While the Cutlass went on to be one of the most successful GM intermediates during the seventies, it started out as an entry-level compact in the Oldsmobile lineup, though it still offered a sporty appearance and some great-looking lines going down the sides. Introduced in 1961, the car was still in its infancy when this ‘62 model was produced, so if you’re looking for an early example that’s ready to cruise, this one may be worth checking out. This 1962 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass can be seen here on Facebook Marketplace in Columbus, Ohio, and sounds somewhat reasonably priced at $6,500. Barn Finds reader Ted spotted this one, and we’d like to thank him for sending in the fun tip here!
Some history we get here is that the Olds once belonged to the U.S. Department of Defense, although no details are revealed as to what official duties the car provided during this time. There’s also no word on how old the paint is, but with the fading and amount of patina, some of it could possibly be original, and there is still a vintage metal dealer tag on the trunk lid. The sheet metal seems to remain straight, and the panel fit appears snug overall, with no obvious signs of corrosion or body issues anywhere.
Under the hood is the original numbers-matching engine, a 215 cubic-inch V8 constructed from aluminum. The seller mentions that recent attention includes a complete tune-up, with new spark plugs, wires, and a new coil. There’s also a freshly rebuilt generator, plus a new Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor, with the original unit also included in the sale. It’s not stated if the engine has ever gotten an entire rebuild, but the mileage is listed as only 74,607. If that’s actual, maybe this one’s just been well-maintained through the years.
The condition inside appears to be decent enough for a driver, and I like the speedometer placement just sitting on top of the dash. It looks like the factory radio is still in place, but an aftermarket unit of some sort has also been added underneath, housed in what looks like a custom-made component. The owner states his Olds is ready to cruise as-is, but it also seems like a good candidate to repaint and take the exterior level up a couple of notches. What would you do here?
