dmontanagrizzlies

Hey guys...well I ran across something today that you don't find everyday and I'm thinking about making the guy an offer. It's a 1963 Olds F-85 four speed, tach and radio are missing, but all the other pieces appear to be there, has a little rust, I have no pics. It needs a restoration but is all there including the original number matching 215 v-8 rockette engine. (the guy said its seized up and is sitting in the front (bucket seats are also gone.
I have no clue on how much to offer on something like this, this was Olds compact car and it would just be a gem to have. Anybody out there with some F-85 knowledge? Would appreciate any help. I should also mention that its a 2 door hardtop.
Thanks,

rocketraider

The 4-speed makes it interesting, but doesn't make this car any easier to find parts for. The baby Oldsmobiles have a following though.

Doesn't say Jetfire on it anywhere does it?

dmontanagrizzlies

Thanks Raider as that was also my first thought. No, it doesn't appear to be the Jetfire engine. Just the original 215. So really the only thing IMO that would make it rare is the factory four speed.

Oldsguy

It would be fun to drive I bet. After our marriage we kept/drove my wife's '71 Maverick. Really, it was just a plain vanilla car but it was so fun. Those smaller "pony" cars were really cool and the smaller engines usually were enough power to make them fun and driveable. I would say make him a low offer and see what he responds too, say $1200.

joe_padavano

Just be aware that the 61-63 cars are not well supported by the repro parts vendors as they are nowhere near as popular as the 64-72 cars. Any missing pieces will likely involve a long and difficult search for good used replacements.

The 215 was orignally a Buick design (with Olds-unique heads) and the design was later sold to British Leyland. It was in production until just a few years ago and found it's way into a lot of Range Rovers. The 3.9 liter and 4.4 liter versions are available in wrecking yards now and can be swapped in place of the 215. The later versions have a very cool EFI system also. I've also seen five speed conversions.

wmachine

The 4-speed would definitely make it more unusual, but they are not really rare for '63. Bear in mind that in '63, the 4-speed was not the "high performance" option that it became in later years
Parts availability will be much more difficult than later years.
But it definitely will be the "horse of a different color" even within the Olds community.

citcapp

Sounds like a fun project. Can't be any worse the finding parts for my 48 Olds. If you have the time and energy then go for it

joe_padavano

FYI, that "small" 1963 still has the same 112" wheelbase as the 68-72 cars.

wmachine

Wow! They look so much smaller!