Steve Strope’s Daily Driver: Pure Vision Design Olds Cutlass F-85

Gone now, but in its day the Oldsmobile brand was regarded as innovative and it’s arguable that Olds rather than Pontiac launched the muscle car when they introduced the ‘Rocket 88’ in 1949. Placed between the 76 and 98, the 88 replaced the straight-six powered 78-got that? The 88 used the existing 76 Futuramic B-body platform but was powered by the new 303 ci (5.0L) OHV V-8 producing 135 hp. Olds was only the second GM division to get an OHV V-8 after Cadillac.
For the day it was a relatively big engine in a reasonably lightweight body rocketing Olds out of its staid reputation onto the NASCAR podium. According to various sources, Olds won six of the nine NASCAR late-model division races in 1949, 10 of 19 in 1950, and 20 of 41 in 1952. A Rocket 88 also win the tortuous 2000-mile-plus Carrera Panamericana Mexican road race in 1950.
Indeed, the Rocket 88 made such a name for itself it inspired Jackie Brenston to pen what is also regarded as the first rock-n-roll hit song, ‘Rocket 88’ recorded in Memphis in 1951. Incidentally, while Brenston is credited with writing the song it is generally accepted that it was actually written by Ike Turner.
Olds’ Lil' OHV Rocket proved popular with hot rodders but unfortunately, as Chevy with its small-block and Pontiac with its DeLorean-led GTO, Olds fell out of favor and was eventually killed off in 2004 after 106 years. However, it was still a viable brand in 1961 when Olds intro’d the F-85, an entry-level compact powered by an aluminum 215 ci V-8.
In 1964, the F-85 grew 11 inches moving it up from compact to intermediate and the aluminum V-8 was replaced with a V6 or cast-iron Rocket V-8 engine. Another big change for ’64 was the intro of the 4-4-2 option, RPO code B0-9, which represented (4) four-barrel, (4) four-speed, and (2) dual exhaust. 4-4-2 equipment included heavy-duty suspension, dual-snorkel air cleaner, oversized redline tires, and 442 badges. The 442 option was $136 for the Cutlass and $285 for the regular F-85.
This is not that, however. Steve Strope’s daily driver is a genuine ’64 Cutlass with the original 330 ci (5.4L). Steve, a confessed Olds lover, found the car sitting forlorn and for sale outside a Triumph motorcycle dealer near his Pure Vision Design shop in Simi Valley, CA. Steve made a U-turn, threw down his cash, and drove it home.
Steve’s idea was to use the car for something called ‘Project long weekend’ where he would film swapping the suspension for a Hotchkiss TVS or installing Vintage Air or bolting in a 200-R4 trans that is exactly the same length as the Power Glide, or upgrading the cooling system, the sound system, “I planned to drive the car every day and drive it across country occasionally so I wanted it to be reliable and comfortable.”
Soon, Steve had the body off and was hand scraping the rust-free frame that was then powder coated black and fitted with a Hotchkis 2-inch drop Total Vehicle System (TVS). The stock engine was installed after being upgraded with a Mondello cam, Edelbrock intake and carb, Thornton cast-iron headers, and Pontiac HEI ignition.
Steve also fashioned that 442-style dual-snorkel air intake and installed a C&R aluminum radiator with an intelligent brushless electric fan.
“Once the body was installed the car went to Mick’s Paint in Pomona where they cleaned up the bodywork and squirted it with PPG Mercedes Quartz Blue that I had spotted on a parked car. That beautiful aluminum side trim was hand-formed by Kelly Cox.
“As this was to be my daily I wanted it to be comfortable so I located some 2011 Porsche Panamera seats and while they were cheap they needed cutting down and extensive reworking. Pete Harksell needed a 31-page wiring diagram to make them work in this almost 60-year-old car.
“The audio system is not your father’s Olds and comprises an iPod that feeds a Kicker KX400.4 pre-amp that in turn is controlled by the original radio volume knob. I also have a Bluetooth receiver that can take phone calls, play music, or give directions all through the sound system that comprises Kicker KS speakers in the kick panels a two in the package tray. The old radio station control knob now controls the volume of the sub-woofer under the package tray.
“I have some sight issues and when it came time for final assembly I upgraded the headlights with Hella units, installed the KC driving lights, installed various other auxiliary lighting, and used a Dakota Digital replacement instrument panel that looks stock but lights up like a Lexus.
“The car has been on the road for a while now and it’s everything I hoped it would be. It sits right, it drives right and it’s as user-friendly as any modern car.”
For your own build visit www.PureVisionDesign.com

[@cipri66]

A good restoration of classic,is when you can feel all the work behind the goal .....GREAT!

