1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible
1. Last Year of the Turbocharged Jetfire V-8
2. 4-Speed Hydramatic in its Final Year
3. Front & Rear Fascia Changes Prominent
4. Jetfire Model Only Available as a Hardtop Coupe
5. Jetfire Makes 300 ft. Lbs. of Torque from 215 CID
1963 – The Last of the Unit Body Intermediates Until 1988
After two years of unchanged styling, a restyle was done for the F-85 Series this year, bringing the look in line with that of the full size car. The car was lengthened 4 inches behind the rear wheels as well. There were three models in the line; F-85, Cutlass (F-85 Deluxe), and the turbocharged Jetfire coupe.
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Car Resources
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1963 Oldsmobile Service Manual – Covers All Models
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1963 Oldsmobile Service Manual
1963 Oldsmobile Wiring Diagrams
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1963 Oldsmobile Wiring Diagrams
1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Assembly Manual
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1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass Assembly Manual
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1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
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1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size
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1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Car Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars
The F-85 was restyled for the 1963 model year, to a crisper, more squared off design than the one of the 1961–62 models. While the wheelbase was unchanged at 112 inches, the new sheetmetal added 4 inches to the F-85’s rear, increasing overall length to 192.2 inches.
The Jetfire and its turbocharged V-8 returned, for what would be its final year. On automatic transmission models only. The compression ratio of the 4-barrel aluminum V-8 engine was raised to 10.75:1, pushing output to 195 HP at 4800 rpm and torque to 235 lb⋅ft at 3200 rpm. The 4-barrel engines were available with automatic transmission only. The Jetfire engine retained its 215 HP rating and was little changed. A Delcotron alternator was standard on all models.
The Standard F-85 Convertible was retired. The three-row seating wagon was dropped.
Historical
Sales climbed again to 118,811 of which 41,418 were tagged as Cutlass Models. The Jetfire sales were 5,842.
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Factoids
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This would be the last year of the aluminum 215 CID V-8 and the Jetfire Turbocharger option. While it developed significant HP per cubic inch, its 10.25:1 compression ratio combined with boost lag and a one-barrel carburetor, resulted in finicky driving. For its time it was a highly sophisticated piece.
This 4-speed Hydra-Matic had been developed specifically for the mid-size car. It was a fairly complicated piece and tended to “rubber band” between shifts, especially under acceleration. In 1964 it would be replaced by the Jetaway 2-speed developed by Buick.
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts – Models Offered
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F-85 Standard – Standard F-85 items included: aluminized muffler; self-adjusting brakes; tubeless tires; front stabilizer bar; fiberglass hood insulation and cigarette lighter.
F-85 Models included: 4-door Sedan, 2-door Club Coupe, Convertible, and Station Wagon.
F-85 Deluxe/Cutlass – Deluxe F-85 items included: all Standard items, plus carpeting, front and rear foam seat cushion, special chrome moldings, rocker panel moldings, and DeLuxe steering wheel.
F-85 Deluxe Models included: 4-door Sedan, 2-door Cutlass Hardtop Coupe, Cutlass Convertible, and Station Wagon.
Jetfire – The Jetfire was a Cutlass Coupe with the turbocharged engine and heavy duty components. It received the model number 3147 to distinguish it from the Cutlass Coupe model 3117; internal trim was the same with the exception of Jetfire logos. A special console was fitted with a vacuum/boost gauge. Externally, specific wide belt-line molding was fitted with “Jetfire” near the rear termination of this bright metal.
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts – Engines
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215 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions: V-8. Overhead valves. Aluminum block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 215 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.50″ x 2.80″.
Compression ratio: 8.75:1.
Horsepower: 155 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 210 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 250°, Exhaust 250°, Overlap 42°, Lift 0.384″ (intake), 0.384” (exhaust).
Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel (manual transmission) 7023058 (automatic) 7023056.
215 CID 4-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions: V-8. Overhead valves. Aluminum block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 215 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.50″ x 2.80″.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 185 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 230 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 250°, Exhaust 250°, Overlap 42°, Lift 0.384″ (intake), 0.384” (exhaust).
Carburetor: Rochester 4-barrel (manual transmission) 7023055 (automatic) 7023054.
195 HP 4-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions: V-8. Overhead valves. Aluminum block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 215 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.50″ x 2.80″.
Compression ratio: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 195 @ 5000 RPM.
Torque: 230 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 250°, Exhaust 250°, Overlap 42°, Lift 0.384″ (intake), 0.384” (exhaust).
Carburetor: Rochester 4-barrel (manual transmission) 7023055 (automatic) 7023054.
