While it might not be perfect, it would seem that this 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst/Olds is a solid classic that needs little more than a light cosmetic restoration. With only 3,001 examples having been built, the 1983 Hurst/Olds was a relatively rare car when it was new. Over the intervening years, hard-living and rust issues have claimed many of those cars, meaning that solid examples like this one have become highly coveted. It is now looking for a new home, so if you think that the new home could be yours, you will find the Olds located in Charlotte, Michigan, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding is currently sitting at $6,800, and the reserve has been met.

As is the case so often, there will always be at least one exception to every rule, and it seems as though this Hurst/Olds might represent that exception. With 3,001 examples rolling off the line in 1983, these weren’t a particularly common car. In fact, had Oldsmobile felt inclined to build more, there is no doubt that they also would have been snapped up by an eager buying public. They did, however, have two main enemies. The first was owners who would thrash their car mercilessly until it cried enough. The second was more sinister, and that was rust. I won’t say that this car is completely rust-free, but with the owner stating that the floors are solid, that isn’t a bad starting point. I’ve had a close look at the two exterior photos that the owner supplies and the lower extremities of the body look to be very clean and solid. I can see some staining appearing from under the bases of the exterior mirrors, and this is a sign that there are some issues starting to develop there. However, if the car’s next owner tackles this quickly, they might be able to prevent a small issue from becoming a major long-term problem. The vehicle’s panels are generally fairly straight, although there are a few minor marks and dings. The original chrome wheels look to be in good condition, and while the photos are pretty limited, it would seem that a fairly light cosmetic restoration is all that would be needed to return the Oldsmobile’s exterior presentation to its best once again.

American manufacturers in the 1980s were continuing to struggle to extract reasonable levels of engine performance across their model range in the face of tightening emission regulations. Oldsmobile was no exception, but they did at least manage to squeeze some acceptable performance out of the ’83 Hurst/Olds. This was a car that came equipped with a 307ci V8 engine and an automatic transmission, and while it could be a civilized and comfortable “gentleman’s” car, it could also cover the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds. That might not be fast by today’s standards, but in 1983 it was considered to be quite respectable. This particular vehicle currently isn’t numbers-matching, but there is no reason why it couldn’t be once again. The original 307 has been pulled, and in its place, there is now an Oldsmobile 350ci V8. The owner says that the car runs well, and there is no reason why it couldn’t be driven and enjoyed immediately. Of course, if the next owner is fixated on originality, then the 350 is going to present them with some problems. Well, fear not! The owner also has the original engine, and this is to be included in the sale.

Ah, 1980s plastic. There is nothing in the world that deteriorates quite like 1980s plastic. The interior of the Olds isn’t actually horrendous, but there is plenty of evidence of deterioration. The covers on the seats are starting to look tired, and there are holes in evidence in a few spots. The plastic on the backs of both front seats has deteriorated badly and is quite discolored. I’ve seen people try to address these sorts of issues, but with varying degrees of success. Some of the plastic on the door trims is also beginning to show its age, while we can’t see the state of either the dash pad (cover in the way) or the headliner. For all of its faults and foibles, the interior still does have a couple of positive attributes. The first of these is that it is serviceable, and there is no reason why the vehicle couldn’t be driven and enjoyed immediately. The second and more important is that it remains original and unmolested. If the next owner wishes to restore the Oldsmobile to the point where it will command a top-dollar value, then originality will be the key to their success. That makes this something of a plus point with this car. As far as luxury appointments are concerned, the vehicle comes equipped with air conditioning, power windows, a 6-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.

The 1983 Hurst/Olds is like any normal classic, and that is that when it comes to value, condition and originality are king. Having said that, values of these have taken quite a nasty hit over the past 12 months. What we are talking about here is a drop to the tune of around 10%, and though there has been some recovery, it has been very slight. Really pristine examples can still achieve values of close to $30,000, but it is also possible to locate the occasional clean “daily driver” for around $15,000. My own personal opinion is that this is a car that does have some potential, but just how strong that potential is will be dependent on the final sale price. If it is as solid and rust-free as the owner claims, then at any price at or below around $12,000, it could be a pretty reasonable buy. That would leave some money in the pot to whip the paint and the interior into shape and would give the owner the greatest chance of tackling a project with a decent chance of remaining financially viable.