[@TorqTalkOfficial]

Agree, you know it was built to be driven

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Love those A-body GMs

[@RedEyedPatriot]

My mother's first car was a 64 f85 that was a bird egg blue color. We've got old pictures from 1974 of her sitting on the hood of it. She loved that car but dad traded it to a white and gold 71 cutlass 442. She still has it today.

[@TorqTalkOfficial]

So Awesome!!!

[@Apachefog]

My 64 f85 was light blue before the previous owner painted it and there is a dip in the middle of the hood. 🤔

[@jameskarchner8218]

My first car was a 64 f85, then had 72 and 71 442 s. Wish i still had the 71 , cost more than a new corvette , the most heavily optioned car i ever saw , paid $2000. In 1984. 455 turbo 400 , posi , tilt ac am fm with underdash 8track , white letter tires ss2 rims dash hood lock bumper guards had window sticker build sheet card and found other build sheet under back seat nordic blue w white strips white enterior and white vinyl top cost over $5200 on window sticker , was custom ordered at suttle olds in Newport News va . My 72 442 was $500 in 1981 . Ram air. 455 hurst dual gate ss1 rims , only needed brakes , wow the good old days too many good stories. Found a 73 442 all origin black 4soeed swivel seat console but blown up engine wanted $350 ! Told my best friend and he talked him down to $250 ! Put his engine in with a chain hanging from his moms tree! My 340 horse 455 was faster and would pull to 6000 rpms

[@buddy8412]

Sure would! Breakfast lunch and diner! + add stainless breaklines

[@ITSNOTMEITISYOU]

I owned a 64 cutlass and absolutely one I kick myself for parting ways with. Good news is I will be getting it back one day unfortunately it when a long time friend passes away, he has willed it to me so I’ll have to wait my turn to own it again. And good thing he owns a body shop because it’s gorgeous in the original red. Very nice job on yours

[@kevinkanning4970]

Super clean

[@joeymccullough2716]

Yeah, I’d daily that bad boy! Slap a Mondello 455 in it, too. Sweet! Love my Cutlasses

[@damikestr]

this is the inspiration/vision for my '64 Cutlass I'm building. mine will be mini-tubbed, full Pro-touring set up and have a 455

[@robertipock6033]

Where can I get a video of thet show? I have a 1964 Cutlass in my garage. Power windows, seats, breaks and steering. Factory A/C. My first 1964 Cutlass was in 1969 bought from my older brother. Factory 3 speed in floor.....never have seen one since. I bought the one in my garage 36 years ago. In between I have had 3 others. I am 68 years old but if I find another one for a good price I will buy it to last out the rest of my life.

[@rickfromthecape3135]

This was my first car! I loved that thing. Wasn't this the precursor to the 442? I'd always heard that.

[@BurningSteel69]

Nice to see a custom car on utube w/o 12" wide tires...

[@jaja-te8gw]

My Car !

[@shaolintexchrislightninga.8234]

King

[@robertowens1898]

Where did you get the weather stripping? I have a 65 f85 4 door that is about to lean towards the rusted out floor and trunk side. My car is the same color.

[@H4rleyBoy]

I have just watched the entire episode on TV, and it was all good until they did a close up of Cabes parallel stitching, except it wasn't it was atrocious, I was really surprised at how bad it was and them showing it on TV, I've seen Cabes work since the Boddington days and never seen such a hash up, I was very surprised to see Steve allowing it on his very own car.

[@mr.slippyfist4170]

The thing is, its his car not a million dollar contract car so he really doesn't have to make anyone happy but himself

[@k13ehr]

@@mr.slippyfist4170 You totally missed the point of my comment, you are correct in what you say only if he instructed Cabe to do a crap job on the stitching, I have since watched more of Cabes work and the quality is really appalling, no one wants that so why do they keep using him, your name only goes so far.