1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass XF-85Artist: Ben Hermance * www.hermancedesign.comThe XF-85 is intended to be a modernized Pro-Street interpretation of a '65 Cutlass/F-85. It's a no-nonsense, quarter-mile brawler that has enough road manners to cruise home in style with a glovebox full of ET slips. Aside from the Air Force "Experimental Fighter" theme carried subtly through the ghosted silver graphics, Ben wanted the car to have a clean, high-tech look. He also wanted to retain as much of the original styling as possible, since that's what drew him to the car in the first place. The concept of form following function is evident in the fabricated aluminum chin and rear spoilers, additional air intakes, chopped roof, and flush-mounted glass for aerodynamic improvement.
Exterior* Composite nose, doors, trunk lid* Custom adjustable chin spoiler with air intake* Custom rear deck spoiler* Ram air inlets replace high-beam headlights; single high/low beam lights with integrated directionals* Smooth polished aluminum bumpers with additional front air intake* 442 decorative fender vents relocated to front fenders on the opposite sides, made functional to exhaust hot air from engine bay* Side-exit double-outlet dual exhaust* Top chopped two inches* Flush-mounted windshield* Vent window delete* Concealed side window trim for a clean, flush-side glass appearance* Smoothed driprail; shaved handles, emblems, body, hood moldings* Ghosted Air Force graphics and panel rivets* Tire: MT Sportsman S/R 33X22R15 (rear), 26x7.50R15 (front)* Wheels: Weld Racing 15-inch Magnum Drag 2.0 with black powdercoat center
Interior* Back seat delete* Full rollcage* Custom aluminum console, door, dash/gauge inserts; custom A-pillar gauge pods, military-style black-face, high-contrast gauges; custom billet shifter inspired by fighter joystick; aircraft-style switches on dash and overhead console; carbon-fiber racing sea
Chassis And Driveline* Twin-turbo big-block Olds 455, bored to 496, 900+ hp* TH400 three-speed with carbon-fiber driveshaft* Narrowed 9-inch Ford rearend with 35-spline axles* Custom 4-link rear end* Panhard bar* Coilover suspension all around* Custom frame stiffener braces* Aluminum fuel cell with external fuel shutoff switch* Battery relocated to trunk