This car comes with a dilemma, as it is a former flood car. “Former, you say?” Yes, at least according to the seller, who purchased the car after deciding that it wasn’t flooded much. More about that later. They are selling it here on eBay, where bidding has already risen over $10,000. It’s located at a dealership in Canton, Georgia. Does it fall above your high water line?
We’ve covered these late model Hurst/Olds cars before on Barn Finds and despite general agreement that they are a shadow of the older versions, most folks find them attractive enough and to have sufficient performance to be entertaining. Of course, the three-stick “Lightning Rod” shifter makes for interesting conversations if nothing else, and is certainly quite unique.
Back to this particular car — we’re told the seller saw it as an unrestored, one-family car sold and kept in Texas, but that the car had been flooded. However, the water line was marked on the doors and they felt it was low enough that the car couldn’t be too badly damaged. After purchasing the car, the dealer fully flushed the transmission and rear axle, changed the engine oil & checked all the electrical components. They also fully removed the interior components and made sure all were completely dry before reinstallation.
You can see the interior here, which looks pretty good apart from some fading. We’re also told the power driver’s seat is inoperable, possibly due to the flood.
This picture was taken to validate the interior removal and show off how nice the floor looks under the carpet.
The underside of the car looks good as well. I’m curious how our readers feel about this one. The car has a “rebuilt” title, which should affect the value some as far as I’m concerned, and I appreciate the seller being so forthcoming about the flooding. But can a car like this really come back from being flooded? Please discuss in the comment section, and also let us know if you think this flood survivor is a good deal.
I’m surprised there aren’t any comments about this car. A true wannabe muscle car thats really strikes my fancy. The title issue is of some concern, however in CT you don’t need a title but it might raise some questions if sold. Still thinking hard about this one!!
Not a big deal as long as you know what you are getting. Sounds like the dealer knew the right procedure to deal with the water. I’m a videographer and shot this footage 8 years ago of tow trucks hauling cars away from new car dealership lot during a flood. The tow truck driver let me jump in and get a close up view of the procedure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4BzHutYsdM
I am curious as to why it was so important to tow those vehicles while it was still raining and risking flooding the tow vehicles.
I just asked the same question before I saw your comment
It’s a Jeep thing!
I hope those flooded cars were crushed. It’s quite a video.
I couldn’t agree with you more Fred. I once owned a car that had done a short and involuntary stint as a submarine. The dealer was competent and knew what he was doing. I owned it for seven years without a hint of a problem. I sold it and I know that it is still fine 23 years after its swim.
It looks nice even it it does have that “flood car” black eye. My insurance company will not insure them though so I’d have to pass or find a company that will.
I surprised the bidding is as high as it is. I could have bought a mint one of these from my neighbor for 5k a couple years ago.
It’s actually a classified ad so there’s no bidding. So that would open the door for an offer which I’m really tempted to do. We’ll see
Depending on the state you live in The R title could be a deal breaker. My state will not issue a title for a vehicle with R title issued from another state period. So this one’s not for me.
2 years ago I bought All original 1979 Hurst/Olds white/Gold color combo with 7,900 original miles. 350 4B, tilt steering, PS, PB, power windows, rear defrost, Factory AC, Factory AM/FM radio. I paid 21K for it. personally I Dont care for later models with Lightning rods
Alan-
I think a 1979 H/O – without T-tops would make for a very nice, nearly ‘bullet-proof’ H/O. The 1983 & 84 cars were computer engine control models with a metric transmission – built with valving to make it GO, but no strength for longevity. The T-tops were “sealed” under the stainless steel with open-cell foam rubber – which just filled up with water and started the rusting of the top structure.
I owned and drove (daily) a 1984 H/O with T-tops – it was a heck of a fun machine – but, if I look for another – it will be a 1979 version.
I’ve owned both versions and can tell you they were both leisurely cruisers, NOT musclecars.
IDK. it seems like a big potential risk. It’s insideous how water can find its way into areas and remain indetected and continue to wreak havoc. You might have to be one toke over the line to pursue this one.
With it being a flood car with the rebuild title causes a bit of trouble. Insurance would only cover partial value of the car, not total. Retitling out of state would cause an inspection as well. And if I was selling it, I would fix that power seat first. Cheap fix junk yard parts. If a dealer is doing it right.
I’m driving a 17 Ford Escape that was a freshwater flood victim when new on a dealers lot with 7 miles on the odometer. I paid about 60% of sticker price for it. The water reached the rocker panels without much interior intrusion. Damp carpets were pulled out and dried with no other visible water damage. I own a garage and gave it a good going over prior to daily use, so far 18000 miles without issue. That said, there are flood cars and there are FLOOD cars. Low level freshwater cars don’t scare me too much. Watch the evening news, you’ll see morons charging through flooded roadways sometimes deeper than the rockers without concern or incident. Stay away from saltwater cars and pay attention to the flood water levels. Remember that factory warranty’s are voided with branded title cars. No problem with insurance (my entire family drives re-builders) However tough to resell.
Sweet ride. I would have never guessed about title issues, after the fact. Water can some strange things to electronics – power window / seats / door locks, etc.If the water line was not high enough to mess up the engine computer, all else should be repairable.
If all was replaced and documented – an insurance company should be able to insure it as a finished restoration. So, the title being marked as ‘salvage’ or similar – it not being allowed to be revised to a ‘good’ title – that seems a bit absurd.
From Sept 1989 to October 1993, I used a very similar car as daily transportation – with no garage to park it in – in Lakeland, Florida. The transmission had been improperly rebuilt too many times, so I was looking for a new case. These Hurst/Olds used a special variation of this transmission – and I don’t think there were many ‘extras’ made. I would be more concerned about the transmission and the windshield frame at the T-tops. – But now, I would need to investigate the ‘branded title’
I wonder where “MY” H/O is – it was number 1319 of the 3500 built, with a final inspection / build date of 13 January 1984 – happened to be a Friday!
I think I’d take a chance on it but NO higher then the $10000 grand it’s at right now. Nice G Body though.
Great video Fred ! I ran tow trucks in N.Y. for many years but never drove my equipment through water like that….
There’s a reason these were, and still are so popular- “just look at it!” (That YouTube guy comes to mind LOL) This generation parked next to a pre-81 really illustrates how awkward the 78-80 models looked. It appears this one was done right post-flood and judging from the strong bidding, a lot of people must not be scared off by its history or have issues in their states with registration. Older cars like these with little-to-no electronics mounted in the floor/trunk pans fare much better than the tech-laden cars of present. I’m not affiliated with Cherokee Auto Group but they are a reputable dealership and usually have a lot of unique one-owner cars. I’ve been there several times over the years, seem to be straight-up folks.
As previously mentioned, embociles drive through higher water than that all the time. Those drivers should have a corresponding branding noted on their driver’s license….
Meh…
I believe those “lightening rods” were meant to resemble the shifter(s) in the pro stock dragsters, although there’s a huge difference between the two. Great big difference actually. Still a nice car.🐋🐙
I think these were $12-14k new…I think this one is way overpriced. Beautiful car, I always liked them, but not this one. Just my opinion, worth exactly what I charged you for it …. zero
This generation of Cutlasses are handsome cars and I’ve met several satisfied collectors. This one looks good, but a salvage title is still a salvage title no matter how well or thoroughly the vehicle was fixed. In my experience the rebuilt title takes 60% off the retail price.
And this opinion is worth exactly as much as BRAKTRCR’s.
Seems really clean in the photos, but do I detect rust starting under the passenger door seam?
As expected sale pending.