Muscle-era survivor Hurst/Olds

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Oldsmobile
The Hurst/Olds graphics leave no doubt that this is a special model

One of General Motors’ final highlights of the original muscle-car era came via the collaboration of Oldsmobile and Hurst shifters, starting in 1968 when the Hurst/Olds 442 became a thing.

The Pick of the Day is a 1973 Oldsmobile Hurst W30, based on the Cutlass S fastback coupe and powered by a massive 455cid Rocket V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust. This was one of the last gasps for high-performance cars from the Big 3, and it ended the era in high style.

Oldsmobile
Fewer than 1,100 Hurst/Olds examples were produced for 1973

With a handsome new body design and festooned with special paint, graphics and wheels, and a Hurst Dual-Gate shifter working the automatic transmission, the Hurst/Olds carried on the partnership. These specials are fairly rare, with fewer than 1,100 produced.

These cars were not performance dynamos compared with those of the heady pre-’71 days of muscle car mania. But the W30 version did produce a solid 250 horsepower that allowed the midsize coupe to accelerate with gusto, and chassis and suspension tweaks that improved its handling.

Oldsmobile
A rumbling 455cid Rocket V8 provides loads of torque

This Hurst/Olds has gone just 34,000 miles and stands in immaculate condition, according to the Lakeland, Florida, dealer advertising the coupe on ClassicCars.com.

The revised Cutlass body styling was an improvement over previous years, with a flowing grille that slips behind and under the still-slim bumper.  The special white-and-gold paint package works very well here.

The white-leather interior appears to be very clean, and the dashboard includes the array of Hurst/Olds sport gauges.  The photos with the ad show off some of the special features, such as the swiveling front bucket seats for easy entrance and exit.

Oldsmobile
The front seats swivel for easy entrance and exit

For such a rare piece of muscle-car history in fine, low-mileage condition, the asking price of $19,999 seems like a bargain.  This attractive Olds would be a standout at local car shows, and would certainly make Linda Vaughn, Miss Hurst Shifter, mighty proud.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

 

7 COMMENTS

  1. Bought one new in 73. Was never in the snow, but the body under the trim strip had big rust bubbles within the first 6 months. Had no power, 100 MPH top in. Hated that car. Much rather had a 68 – 72.

  2. I love your car. I have an 84 supreme. V6. I just love cutlass. I hope to find a big body big block 4 spd some day.
    Enjoy that beautiful cutlass. 😁

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