There’s something about a Hurst/Olds that stops people in their tracks, and this 1983 Oldsmobile Hurst listed here on eBay feels like one of those cars that would spark conversation wherever it goes. With a clean title and just 35,547 miles, the seller describes it as a classic that’s been garage kept and well cared for, and it sounds like a fun one for anyone who wants a bit of muscle with their ’80s nostalgia.
Oldsmobile brought the Hurst name back in the early ’80s to give the Cutlass lineup a performance-focused edge again, and this example continues that spirit—with a few twists. While originally equipped with a different powerplant, this one currently runs a rebuilt 350 V8 sourced from a 1979 Cutlass, with aluminum heads, an Edelbrock intake, a 750 dual-feed carb, and headers. The seller doesn’t know the cam size, but based on the description, it sounds like the car was built with some extra punch in mind. They report that it runs consistently at 180 degrees, has strong oil pressure, and has never overheated during their ownership.
Backing up that engine is one of the most iconic features of the ’83 Hurst/Olds: the Lightning Rod shifters. Love them or not, they instantly set this model apart from a standard Cutlass and are a major conversation starter at any show. The seller has also fitted a Grand National rear end with 3.73 gears, which should make the car feel lively off the line. A fresh set of tires has recently been installed as well.
Inside, the car seats five with a burgundy interior, and while the seller keeps the condition summary pretty simple, they do note a few items needing attention. The A/C needs a recharge, the moonroof isn’t working, and there’s no radio currently installed. Still, the seller emphasizes that the car is clean, undamaged, drives great, and is fast—which is the kind of straightforward honesty most buyers can appreciate. They also mention that it draws plenty of compliments, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows how attention-grabbing these cars can be.
For someone looking for a Hurst/Olds that blends period style with some tasteful performance upgrades, this one could be a compelling option. Would you keep building on it, or return it closer to stock?
Definitely keep it as is. These weren’t the greatest performers coming out of the showroom.
I absolutely love these cars. My parents had an 83 Calais (the sport model at that time) and an 84 Calais, and I had an 82 Calais with t-tops. I miss them all!
But I think the odds are that is a 135K mile car, not 35K. Motor from a 79. Front grills from an 1984. Steering wheel from an 84. Radio gone. Moon roof does not work. AC does not work. Does not sound much like a legit 35K mile car.
Exactly some of these items should be fixed.
About these low mileage claims. The odometer itself is the dead giveaway. As a retired automotive electronics tech who specialized in cluster and stereo repair I can tell you, if the first three numbers on these counters don’t align, the odo has either turned over, or someone fiddled with it. I notice there’s no picture of the odometer in the ad. Like you said, very likely not a 35k mile car.
These would have been normally an all show-no-go from the factory, considering they were fitted with an emissions strangled engine, but substituting a massaged 350 in place of the original lump no doubt brought this snazzy looking car to life!
Current bid is $7900 and under reserve. Considering what doesn’t work and the very real likelihood that there’s another 100k miles on the car, that’s getting pretty near all of the money.
No doubt a fun car though.
For younguns’, a little extra history on why they even offered this tomfoolery. In the mid-80s, GM was the absolute hottest stick at the dragstrip. At the time, Pro Stock cars had this goofy setup, not sure why( and why Pro Stock cars are stick at all), so GM thought it would be a sure fire hit. It wasn’t. I can’t find how many had the Lightning Rods or it’s cost, but essentially, an O/D, similar to Ramblers setup. I read, 3001 1983 Hurst Olds were made, and very few had this option. It was supposed to take attention away from the lackluster performance. I saw one of these at a show once, when I asked the owner what those was like, he said he just leaves it in “D”.
As to your comment on GM’s being the hottest things on the drag strip in the mid-80’s? Bob Glidden word like a word…
Bob Glidden was the undisputed best. The “Professor” (Warren Johnson) and his kid gave Bob plenty of headaches though.
All H/O’s in 83 and 84 were equipped with the lightning rod shifters, it was part of the H/O package and not available on other Cutlasses.
I was thinking ( oh boy everybody WATCH OUT). IVE seen so many pictures of the Hurst Lightning Rods all through the years. And yet, never ever saw one in person. Hooking something like that to a THM 200 4R with a higher output Olds 307 was about the best that could be done in the early 80’s. I totally respect the individual for keeping it in the family with an Olds 350 going under the hood. Looking at the pictures on my phone it looks like its in good shape. These were totally out of reach for a teenager like me back in the 80’s.
The odometer is kmh I believe its been rolled once based on all the pictures the car pre dates car fax and Auto check both sites aren’t perfect but they help to try and track miles hire someone who’s a expert or go see it in person before bidding.
All the gauges are metric, so this must have been delivered in Canada. Not sure if that made any difference when new.
It’s a bitsa.
bid is at 10,500 as of now. this looks good but there are a quite a few negatives, original motor gone non-working sunroof missing radio, door panels cut for speakers. these cars will only pull big money when they are unmolested and everything in working order. this should be looked at in person as i get the feeling there are some hidden issues. rust on the vin # is a bit concerning. i was at the dealer when these were new and drove them around. yeah, they weren’t the peppiest cars at the time bit they sounded good and road decent. it’s a shame this 1 has been modified not many of them that are left in stock condition
FYI: 83 H/O’s came with an 8.5” 3.73 rear gear diff. GN’s came with 3.42 rears. Both not necessarily posi though, that was optional.
I’m probably in the minority, but I’ve always felt that while the car looked great all around, the lighting rod shifters were gimmicky. We all knew they were slow, no matter how you shifted them. I guess it’s all about sales and marketing
having owned one and enamoured with the “sticker hp” cars of my youth (77 mustang cobra or even the 77 cutlass 442 anyone?)
a few red flags
– front grille inserts from 84 >>> 83 was a grille not waterfall
– chrome lid on air clearner missing, yes different engine but that WAS an H/O feature in those years (vs. just painted metal)
– seeing what looks like overspray on the doors over the labels
– alot of wear on the vents (silver worn off. that takes ALOT of effort, seeing at the vents where H/O bade is at passenger side)
– must have gone around at least once.. the chipping damage on the rear plastic means the plastic has been REALLY exposed to sun (see driver door latch side upper part)
– that rusty vin is REALLY strange. Now maybe the drain holes on the sunroof are filled, overflowed ran down inside of windshield or w/s cracked, not replaced for awhile or even bad install water getting under w/s bottom
anyway, GLWTS
As many have pointed out already concerning non original parts, (engine, grille inserts, chrome air cleaner etc) there’s another original item that’s missing which really makes these cars stand out in my opinion. All 1983 H/O’s came factory with 15 inch chrome wheels and this car has the 14 inch chrome ones that were available on other Cutlass models of the 80’s. Not only are the rim sizes different, but the spokes and the color that was painted inside them were different also. And as someone pointed out about the metric instruments, yes those which were exported to Canada had that cluster, and out of the 3,001 that were made in 1983, 201 of those went up there.
yes, there is something strange with the speedo. vin starts with a 1 which means it was built in USA. if it were a 2 then it would have been made in Canada then it would be in kilometers. there is some dirty pool IMO. buyer beware!
135k more like it.