The performance-focused Olds 442 joined the Cutlass line-up in 1964 and stayed through 1980, only to be revived two more times. During that run, the Hurst/Olds would pop up from time to time, including four years in a row from 1972-75. That car was the by-product of a lengthy partnership between Oldsmobile and Hurst Performance. This 1975 edition checks all the boxes: 442, Hurst/Olds – and the W-30 option which provided a 455 V8. This low-volume car is situated in Newbury, Vermont and available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $8,000 (offers will be considered). Thanks, Tommy T-Tops for finding this neat car for us!
1975 marked the first year that a GM car could be had with a removable T-Top style roof – and that car was the Hurst/Olds. The seller’s automobile was equipped this way (nicknamed the “Hurst Hatch”) and the Hurst/Olds was now based on the more formal Cutlass Supreme rather than the Cutlass S fastback in 1973-74. 442-based Hurst/Olds production for ’75 was limited to 2,535 copies, split roughly 50/50 between cars painted black vs. white. And under 1,200 of them had the W-30 package, adding the 190 horsepower, 350 lb.-ft of torque big-block V8 to the mix. 1975 was also the first year that EPA-mandated catalytic converters would become a part of the exhaust system.
The seller’s car is said to be a matching numbers car, which should add to the appeal for prospective buyers. The only transmission available in the car was a Turbo-Hydramatic which this machine has with the Hurst “Dual Gate” shifter. The seller says the car is solid overall, so we assume that also applies to its running condition at roughly 88,500 miles. The body looks good overall, but the paint is starting to show its age. However, what’s there today is good enough if the buyer wants to hold off on a respray. We’re told the t tops are in great shape with no chips or scratches.
For whatever reason, the original white Strato (swivel) bucket seats were removed and replaced with black seats from another era that don’t match at all. And they have rips in them. The seller has the original seats although they and the rear seat might benefit from being reupholstered. We’re told the dash is good and all the electronics work as they should except for the digital tachometer (which was supplied by Hurst). These cars don’t pop up for sale very often because there weren’t many of them to begin with.
Olds definitely made the best-looking of the post-1972 A bodies, even with the giant bumpers. If I had space in my garage I’d be happy to have this parked there. I have’t seen one with a a T-top before, but it’s a great sporty-looking flourish in lieu of the discontinued convertible and hardtop. Perhaps the growing popularity of a/c made it a rare option?
I think the Buick versions were pretty too. http://momentcar.com/images/buick-regal-1975-11.jpg
The 455 was actually a small block !
The Olds 455 is NOT a small block.
“The 455 was actually a small block” No it wasn’t. That’s 100% wrong. Perhaps you are confusing it with the 403 introduced in 1977, which replaced the 455 for top engine option. The 403 was an overbore of the 350.
lol…huh?
Who in their correct mind would put those gawd awful front seats in a beautiful 442? Sadly , This makes me wonder about the rest of the car.
Mr. Dixon….. I believe the first GM car with T-tops was the ’68 Corvette.
You’re right on the T-tops. The ’75 H/O was the first with glass tops. If I recall, they were called the Hurst Hatch. I could be wrong on the last part.
Nice looking car. I remember cars like this from my childhood.
Thru an offer at him with some other questions so we shall see.
Incorrect chris s,the 455 was not a small block,but the largest big block oldsmobile offered until 1976,now from 77-79 a 403 was offered in certain cars,but not any cutlass from the factory, that was the largest small block offered in that era,and had a huge bore,and no water jackets,and were prone to overheating.
I like this olds,I would source the correct seats and eventually re-paint it,correct color etc,but I’m sure the car could be enjoyed right now for not a lot of money.
This isn’t a 442, in 1975 the Hurst Olds was based on the Supreme body style, the 442 was still available on the Cutlass “S”.
I had a 75 Buick Century Indy pace car replica with the Hurst Hatch t tops, wish I still had it… I wanted an Olds 442 but ended up with the Buick, still a great car…
Unknown if sold. Car needed brakes and all the fluids changed out, so unknown as to how long the car has sat. I was considering it but had a death in the family on Sunday morning and that ended going any further with a possible purchase.