With six generations coming and going between 1961 and 1999, the Oldsmobile Cutlass nameplate provided enthusiasts with a range of interesting vehicles over the years. Now, this early 1962 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85 is strutting its stuff thanks to Utah-resident Blade Manning, a 23-year-old talent that entered his Cutlass in the Young Guns category of this year’s SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.
Manning got his start in the world of classic automobiles at a young age, co-opting his father’s passion for old cars. When he was a teenager, he and his father restored the family Dodge, and he’s been hooked ever since.
Which brings us to Manning’s 1962 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85. Outside, we find the original grille in the nose, as well as plenty of re-chromed trim to keep it appropriately shiny. The headlamps were upgraded with halo signature lighting, while the bodywork looks smooth and glossy. Manning sharpened up the body lines, including the roof, while the panels were resprayed with PPG paint.
The rear end boasts the original tail lamps with newly polished surrounds and LED bulbs, below which sits a custom dual exhaust. The corners mount silver U.S. MAG wheels.
“[The wheels] were custom-made for this car,” Manning says. “I was going for that old-school, ‘70s style.”
The interior looks great as well thanks to custom leather upholstery, as designed by Manning.
This 1962 Oldsmobile Cutlass retains its original engine, a 215 all-aluminum V8. However, Manning also decided to upgrade with a balanced crank, high-compression pistons, ported heads, and a Holley Sniper fuel injection system, as well as an aftermarket radiator and modern wiring.
“This engine originally only put out about 160 horsepower,” Manning explains. “Now it should be pushing out about 300.”
Routing the power rearwards is a Borg Warner T10 four-speed manual transmission, which was fitted with a custom clutch and hydraulic throw-out bearing.
Unfortunately, Manning didn’t make it to the competition finals, but either way, his skill are undeniable. Check ‘em out in the video below:
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Comments
Thank you, Mr. Manning. The Oldsmobile versions of the BOP compacts of that year were by far the best looking. Drive it in good health.
Looks like fun, and that is what sells cars. Nice job.
I agree, darn good looking car, simple, clean. And he resisted the the LS craze too. Good job Mr. Manning.
Now there’s a car you won’t see very often, especially with the 215.
Great job. Brings back memories of a 1963 Jetfire I had. Loved that car. It surprised lots of other hotrods. Why GM decided to let the 215 ci engine go…I’ll never know. I wish they would have developed it more.
I really appreciate to see a young man who has a goal in life that you followed in your Father’s footsteps and the car is looking 👌 great I hope one day we can restore an Antique sometime in the future 😀
what is with the oversized tires? was he going for the jacked up sedan look?
Maybe he needs more traction, instead if the fire tire skinnies.
I would have loved to have seen this car restored to its 100% factory condition. My best friend had one exactly like this only silver in high school back in the early 70’s. I had a ‘63 Galaxie 500 sport roof. We had lots of fun in those cars.
My dad bought that color 1962 with the 195 hp engine 10.75 compression, with 4bbl. It had a painted white roof. Had auto trans though. Fairly quick. We kept it well maintained so no overheating issues which was door for that V8. Once heard the full small block was only 315 pounds. Many in our family learned to drive in this. I sold it around 1970. Regret it many times.
Nice restoration, put his spin on it. To the haters, where’s yours? So many either go straight stock or LS and nothing is unique. I like it!
Appreciate that man! and agree with you 100%
I like it as well. He took the original motor and brought in some updating. LS = no imagination in so many casses.
Back when I was in the Navy, and a lot of Vegas were still on the road, it was common to see someone shoving a Chevy 350 into one. “Look at me! It’s unique just like thousands of OTHER conversions!”.
Meantime, the Executive Officer at my base in Pensacola fitted the 215 aluminum motor into Vegas; he made a hobby of it as I recall. Components were beefed as needed, but the good handling Vegas had didn’t suffer due the weights and front-rear balancing remaining so close to the original. His was a canary yellow hatchback GT, and was a beauty. The ONLY indication on the outside that Things Were Not As They Appeared, was dual exhaust.
Commander B…i, if you are still with us, thanks for building such a gorgeous, and DIFFERENT, car.
Found a 61 or 1962 in a barn back in 1984, drove it for 2 years I wish I had that car today. It had 41,000 miles on the clock
Wow. Really nice man.
Excellent choice, I would have made all the same color choices and probably most of the mods. Motivation to finish my 79 Camaro.
This kid should be proud of himself. What he accomplished is no small feat. Always loved those ’62 BOPs. He rocked that F-85 and may very well be on his way to being the next Foose/Kindig/Trepanier. Plus, he’s got a great name for a shop: “Blade”.
Love it I have a rare 62 f85 with original power windows and air
I know where an original f85 is for 5k if anyone is interested. .
I have a 1961 Buick special w/215 v-8 a 60000 mi. car for 3000. Runs good needs to be finished. 4 dr.
Is there any way possible to try to get filler bumper for back of a 76 Buick unlimited, also I’m trying to find window seals rubber for a 76 Pontiac Catalina if by chance send me information for old cars coming from California 216-372-1203 email Lamont Walton 1962 at gmail.com thank you
I have a rare 62 Oldsmobile 98 two door convertible power window power seats it needs a motor body is straight nice project
This reminds me of my first car, ’62 Buick Skylark Convertible with the 215 4 barrel carb. WAS a classic beauty!! White with red interior. So wish I could of held on till I had the $$$ to restore & do the “cruise” today amongst so many plain jane sedans. Many regrets for giving it away for the scrap metal decades ago.
Nice car,stick a ford engine in it if you wanted to be unique,that’s to all the idiots here complaining about ls swaps .I gauranty half these fools don’t do any of there work on their cars themselves.
Beautiful car. Nice job. I love your idea of the 70’s look, with the slotted mags and slightly raised rear-end. This has ‘cool’ written all over it. Your project has me looking at an F-85 to build. Keep up the nice work!
This is very impressive that there are still young guns out there working and building on these cars.
It would be nice to see more of it.
Blade I hope you are inspiration to others your age, and you stay interested in your craft.
Like your work.
I own a 1962 Buick Skylark Special that has the Aluminum V-8.
We are just starting to restro on the vehicle.
Thanks again, and hope we see more of your work in the future.
I have the exact same car – down to the color and am in process of making it more of an interesting driver than the pure stock version it is now.
I’m very interested in the Borg Warner C10 transmission swap and the engine upgrades
Other sites say its quite difficult to mate the Olds version of the 215 CID V8 to different transmissions
If Blade Manning reading this – can you share details – maybe off line – happy to pay for consulting
i have one and i would really like to know what exactly you did to the engine. love the way you got the 215 looking. please help me get started