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Hello all,
My name is John, go by JD most of the time.
I have a 64 Cutlass F-85, (still trying to figure out if the two names are supposed to be joined, or one or the other).
I live in Newark Ca, close to Fremont, which is close to San Jose.
I bought the car in Grants Pass OR two weeks ago now. Previous owner said he and his brother restore cars to drive a few years then sell.
This one looks pretty good. I practically bought it online. It is supposed to be for my wife, but I suspect I will have lots of miles on it too. I have owned some time of older car over the years, or even a hot rod or two. I currently own a 52 Plymouth that we saved from destruction about 10 years ago. Have turned that into a very dependable driver, even drove it to Woodward Dream Cruise in MI 3 times and back.
We bought this car because it had a automatic, power steering, (upgraded I think), power assisted power brakes so my wife Kathleen could take it to shows and cruises. She'd rather not drive the Plymouth, although it now does have a T-5 tranny and front disc brakes. Also, even with the good looks of the car it was reasonably priced we feel. It does have some issues however, but I think I can handle most of them.
It started out as a 320 I believe, then rebuilt 1600 miles ago and a three speed auto put in it. So it runs great, but as I said it was mostly used as a show car only. I plan to make it a good driver and put more miles on it.
I will try to hold off on many questions after I have done my best to find answers using the search button.
But I am glad I found the site. I hope to be able to contribute what I can, but mostly enjoy the car, and the friendship it brings with meeting new people.
Will try to post pics but not sure if I am allowed as yet,.
Thanks, John
Welcome, nice cars. Your '64 would have come with a V6 std. on the base F-85, with a 330, 230 hp V8 as the next step up, followed by a 330, 290hp. Your car could be a base F-85, F-85 Deluxe, or a F-85 Cutlass. The VIN will tell you which one that it is.
Last edited by 1969w3155; Dec 27, 2015 at 12:25 PM.
Welcome. For the 1964 model year, they were all considered "F-85" models, but there were three trim levels. The base was the F-85, then the F-85 Deluxe, then the Cutlass. The page from the 1964 dealer brochure below even calls it an "F-85 Cutlass" convertible, for example. Olds was inconsistent in this, however, as sometimes it was just called a Cutlass. As noted, the third (note correction) digit of the VIN will tell you exactly which model it is. 0=base F-85, 1=F-85 Deluxe, and 2=F-85 Cutlass.
Thanks for the input and engine size correction. I do think this was a 330, my VIN is
842F015146
I did purchase the 5 set manual for this car. If I understand volume 1, first few pages; the first digit signifies V8.
The previous owner stripped the car of any trim that may have been on the car prior to paint.
I did try to use the VIN search option on this site and it keeps replying it needs 17 digits.
We live about 6 miles from the Telsa plant in Fremont, which is where this car was built when it was a GM plant.
Anyway, like I say I can certainly be wrong, but I believe this was 32 Series car. It is at my shop now, but I will try to find engine numbers next time there.
Any input on VIN decipher would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the input and engine size correction. I do think this was a 330, my VIN is
842F015146
I did purchase the 5 set manual for this car. If I understand volume 1, first few pages; the first digit signifies V8.
The previous owner stripped the car of any trim that may have been on the car prior to paint.
I did try to use the VIN search option on this site and it keeps replying it needs 17 digits.
We live about 6 miles from the Telsa plant in Fremont, which is where this car was built when it was a GM plant.
Anyway, like I say I can certainly be wrong, but I believe this was 32 Series car. It is at my shop now, but I will try to find engine numbers next time there.
Any input on VIN decipher would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry, my prior post should have said the THIRD digit of the VIN...
For the record:
8 = eight cylinder engine
4 = 1964 model year
2 = Cutlass model line
F = Fremont, CA assembly plant
015146 = serial number
Unfortunately, that's the only information contained in the VIN.
Yes, it IS a 32-series car, which is also the designation for the Cutlass model line.
Welcome to the site John, my name is John as well! I live in Medford Oregon and know the car. Your right, it came with a 330 and now has a rebuilt 350 in it. I sold the guy you bought it from the 350 core engine and a local shop went through it for him. Congrats, it should be a fun car to drive.
Wow, small world. Thanks much for adding the info for me. The previous owner, Rocky, did say it still has a Olds engine in it, correct?
I was just searching through paperwork and cannot find the engine work receipt. I may have never had it as Rocky said he may not have included it. He did however gave me the number of the guys who did it, but I cant find that either. .
Might you know who did the engine? Also a TH350 was used instead of the stock tranny I believe. Maybe you can send me a pm with the info? If you do not have it I can bug the previous owner one more time I think.
The day I drove up to see the car it was snowing over the pass and I had to use chains. so I never drove the car when I first saw it. Just started it up and looked it over. Body is super straight and a killer paint job IMO. To me that is over half the battle on older cars. We really enjoy it. My wife works at a High School, she cant wait to drive into the parking lot with it.
Thanks again for the info, and the welcome.
John
Last edited by jd52cranbrook; Dec 27, 2015 at 07:22 PM.
Yes, and Olds 350. I think it was a 1971, so it should have #7 heads on it. Keller Machine here in Medford is the shop that did the work on it. I didn't remember if they did the assembly too or just the machine work.
Several years ago the car was for sale in a lot called Heritage Motors. It was all original at that time, and the body looked very straight. I'm pretty sure there's not a lot of body work or rust repair in the car. Once again, congrats on your purchase.
.
