Cars in Yards: 1970 Olds F-85 Sport Coupe

So you think you have seen it all before? You think that Cutlass in that backyard out in the country is just another standard issue, run-of-the-mill Oldsmobile? Think again, newbie. I must say, I myself am somewhat guilty. When I saw this '70 Cutlass in a backyard, I may have actually thought something along those lines. Especially, after Jody, Anthony and I met a guy in the Deep South who had about thirty 1968-1972 Cutlass parts cars. We thought we had seen every variety of Cutlass S, W-30, W-31, and 442 that there could be. Then I found this.

This cheapo F-85 boasts a three-speed manual, 8-track and AM-radio.

1970 Olds F-85 Post Sedan surprise
What? I wasn’t aware that Olds even made an F-85 that year. But they did. See? A post. It’s right there. I would venture to say that most Cutlass S or 442s that I have seen were two-door hard tops. I seem to be having trouble coming up with a production numbers. I did learn a great deal about the F-85 option. It was the bottom of the line base model. This was the entry level Cutlass, although the car doesn’t proclaim to be a Cutlass anywhere on it. Also noteworthy is the contradiction of the economically-friendly idea of an affordable base model and this actual car. I’m sure most of these were super cheap as far as new cars in 1970. After all, 1970 was the peak of Detroit’s on-going horsepower war. So, with that in mind, look what I found among the secret stash of 30 Cutlass parts/project cars.

This cheapo F-85 boasts a three-speed manual, 8-track and AM-radio.

 

Thrift Shift

Dig, if you will, the picture above… a manual transmission! I just about fell over myself with excitement, then I realized it was a manual 3-speed and not my fantasy 4-gear. I also learned that the W-31, 4-speed F-85 is the Holy Grail of base-model following. That’s not what this car is, but keep looking. There is the sporty two spoke steering wheel. Not what I would expect in an F-85 (but what do I know? I thought they stopped making the F-85 in 1967). Notice the “F-85” emblem on the dash? Way cool! Let’s look closer.

I wanna rock without a clock
So, the original buyer of this F-85 wouldn’t spring for an automatic transmission (the 3-speed was standard). Or did he???? Look closely at the steering column which appears to be original judging by its color. Is that the remains of an automatic stalk? Did someone add a straight shift transmission at some point in the car’s life? If so, why a 3-speed and not one of the much cooler 4-speeds out at the time? The pedals appear to be factory issue. As long as we are thinking along those lines of reasoning, did you notice this “base model” F-85 has factory air conditioning? I bet that wasn’t free. I also notice an O.E.M. factory 8-track tape player, but just an AM radio. Actually, that musical combo wasn’t so unusual for the time, but let’s keep in mind that this is, or supposed to be a price friendly car. No clock, just a block off plate in its spot, but factory air and tape player? This guy did have his priorities straight.

The 442/Cutlass S hood appears to be from a donor car.

F-85 hood delete?
This '70 Sport Coupe's hood is not original to the car. That’s the kind of thing you pay extra for on your Cutlass S, SX or your 442 Holiday Coupe. Not base model Jane here. But it’s a valuable piece of Oldsmobile history that looks great on the car. I am really digging the post on this baby! Who has that?

Cheap but classy
Leave it to the Olds Division to produce such a classy looking emblem for their base model car. That looks expensive. This picture detects a lighter green over what appears to be a darker original green. Perhaps code 48? Another visit is in order to learn more about this odd car. Less is more sometimes.

Dream build ideas

We are Oldsmobile addicts over here at Junkyard Life. So what would we do if we got our hands on this? How about the factory dark green with mostly dark green interior? Add in a rich coffee color carpet to spice the recipe a bit. Retain the factory bench seat and curved shifter, only it would be connected to a 6-speed 455 combo. Rolling on a set of dark green 15-inch SS3 Rally wheels and red line tires. I would also lose the block off plate on the dash in favor of a reproduction Tic-Toc Tach.