NOTE: This engine was the same as the 185 HP engine except it utilized the piston/cylinder head configuration of the Jetfire.
215 CID Jetfire Turbo – All Transmissions: V-8. Overhead valves. Aluminum block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 215 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.50″ x 2.80″.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 215 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 300 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 250°, Exhaust 250°, Overlap 42°, Lift 0.384″ (intake), 0.384” (exhaust).
Carburetor: Rochester 1-barrel (manual transmission) 7023154 (automatic) 7023155.
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: All – 112 inches.
- Overall length: All – 192.4 inches.
- Overall width: All – 73.7 inches.
- Overall height: All – 52.6 inches (with 6.50 x 13 tires)
- Front track: All – 56 inches.
- Rear track: All – 56 inches.
- Standard tires: Standard – 6.50 x 13; Optional – 6.50 x 14.
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts – Powertrain Information
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 2.57:1, 2nd – 1.55:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 3.49:1 Column Shift.
- All: 1st – 2.57:1, 2nd – 1.55:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 3.49:1 Column Shift.
- Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.92:1, 3rd – 1.51:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.61:1 Floor Shift.
- All: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.92:1, 3rd – 1.51:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.61:1 Floor Shift.
- Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 3.64:1, 2nd – 3.03:1, 3rd – 1.58:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 3.57:1 Column Shift; Floor Shift when console fitted.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- V-8 3-Speed SMT: 3.08:1.
- V-8 4-Speed SMT: 3.36:1; Optional 3.08:1, 3.23:1.
- V-8 AMT: 3.23:1.
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts – Powertrain Options
- Transmissions:
- Three-speed manual transmission was standard.
- Automatic transmission was optional.
- Four-speed manual transmission with floor shift was optional.
- Positive traction rear axle available.
- Engines:
- 155 HP 215 CID V-8 Standard F-85.
- 185 HP 215 CID V-8 Standard in F-85 Deluxe (Cutlass).
- 195 HP 215 CID V-8 Hydra-Matic transmission only.
- 215 HP 215 CID V-8 Standard in Jetfire, not available all others.
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts – Significant Options
Prices where known
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- Air conditioning ($378).
- Backup lights ($11).
- Electric antenna ($26).
- Electric clock ($19).
- Electric windows. ($102).
- Luggage carrier for station wagons ($65).
- Power brakes.
- Power seat ($97).
- Power steering ($86).
- Power trunk release.
- Radio ($89).
- Radio, Super Deluxe signal seeking ($124).
- Remote control outside mirror.
- Seat belts.
- Tinted glass ($31).
- Tinted glass ($43).
- Vinyl roof.
- Windshield washer ($5).
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Car Downloads and Images
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1963 Oldsmobile Full Line Brochure
1963 Oldsmobile Sport Models Brochure
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire Engine Service Manual
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Print Ads
SEEKING: 1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Car AMA Specifications Sheets! Got One? Click HERE
1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire Road Test – Car and Driver Magazine
1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire Road Test – Car Life Magazine
1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire Hop Up & Road Test – Motor Trend Magazine
1963 Oldsmobile Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the Oldsmobile Mid-Size Line will appear below
1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire Sport Coupe
The 1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire Sport Coupe was its own unique model with exclusive exterior trim as well as deluxe interior with bucket seats and a unique center console standard – as well as the turbocharged V-8. 5,842 were delivered.
1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire Interior
This image illustrates the Jetfire’s Interior trim and console.
1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible
The 1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible was the only convertible offered this year. Trimmed as a “Cutlass” it was also part of the F-85 Deluxe line. A surprising 12,149 were built.
1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass Coupe
The 1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass Coupe was the upscale 2-door, a true hardtop. It was badged as a Cutlass although it was considered part of the F-85 Deluxe Series. The most popular Olds mid-size, 41,343 were sold.
1963 Oldsmobile F-85 DeLuxe 4-door Sedan
The 1963 Oldsmobile F-85 DeLuxe 4-door Sedan was the upscale version of the Standard 4-door. It differed in exterior brightwork and received interior upgrades. 29,269 Deluxe 4-doors were produced and only 8,937 Standard models were delivered.
1963 Oldsmobile F-85 DeLuxe Station Wagon
The 1963 Oldsmobile F-85 DeLuxe Station Wagon was the upscale version of the 1963 Mid-Size Car. The Deluxe differed from the Standard version in exterior brightwork and upscale interior trim. 6,647 Deluxe and 3,348 Standard wagons were produced.
1963 Oldsmobile F-85 Club Coupe
The 1963 Oldsmobile F-85 Club Coupe was only available as a Standard model. It was the entry level mid-size Olds this year. 11,276 were sold, about 10% of total production.