Not a new member, but a new car...

[cmraman]

It's been a long time coming....
I finally after years and years of wanting a hot rod, that day has finally come. I recently got through my divorce and it's time to live my life. So here is my new project car. It's a 1965 Olds Cutlass F85. It's a pretty straight clean driver. I have started to think about what I'd like to do with it, but for now it'll stay as is until I come up with a plan. This is really exciting to finally have a car like this. It will be a car I can auto cross and take out to track days. but mostly just drive and enjoy. I don't have a name for it yet but I'm thinking about it. Suggestions welcome. I'm excited to see what is to come with it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/04/3454924894_5783c7bb85-1.jpg

[Damn True]

Wow. Great looking car! I'd have a tough time messing with something that clean.

[JayR]

Congratulations on your divorce and your new project!

"pretty straight clean driver" ?!?! Looks factory fresh!! Perfect car to start a project with and will make an awesome PT car. I love the BOP A-Bodies and if anyone knows any others that clean, let me know!

[6994lt1]

yes, congrats , been there. just went to court last wk and the more checks i can find the more she has to pay back to me. i plan on calling mine the "plaintif" thats what i call my x wife and she hates it. figur thats were alot of the money will be going so why not dedicate finishing the car to her. there all ran by the government

[1971CHEVELLE]

looks very good :) congratulations

[cmraman]

Wow. Great looking car! I'd have a tough time messing with something that clean.

I'm not. I'm planning on upgrading the driveablity a bit, i.e. suspension, brakes, steering, wheels and tires. I like how it looks. My real goal is to maintain the look, but make modern under the skin.

[Cutls67]

Sweet Olds, glad to see more and more of us showing up.
Good luck with it.

Stephan

[cmraman]

Sweet Olds, glad to see more and more of us showing up.
Good luck with it.

Stephan

Thanks, I really like the lines on these cars.

[joejaze]

Nice ride!

[cmraman]

Nice ride!

Thanks, I really wanted something different. It's still an A body, but it's less than half the cost of one.

[b-man]

Nice F85.

I like the 'no-frills' low-line A-body cars, plenty of car for the money but built without a lot of extras.

I'm setting out on a similar A-body build, starting out with a pretty clean '64 Pontiac Tempest and upgrading everything under the skin without changing the overall look of the car.

My car rolled out of the factory with a 215 straight six, 2-speed auto on the column, power steering, full wheel covers, deluxe stering wheel and an AM radio. Just enough options to add a little bit of beauty and some driving comfort, I'll bet it cost just a little over 2K when new.

Check out my build thread, it may give you some ideas: https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48361

I won't be doing any chassis mods that can't be accomplished with bolt-on parts, no body mods or new paint either. The interior will be kept as close to factory original as well.

Good luck from another 'off-brand' A-body guy.:smoke:

Bart

[parsonsj]

Hey Rob, congrats! Nice pick up!

jp

[Steve1968LS2]

Nice score! Looks super clean and I love that year buick/olds.

We need more pictures though. lol


Here's a '65 Buick (same basic car)... they look downright badass when given some lovin'

This one was shot by Hunkins a few years back. Has a Grand National engine.

Love this body style, can't wait to see what you do with it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/04/20tnxnm-1.jpg

[6'9"Witha69]

Congrats on the new project. She is a beauty!

[cmraman]

Congrats on the new project. She is a beauty!

Thanks. Im really excited about it.

[79-TA]

I'm not. I'm planning on upgrading the driveablity a bit, i.e. suspension, brakes, steering, wheels and tires. I like how it looks. My real goal is to maintain the look, but make modern under the skin.


I love it. I always really liked the F85's. It's fun to have a stock-appearing muscle car with more going for it underneath . . . it's seems like any oxymoron, but keeping the factory fresh appearance can give you a great sleeper muscle car.

[jackfrost]

nice post! make sure you give us updates! :razz:

[wingman]

Welcome to the fray! I'm currently working on a '65 Vista Cruiser, so I know what you're up against - not as easy as a Chevelle but in the end product, more than worth it. Congrats and good luck.

[cmraman]

I wanted to thank Randy Johnson of D&Z Customs for going through the car with me. I feel better now that I got his approval for my purchase. He was gracious to help me go through and check out the mechanicals and tweek and adjust the car. We found a few things that we totally scratched our heads at, but the one thing that stands out is Randy was taking off the front right drum to look at the pads and lining, when he as ready to remove the castle nut, he discovered that the cotter pin was a finish nail. I'm glad we checked on that. We also discovered that the previous owner put in spring spacers in the front, we ditched those dropping the nose almost an inch. Hope to make some upgrades later this year. Thanks again Randy. I really appreciate the help...
:1st:

also here is a current pic....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/3498783401_a187f802d9_o-1.jpg

[cmraman]

My first upgrade:

Here is my new aluminum radiator from Champion Cooling Systems. It's a really nice piece. The original Harrison one took a dump and Champion worked with me on this unit. Rick is great to work with and got me this so I could have the car for this weekend. Very nice unit and fit really well. I have to redo the top hold down to fit better but fit in the original lower saddles perfectly. It's good for 750 hp.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/3596417421_5e4a98e85d-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/3596417755_b5c19f33d2-1.jpg

Here it is installed...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/3596418207_67c978db7b-1.jpg

[cmraman]

Welcome to the fray! I'm currently working on a '65 Vista Cruiser, so I know what you're up against - not as easy as a Chevelle but in the end product, more than worth it. Congrats and good luck.

Thanks dude. I am really happy with the car. It gets alot of nods and looks as is. I have found that body parts are a problem, but the aftermarket may see a upswing in these cars soon. I met a guy in AZ who bought one I was going to look at. His reasons for a early Cutlass was simply the same reason that I chose this. It's cheaper than a chevelle the same year, and you can still get many go fast parts. This car was very reasonable and the best reason is it's different.

[SixSpeed454SS]

'65 Olds A bodies have really nice lines. Sharp car & good luck with it.

[thunderkiss65]

Nice pick up. Owning a 65 is like sleeping with a fat girl, kinda nice once you try it. I remember this car from ebay, glad someone is going to fix it. I restored one to absolute stock, nothing like restoring a Chevelle or GTO. Im sure youll find that out soon. My next one is going to have modern suspension and a LS series/6 speed with the stock interior and paint.

Here is a board for 65 Cutlass/442 guys, if you havent found it yet.

http://ultra-hi-comp.proboards.com/index.cgi?

Good luck with the Olds.