This advertisement from 1964 shows how Oldsmobile got by strict GM “no-performance” mandates by offering an Olds F-85 Cutlass high performance version. From a 290 horse V8 to 442 Police Package option B0-9 with 310 horses, Oldsmobile made its name in high performance early on in 1964. By 1965, the 442 was on the highway for good. (Ad complements of General Motors)
Q: Hi Greg, I have a 1964 Oldsmobile F-85 two-door sedan and it came with a 330-inch V8 engine. I would like to know how many of these were made in 1964. I have seen your columns in newspapers, online and in Auto Roundup for years, and really enjoy them.
Through all the years, I have only seen one F-85 like mine for sale in publications like Auto Roundup, Old Car Trader and Deals on Wheels.
I am hoping you can help me. Thanks much, Joe E. Phillips, Jonesville, Va.
A: Joe thanks for your letter. You have an interesting and rare car on your hands as most of the questions I receive on the F-85 Oldsmobiles from that era are about the aluminum 215-inch V8 that appeared in the 1961 to 1963 F85 compact car line.
Your 1964 F-85, however, is way different as it grew in size and was the prelude to the great days of the Olds 442, which stood for “four” barrel carb, “four” speed transmission and “dual” (two) exhaust. That big 330-inch V8 under your hood is either a 230 horsepower engine or the high performance option B-09 powerplant, which stands for the “Police Apprehender Pursuit Package” and develops 310 horses. The standard engine on the F85 was a Buick developed V6 in 225-inch design, while the 330-inch V8 was optional.
The “police” option was available solely on the F-85 or the Cutlass for 1964, and scooted in underneath strict “no high performance” General Motors edicts of the day.
Best part of the deal? You didn’t have to be a policeman to order it, although collectors have found out that few knew about it back then. So, be it the standard 230 horse V8 or the high performance Police 310 horse V8, your car in good shape is scarce and in demand by enthusiasts and collectors.
Over at Pontiac, John DeLorean and Jim Wangers were doing the same thing, stuffing a 389 with either a four barrel or tri-power two barrels into the Tempest line, which were similar to the mid-size F-85/Cutlass, Chevy Chevelle, and Buick Skylark, all of which ran on intermediate size 115-inch wheelbases.
The next year, even the stuffed shirts at GM couldn’t stop the muscle car market from taking off. Specifically, in 1965 Oldsmobile “officially” entered the muscle car era with the 442, where a 400 cubic inch engine sat under the hood developing 345 horsepower with a single four barrel. At that time, GM would not allow anything bigger than a 400 inch powerplant in its mid-size line, as evidenced by Chevelle’s very rare 1965 Malibu SS396; the 1965 Corvette with the 396/425-horse engine; Pontiac still with the 389 in 1965 with its now famous “Little GTO;” and finally “bad boy rule breaker” 1965 Buick Skylark GS 400, which was the only division not to adhere to GM’s mandate on engine size when it stuffed a 401 cubic-inch “Nailhead” V8 into the Skylark engine bay. Buick got away with this move by advertising the engine as a “400-inch” V8, much to GM’s dismay when they found out.
As for numbers, 167,000 F85s were sold that year, many with the six cylinder engine. The 330-inch B0-9 V8 engine, a $285 option, was sold to just 2,999 individuals, police included. That’s a real low number, so if you do have the Police 330-V8 under your hood, you are sitting on one very collectible car. As for pricing, if your car has “just” the 290 horse engine, its average retail is $11,500 with a high retail of $20,585. If it is indeed a B0-9 police package car, listed by NADA as a “442,” prices of $33,000 average to over $50,000 for a pristine B09 “442” are expected at major car auctions, perhaps even more.
Thanks for your letter!
(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist who welcomes questions on old cars, auto nostalgia or old-time racing at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa. 18848 or email to greg@gregzyla.com)
