I own a 1962 Cutlass and wanted to know how many of these car's are left ? Does anyone know ?

 

I have 1, so, your's and mine make 2.

 

174

 

Rule of thumb (thumb science) is any car over 25 years old will have about a 5% survival rate. 50 years and more maybe 1%.As in all things popularity and body style could tweak this a bunch......Tedd

 

I have one and am going to buy another after payday, I might pick up a wagon too. All 62's

 

So only 174 ? Isn't there like a website that should have this info with Vin numbers and such

 

174 was a joke..i could say 174 or 5,000 theres no way to know

 

bummer

 

I don't think it matters what's left just how many you see restored and at the shows 1-9 olds or the 100 camaros that line up and they miss all the fun in hunting for rare parts and recondition parts instead of all china made

 

These are very reasonable numbers and in-line with what I've read.

Production of 1962 Cutlasses totaled 32,461 coupes and 9,898 convertibles. These are actual F-85 Cutlasses, not "plain" F-85s. Using Tedd's numbers, it's probably reasonable to assume, with big error bars, that around 300 coupes and maybe 100 convertibles are still around somewhere today.

 

Seriously? Where would the data come from and who would pay to enter it into a database? The internet didn't exist in 1962. The records were on paper and most DMVs did pay to store these paper files for 50 years, so they were periodically purged from the system.

The number I've seen, based on actual data, is that the average for 50 years out is closer to 0.5% survival rate. That means of the 7000 or so 1962 F-85 wagons built (both standard and deluxe), somewhere between 35 and 70 survive today. I've got two of those (in addition to a 62 Jetfire parts car).

It does explain why parts are so hard to find.

 

I've often wondered what, actually, is meant by "survive." Actually titled, registered, licensed, on the road, and being driven? Half apart in someone's garage undergoing restoration, or maybe not? In a junkyard somewhere, still titled, intact, and salvagable, but possibly instead headed to the crusher? I'm guessing the answer is licensed and being driven, but, like I say, I've often wondered.

 

The study I saw didn't specify but one would assume that the only way to get the data would be a collection of information on currently titled vehicles. Obviously that means that parts cars, junkyard cars, and untitled project cars weren't counted, but frankly that's an even smaller percentage, especially when the study was geared towards mainstream vehicles, not collector cars. There is a very large error bar on the 0.5% number, and this is an average that includes four-doors as well as convertibles. Obviously far more of the desirable models are saved vs. the disposable family cars.

Of course, in the case of cars like W-30s, for example, there are probably MORE on the road now than when they were new...

 

So as you can see this is a can o worms. IMO What's really important is not how many are left (unless you're looking for parts), but keeping yours alive. And as you can surmise there is absolutely no known record keeping of any cars that still survive or are no longer titled or rust buckets. If you want to know how many f85's were produced in styles 3000 and 3100 that information is available. The production numbers are the second column of this table.

 

You can add my restored '62 F-85 to your count. I would love to find out who the original owner was and some more history about the car, where it went, who loved it and who hated it. I love the history part of life. Just wish I knew where to start.

 

Welcome, post an intro into the Newbie section with some pictures of your car.

 

The start point is the last registered owner and work your way back. There likely aren't any DMV records that will help in your search. Lessee now, assuming the original owner may have been a 30 ish guy (Olds catered to the older folks back then) IF they were still alive they'd be at least 80 or more by now. Take that a step further and say the original owner was in his 40's or 50's (very likely) the chances of him being found alive now and remembering this purchase would likely be the same as Marilyn Monroe being found alive hiding out somewhere in New York.

For now it would seem your best resolution is to start documenting the life of your car as you know it and carry on from there. It would be a start in the direction you are seeking. Good luck in your ownership quest, I just think it's likely to be a no win situation right now. Enjoy the car!

 

Count mine in true f-85, no cutlass option.