Hiding in this barn is a classic that has lain dormant for around a quarter century. It is a 1979 Hurst Oldsmobile W-30, and while it has cosmetic needs, it retains firm foundations for a restoration project. The seller dragged it out of hiding, completing a thorough clean so potential buyers can clearly see what they would receive for their money. The W-30 is listed here on eBay in Lebanon, Tennessee. Bidding sits below the reserve at $5,600, although there is plenty of time for the situation to change.
Oldsmobile released its first Hurst/Olds in 1968, with the badge remaining a consistent member of the product range until 1975. The company revived it in 1979 for what was intended to be a one-off before its final appearance in 1983 and ’84. This 1979 edition needs love, but its tired Cameo White paint and distinctive Gold highlights hide a remarkably solid classic. The storage photos indicate it spent twenty-five years in a dry environment, helping to explain the total absence of penetrating rust. Surface corrosion is visible in various locations, but the grinder and welder can stay in the cupboard for this build. Its underside is rock-solid, including the prone area around the rear bumper mounts. The panels feature minor blemishes, but there are no issues justifying steel replacement. The chrome and glass are in good order for their age, and the alloy wheels with the unique Gold highlights look excellent.
This classic’s interior is the surprise packet because the only apparent significant flaw is the cracked pad. This is concealed under a high-quality cover, which is probably wise since replacement pads aren’t falling out of trees. An overlay could provide a more permanent solution, but with those retailing for around $250, the new owner may choose to bide their time until a spotless secondhand pad appears on one of the usual online auction sites. Otherwise, light wear on the wheel is the only other fault. The cloth seatcovers are free from wear, the carpet looks surprisingly clean, and there are no signs of crumbling plastic or aftermarket additions. The new owner receives working air conditioning, a tilt wheel, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player. The only non-functioning item is the fuel gauge, but diagnosing the fault shouldn’t be difficult.
To fully understand the impact The Malaise Era had on vehicle performance, we only need to compare the power and performance of the 1969 Hurst/Olds with our feature car. The 1969 edition featured a 455ci V8 producing 380hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque. Those figures fell to 170hp and 275 ft/lbs a decade later for this car’s 350ci powerplant. The impact was evident when pointing both at a ¼-mile. The older car could storm through the trap in 14.3 seconds, but that blew out to 17 seconds in 1979. The difference is profound but within buyer expectations during that period. The seller is sparing when revealing details of this Hurst beyond indicating it is original and unmolested. It is unclear whether it is roadworthy, but replacing the ancient tires would be wise before the new owner ventures onto the open road.
Cars from The Malaise Era aren’t the most potent on the planet but they occupy a significant place in automotive history. If nothing else, they provide a clear insight into how far the industry has evolved since those dismal days when a muscle car produced less power than a current hot hatch. This W-30 is 1-of-2,499 cars produced during 1979, and while bidding interest hasn’t been intense, it suggests people see potential in this classic. Do you like it enough to submit a bid, or are cars from this era not your cup of tea?
You can’t directly compare gross and net HP ratings.
Yes of course, that 455 is more powerful.
But it’s not 210 real HP more powerful.
Very cool cars, love the square lines, and front end. Cant ask too much more from the good Dr. Olds in 79′. 3spd autoloader, 350 rocket 🚀 4 barrel, 2.75 gear ⚙️, 3.08 optional. Pretty sweet 😎
These were very interesting cars. And it was an attempt to put some pizazz back into Oldsmobile. Most of these are long gone or rusted out pieces of cr**.
Somebody is going to get themselves a really unique automobile. And it doesn’t have that stupid lightning rod shifter the 80’s cars had.
I agree with you completely on the Lighting Rod shifters! Now people are swapping them into Grand Nationals, and they look really stupid!
I like it a lot. 350 Olds is a great engine.Did a lot of rocker arm bridges on these for engine ticking.4tires and I’d replace the heater control valve on the intake as they always went bad and leaked , go thru the brakes,belts hoses , fluids etc. .Has those stupid clips on the rear wheel cylinders instead of bolts.I think I still have a tool for those to spread the ring tabs.Duals and glass packs for sure.606 Saginaw steering gear pinion shaft seal kit too.Probably a poor ground for the fuel gauge which is located above the diff with a little self tapper screw. Someone replaced the original looped heater hose with a red one that goes from the valve to the core.I was told long ago Olds put the loop in for cabin noise reduction. Nice car glwts.
I haven’t thought of those stupid wheels cylinder clips for years! Thanks maggy…
Screwdriver to remove brake clips , can’t remember exact size but thin wall socket and Hammer to install
Tool made it a lot easier. The clip would spread evenly and go right on.Loosen it and tap the tabs into the cylinder . let one bleed while you put the other on. that ones bled then wait a minute or so close the bleeder and pump the pedal and open one more time and you’re done.When you’re on book time you gotta be efficient,fast and accurate to make $.
Looking at the interior shots. Oldsmobile did a heck of a job, sealing this car up. Sitting in a barn for decades, and no rodent infestation! Nice car!
To bad it wasnt ordered with T-tops. Bidders would be all over it. A 1979 in that shape are difficult to find. 6g seems very reasonable to have a blast from the past.
I personally think it’s much more desirable because it because it doesn’t have leaky, rattling T tops
I had one more heavily optioned than that one. It had T tops and leather seats. A cassette player and the 3.08 rear end same color scheme. The other one sold was A black and Gold. Wish I had mine back….
Had an ’80, beautiful car,just a little light in the rear. Wife was driving one morning with our eight month old daughter when a woman blew the stop sign. Caved in the driver’s side door,cowl,fender and bent the frame. Luckily everyone was ok. Pulled the engine and trans and transplanted into an ’82 that had a bad engine.
Thank you my thoughts exactly
I owned a 79 Olds Cutlass back in the day. It had T-tops bucket seats and a floor shift. It wasn’t a Hurst Olds but it was a nice car. I really liked it a lot. It was an extra car and I didn’t have a place to park it and the state made me get rid of it. Very frustrating. Wish I had it now because now I have a place to park it. Too bad things can’t work out the way you want them to always. Wouldn’t mind owning this one. Not in the cards.
Thank God it doesn’t have t-tops. Clean up the fuel issue and some interior cosmetics, and if the buyer gets it reasonable, take it to a good resto shop and paint it.
T-tops and how it was stored would have made this Hurst olds very desireable and probably would way exceed the initial price to sell. Almost bought a 1979. Settled for a 1979 Z-28 instead.
My biggest gripes about t-tops are the leak issues from old seals and the interior fade from sun.
I do, however get the value factor. They’re just not for me.
Now this is a barn find, look at all that dust!
Have to agree with some of you guys, would love to see t-tops on this car. We had a 1980 + 1981 Trans Am and a 1985 Olds Cutlass Salon, all three had t-tops and none leaked. So many complaints about them leaking, just a small gasket. The benefits outweigh the negatives if you like the open air feel but don’t want a convertible. In the Boston area t-tops we’re better than a convertible for open air feel imo. We never worried about someone taking a knife to the top and breaking into the car.
Love this Cutlass! Someone’s gonna get a cool cruise down memory lane!
I have a black and gold one with 40,000 actual miles. Two recent sales I heard about for 79 W-30 olds were between $28,000 and $39,000 depending on condition. I think someone is going to get a real bargain unless the bidding goes up considerably.