a solid driver. 215 auto, sweet car. I appreciate any help I can get.
Thank You , John

Well, the 61-63 F-85 is a completely different animal than the 64-up cars. The 61-63 GM compacts were based on the Corvair platform (yes, the Corvair). The cars are unibody instead of the body-on-frame design of the later cars. The early cars are nowhere near as popular and thus repro parts are almost non-existent. Even worse, the 63 cars have very different sheetmetal from the 61-62 cars. On the other hand, you won't see yourself coming and going, either.

The 215 was sold to British Leyland in the 1960s and served in a variety of Rovers. It was grown to 3.9 and even 4.6 liters and EFI was added. A late model Rover engine swap would be very cool. Good luck with your car.

[1963f85]

Thank You for all of the help, I liked the 63 because like you say, you will not see yourself coming or going. The car is straight and the interior is pristine. I would like to keep the car original, but put some aftermarket 17's on it and maybe disk brakes. I want a nice SAFE cruiser. I actually have two of these cars. The first car is a barn find, all there but a little rust. I began crunching numbers and decided to buy a better car. I did so now, I have two. Both cars are all there and all original. Any more info, would be appreciated. I feel welcome here already. You guys have been very kind. I have been a Chevrolet person all of my life but I think I have been converted.
John

[63 F85 Cutlass]

Nice choice, but yes we do have a difficult breed to work with.

For engine parts D&D fabrications is very good, but the people I've talked with there aren't to helpful, and they seemed to be geared twards putting 215s in european roadsters, but they have the essentials for the insides.

If I find anywhere else thats good I'll let you know, please let me know if you find anything good.

-Ryan