So don’t be guilty of the crime of "Early Cutlass Dismissal" without all the facts. You might be passing up something interesting, and dare I say elusive, with low production figures or unlikely remaining example odds? Yes. You may. So don’t take that chance, check them all out. Acquire them when possible, restore and preserve. And most important… send us pictures!


— Ron Kidd, junkyardlife.com

Know of a junkyard we need to visit or want to send us photos and info about a car or junkyard?  Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Car hunting season begins: Dig into the woods for classic, abandoned cars – 1933 Ford, 1951 Victoria

Classic Fords don't grow on trees, however, you may be able to find some rusting automotive diamonds buried deep in the woods this fall. Cooler temperatures and falling leaves signal the beginning of car hunting season for adventurous gear heads who keep hiking boots beside their toolbox. I recently stumbled upon two iconic Fords, a 1933 Model B and a 1951 Victoria, during a trek through north Alabama.  

A 239-c.i. flathead V-8 powered this 1951 Victoria with Ford's first automatic transmission – the three-speed Ford-O-Matic. 

Flathead, overdrive and free?
  Who would believe me if I said the "owner" tried to give me these cars? My junkyardlife cohorts and I made a beeline for the nearest home to get the low-down on the stash of abandoned Fords and flathead parts. A manufactured home sat on top of a hill above the wooded "holler" that was home to the Fords. 
  The woman who answered the door and made it clear that we could "just haul 'em off for free." Is this really happening?

The 1951 Victoria was Ford's first two-door hardtop.

Hold on boss
  Unbelievable! We were giddy and diagramming strategies in our heads on how we could get the cars up the hill, through the trees and out of the woods. 

  Grab a winch! Lets get the trailer! Who can be here on Saturday? 

  All great questions to ask when free classic cars are hanging in the balance. There was one more question that had to be asked. A question that doomed us all.

  "Ma'am, do you own those cars?" 

  "Well, I rent the place," said the woman on the porch. "The cars have always been here."

  We shifted our feet in slow motion and hung our heads in defeat. We faced the reality of meeting the unhappy, absentee property owner who could have us arrested if we went along with this "deal."

A Magic Air heater box sit under the dash of this 1951 Ford Victoria.

Lessons learned
  We walked away empty-handed but learned some valuable lessons. 

• Get the whole story. Ask the important questions.
• Get a "Bill of Sale." 
• Hiking in the woods can lead to unbelievable classic car finds.
• Do not trespass. You may get into some hairy situations. Ask me how I know.

Stay tuned

  More to come on the 1933 Ford two-door sedan in the top photo. The Model B was a former round track car and it is loaded with parts inside the shell. I spotted at least one Flathead V-8 nearby too. 

Know of a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Ford's post-war redesign in 1949, including the 1951 Victoria, was a dramatic change from the fat-fendered '48 and older models.

This mostly complete and original '51 Vicky reveals green upholstery hiding under the recovered red bench seat.

A few layers of paint cling to the door jamb of the '51 Ford Victoria.

The '51 Victoria displays 48,000 miles on the odometer.

"Shoebox" was first used to describe the redesigned 1949-1951 Fords. Chevy guys also call the '55-'57 "shoeboxes."

1951 Victoria's were adorned with loads of stainless trim.

The new 1951 Victoria featured a three-piece rear window.

You can find more old cars in the woods during the cold, winter months.

Know of a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

The ’57 Chevy man’s favorite and last 1957 is sold

1957 Chevy man. “Buck” Hitt, of Blount County Alabama, was known for his love of 1957 Chevys. Buck owned more than a dozen 1957 Chevrolets during his decades old love affair with the iconic symbol of American automobiles. Convertibles, hardtops and sedans could be found surrounding the home where Buck lived with his wife, Wanda, for more than 50 years. It was no accident that his street address and the last four digits of his home phone number were 1957. The car and the number became synonymous with Buck. 

Interior of Buck Hitt's 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is loaded with options.

Pride and joy
  Buck’s black, 2-door hardtop, Bel Air was a source of pride for him as a young man. That same car gave him peace during his most difficult days as he lost his vision and battled illness. Buck passed away last year, in March 2011. His wife, Wanda, struggled to let go of his cars, knowing she could not take care of them.

