Oldsmobile F85 Cutlass Two-door Sedan

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Founded in 1897 by Ransom E Olds, Oldsmobile was to become the oldest American automobile marque, surviving right up until 2004 when parent company General Motors finally pulled the plug on this 107-year-old brand.

Introduced in 1961, the Cutlass was the top spec model in Oldsmobile’s compact F85 range and was aimed at the younger, sportier driver. Small and light by American standards, the Cutlass was powered by Buick’s new all-alloy 3.5-litre V8 (made famous in the UK as the Rover V8) which offered decent performance (185bhp) and good fuel economy for its time (20mpg+).

Restyled for 1963 with newly fashionable squared-off lines, it was available as a two- or four-door sedan and as a convertible with the option of either automatic or 3- or 4-speed manual transmission, but in 1964 it was restyled again, becoming longer and heavier with a cast-iron V8 replacing the all-alloy Buick unit. Just 53,492 Cutlass models of all types were sold in the 1963 model year and survivors are now rare and sought after.

This 1963 two-door sedan has the desirable 4-speed manual gearbox and started its life as a forces car shipped to Belgium in kit form – standard practice to avoid import duties and provide US military personnel with a ‘car from home’ that was assembled in the host country.

It made its way to the UK in early 2008 where it received a mild restoration, including a respray in the original two-tone silver, a new carburettor and new carpets. The rest of the interior is original apart from an under-dash pod of additional gauges for oil pressure, water temperature and battery charge. 

It then had just one UK owner for six years (who took it to the Le Mans classic and back with no problems) before being acquired by the vendor earlier this year. Unfortunately a recent injury means that he is no longer able to drive – hence the reason for sale. Said to be in very good condition throughout with a superb underbody, it is also said to drive beautifully with 20mpg+ economy on a run. MOTd until April 2015 (with no advisories recorded) and taxed until next January, it is ready for immediate use.

Believed to be the only 1963 Cutlass 2-door Sedan in Europe and, according to the vendor, one of only four manual gearbox versions still on the road in America, it looks huge value at the guide price suggested and is sure to attract lots of attention wherever it goes.