On nine occasions between 1968 and 1984, Oldsmobile partnered with Hurst Performance for special editions of the 442 or Cutlass Supreme. The last iterations came in 1983-84 and are noted for their (somewhat) gimmicky Lighting Rods Shifters. This ‘84 edition wears a more recent repaint job yet has rust in the trunk and some mechanical issues to be sorted out. Located in Madison, Connecticut, the fancy Olds is waiting for the first bid of $8,500 to be cast here on eBay.
After a 4-year hiatus, the Hurst/Olds returned in 1983, based on the G-body Cutlass Supreme (rear-wheel-drive). This was promoted as the 15th Anniversary edition and sported black paint with silver rocker panels plus chrome wheels. To make the car look as bold as possible, a power bulge hood was included along with a rear spoiler. A 307 cubic inch V8 was part of the package, slightly beefier than what came in the standard Supreme.
Demand was strong and 3,001 copies were built in 1983 with another 3,500 in 1984 when the paint scheme was reversed, and silver would dominate. Mechanically the cars were unchanged except for a stronger rear end. The Lighting Rods were featured in both model years, and they probably took some getting used to. The Hurst/Olds option added about $8,500 to the cost of the Supreme when new.
Though this Olds was repainted not that long ago, it’s rough around the edges. For example, there’s a decent hole in the trunk floor. Did they choose to overlook it when it was in the body shop, or did it develop after the machine was resprayed? We’re told the car has been garage-parked to keep it out of the weather, but for how long? While the exterior looks good, the interior is showing its 137,000 miles and could stand to be cleaned, though the upholstery on the front bucket seats needs repair or replacement. And the dashpad is weather-worn (note the rusty VIN plate on the dash).
A bunch of new stuff resides in this H/O, including a new fuel tank, battery, and tires. But more attention is needed, such as a broken reservoir for wiper fluid, some leaking power steering fluid, a leaking control valve for coolant, and (most troubling) a check engine light that won’t go off. The seller provides an Experion Auto Check Report that scores the car below average, perhaps due to correction of the Florida title (why?). Three prior owners are noted.
Let’s see.
Olds? Check.
Two doors? Check.
Decent low-rust? Nope.
Funky shifter? Nossir.
Power? Heck nossir.
Skip the Hurst; take the 69 Toronado.
where’s the edit button – 70 Toro…
I’m surprised water leaked into trunks in ’80s GM cars – ’70s & earlier not at all surprised – even when some of those were new!
I thought all GM VIN pads were made from plastic from the ’70s onward.
I wonder how the rear frame rail extensions are. They have a tendency to rot out right where they curve down and head toward the trunk. What’s under the re-paint? I would say it’s realistically $4-5k car, but with the way the market is now he may end up getting 10k for it
Dr Olds sees this dirty example, wants it tidied up and a Rocket 🚀 350 installed.
It needs a 400 hp 455.
No lighting shifter no way. That was one of the biggest selling points of the car. 4k is more realistic after you fix everything you still at the top of the cars worth.
The Lightning Rod shifter is clearly visible in the interior shot.
I would say 4k at the most.
Needs a lot of work.
And what about the engine. I’m thinking a rebuild engine.
way too suspicious the damage… hole in the drain rail of the trunk… NEVER seen that…all the chrome inside is rusty… like windshield was missing or maybe a flood victim but not claimed as such. Title says clean… used to it saying CLEAR. Undercoat hiding “mud” on door seams? (not seems crisp body lines there… rotted trunk which makes one wonder about the rails over the axles, another common failure point where mud gets up there and sits.
Anyway, way too much on inside and all around suspicious… GLWTS
Gimmick shifters for sure. A friend and I put them in his 80s Camaro.
They didn’t add anything to performance and a week into using them he ignored the first and second levers.
The 80s were lean times in US automotive options.
That’s my experience, too. I had an 84 H/O just like this one but in much better shape about 10 years ago. The lightening rods were fun…funnish…for the first couple of weeks and people got a kick out of them when they saw them. But functionally I stopped using them pretty quickly.
I would give $8,500.00 but really not much more than that. Someone started the restoration backwards. Should’ve started with mechanical, then interior, then body and paint. That way you don’t trash the paint. Looks like this needs pretty much all new interior and sandblast underneath. Undercoating. New exhaust and a rebuilt motor. A cam and aluminum heads would wake it up a little. Would take to much to make it a show car so a top of the line daily driver would be the right way to go. I doubt you’re going to find any surprises and it would give you something to do for a while and you’d end up with a pretty nice car. Never get your money back so only do this one if you plan on keeping it. Always liked this style. Between the Cutlass and the Regal, not to bad. Add a touch of power and you have a pretty nice weekender. If only.
Davey,
Isn’t it already a driver?