1957 Chevy Bel Air chrome window moulding shines.

Holding on to the past
  Soon after Buck passed away, dozens of his automotive treasures were sold. Neighbors and passersby offered to buy the dozens of classic cars and parts that Buck had collected. One lone 1957 Bel Air remained behind the house. Wanda couldn’t bear to let it go.

Rust-prone area between rear bumper and trunk is solid.

Many offers
  She said “No” each time a stranger pulled into the yard to make an offer. All had a price, except the black, 2-door hardtop, Bel Air that Wanda and Buck had driven many years ago. There’s no question that Wanda still loves Buck when I looked into the pained expression on her face.
  “I’m just not ready to let go of the car that Buck loved,” said Wanda.

Bubble seat covers preserved the interior of Buck's ’57 Chevy.

Original only once
  Buck’s black Bel Air has vintage plastic seat covers on the silver and black interior. The car has remained original and solid for 55 years. It retained the original 283-cu. inch engine, Powerglide transmission, power brakes, power steering and AM push button radio. Buck had stashed a boatload of 1957 parts in the trunk and back seat. Four 1957 Chevy parts cars remained in Wanda’s yard along with the black Bel Air. Buck's place was a gold mine for ’57 Chevy lovers and word was spreading.

Buck had four 1957 Chevy parts cars in his back yard.

One more offer

  I tried to buy Buck’s ’57 before it got away. Taking home a ready-to-restore project with a pedigree was tempting. My offer was turned down by Wanda. It wasn’t the first time she said “No” to an offer that month. 

  I promised to keep in touch and wished her well. Two months passed and I got the urge to call her. I didn’t. Another month passed and the ’57 was sold. An older man made her a much better offer than I did. Wanda couldn’t say, “No,” this time.

Buck's black 1957 Chevy could draw a crowd. 

  “I know the gentleman will get it back on the road,” said Wanda. Buck’s 1957 Chevy dream car has found a new dreamer. Plans for a full restoration are underway. 

  Wanda was told that the man has the ’57 running again. “The man said he would bring it by when he gets it back together. I will see it pretty soon.”

– Jody Potter, junkyardlife.com

Know of a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Hard-to-find, original ’57 Chevy trim pieces were plentiful. 

Have you seen a survivor 1957 Chevy lately?

Bumper guards among the options on the ’57 Chevy.

Rust-out, at the bottom of one door, can be overlooked on Buck's 1957.

Wanda kept a close watch on the Chevy behind the house.

Buck started building a garage for his ’57 when he lost his eyesight.

Rear seat of Buck's ’57 Chevy.

Buck's car gets a new lease on life. I know he would be proud.

Know of a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

That Fad "T": T Buckets were the original hot rod rage, where are they now?

Buckets of love from days gone by. I love cars. I really do. The Junkyard Life Guys will go to great lengths just to see a car in any condition. If you’re a frequenter of Junkyard Life, then you know just how extreme we can be. Or so we thought. The car guys from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s make us look like the Harper Valley Chess Team. 

  More specifically, the T-Bucket guys. Those guys had nerve. Those guys knew what fast was and they made it happen. If you think your 280 Z with a small block Chevy is an original idea, think again. If you think your Miata with that insane power-to-weight ratio 5.0 Ford is fast (good heavens, I know it is!) or that RX-7 with the transplanted LS motor is a new thing, wrong-o, Fast-and-Furious boy. The T-Buckets led the way in the 1950s for unbelievable, ridiculous power. By the early seventies they were the rage.

Kookie Kar, a customized 1922 Ford Model T, built by Norm Grabowski became THE iconic hot rod in the 1950s. 

Junkyard jalopy
  A model T Ford is the basic concept for the T-Bucket. You were riding around in a bucket that used to be a T-model Ford. By the fifties, there was an abundance of early to late 1920’s cars laying around in barns, alleys, back yards and junkyards — seemingly everywhere. Car guys, being the pioneer recyclers, put these automotive remains to good use. They swapped, modern for-the-day, engines into a chassis designed to hold a fraction of the torque and horsepower that they were now harnessing. The good, old recipe for a fast car — lots of power, no weight. As time went on and V-8 engines were abundant and affordable, they only got faster.

Actor/drag racer Tommy Ivo's Buick-powered T Bucket.

Scary fun
  T-buckets were street monsters. Take a V-8 and add multiple carbs and unrestricted headers. For traction, add a super strong Mercury, Corvette or Jaguar rear end and massive fatty tires on the back. Up front, to save weight, how about tiny wagon wheel pizza cutters on the front? A back seat would only add bulk, so forget that. No fenders, no hood and usually no roof would be uncomfortable in the winter, but are we men or mice? 

  Absent were things we take for granted, like seat belts. Maybe today you might see a bucket with belts, but back then it was a rarity. The steering column was more or less a giant spear waiting to impale you. Power brakes, right? Oh. Brakes, yeah-that’s not working out so well due to drum brake technology at the time and the disproportionate skinny bicycle-like tires in front. So some of them had… no front brakes. Are these guys daring? Crazy? Suicidal? Yes, yes and yes. T-Buckets were also fun and addictive.

Tommy Ivo's T' Bucket Hot Rod sports a custom Von Dutch pinstripe.
Photos: theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com

Buckets of speed
  How fast are we talking? The one I rode in was basic bolt-ons and nothing exotic. It didn’t have to be, it was so light! Today it would be compared to putting a small block Chevy in your lawn mower or your kid’s go cart. Can you imagine a street race crowd of T-Buckets about to line up. That would be great to watch, like maybe from a distance. If you lived through it, you just might get street respect, also I have heard that back then it was not uncommon for a girl to arrive with someone and leave with the guy in the faster car.


Calling all T-Buckets
  So where are you now, T-Buckets of yesteryear? We here at Junkyard Life know of a couple here and there, but the masses have seemingly disappeared. Do you know of one that makes appearances around your town? If you know of one sitting dormant in a basement or barn, let us know. We would love to do a story on one and the times it has seen. T-Bucket guys, you’re crazy, but we love you! Lets hear from you soon.

— Ron Kidd, junkyardlife.com

Know of a junkyard we need to visit or want to send us photos and info about a car or junkyard?  Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Junkyard Life Find of the Day: Car club's classic stash for sale in Pennsylvania field

Field of dream cars. More than 75 classic cars are for sale in Watsontown, Pennsylvania. Two Mid-Atlantic-area car clubs folded and decided to sell off their collection of cars. Their vintage iron has occupied a remote farm for decades. Most of the cars were hauled in to save them from the crusher many years ago. Property owner and manager of the sale, Stanley, says everything is for sale but they aren't giving it away.
  "I have guys come in here wanting to buy five or six cars for $50 each," Stanley said. "No way, that's going to happen. We sell the whole cars, not parts."
  Stanley can be reached at 570-538-3464. Be prepared to pay what he deems a fair price and don't show up unannounced. Many of the cars spent time in a barn, helping to preserve their condition.
  Many thanks to John Berkan who sent us these photos to spread the word and save some classic cars.

1955 Imperial

Rare finds

  Among the most-notable cars that have yet to be sold are a 1955 Imperial two-door hardtop, one-of-3,418 built. Stanley says the price is $5,000. A big, red 1972 Olds Delta 88 Royale convertible is ready for restoration and its one-of-2,883 built according to Stanley. Also, who cuold resist a 1963 Mercury Marauder fastback priced at $2,500? 

  I bet a few dream cars are waiting in that field just for you. Good luck!

– Jody Potter, junkyardlife.com 

  

1948 Lincoln

1953 Pontiac Starchief

1954 Kaiser Manhattan

1956 Dodge Coronet Lancer

1957 Cadillac Series 62, four-door hard top

1963 Mercury Marauder, $2,500.

1968 Plymouth Sport Fury

1972 Olds Delta 88 Royale convertible

1973 Chevy Monte Carlo

Late 1972 Buick Sport Wagon

Do you know where a classic or muscle car is parked in the weeds, send photos and an address. We’re on the way!?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.