What a neat car: a genuine 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst/Olds W30, still equipped with all the cool features that made this package so tempting to buyers in 1975. While not nearly the powerhouse that it used to be, this generation of the Hurst/Olds combined a more sedate appearance with some genuine upgrades courtesy of the company’s partnership with Hurst. The seller claims this barn find example just needs cosmetics to be made great again, and comes with the full assortment of added equipment. Find it here on craigslist in Phoenix for $8,000.
The Hurst/Olds package came in two flavors: W-25 and W-30. This is a case of the latter, as the first owner was part of the smaller batch of customers that chose to step up to the larger 455 engine. The package also featured a Hurst/Hatch T-Top roof panel, swivel seats, the Hurst dual-gate shifter, unique wheels, body striping, and more. Seeing as this example has likely sat idle for quite some time, it’s amazing those desirable parts were never pillaged – particularly the 455 and the swivel seats, which could be dropped into a model not so equipped.
The use of a T-Top roof on a bigger luxury coupe such as this is a truly unique look, but according to a great write-up by Hemmings, this captured perfectly the market Oldsmobile was trying to go after: a customer that still wanted a muscle car and the looks of such a vehicle, but couldn’t be seen tear-assing around the corporate lot with a souped-up coupe. The Hurst/Olds partnership in 1975 created a car that blended the appearance of a more mature, upscale coupe with some of the must-haves that any muscle car junkie would crave. Clearly, the cosmetics needs some help.
Fortunately, the Olds still runs and drives, and the seller mentions that it benefits from a fair amount of recent mechanical updates. The badges are faded but still there, denoting that there’s a 455 under the hood. The body is straight, despite the sun damage undoubtedly caused by the fierce Arizona sunshine. Here’s the question for me: yes, it’s rare. Yes, it’s complete. However, it’s certainly not the most desirable Hurst/Olds offering ever made, and the seller claims restored cars are fetching $30K. Do you think there’s potential for this one to be worth that much?
Always be wary when the seller pushes restored “value”, especially when they use three exclamation points. If he want close to that price he needs to write s better ad and included better pictures. Does it have matching numbers? What options does it have? What’s the condition of the interior? What about rust? He never touched on those issues.
Steve R
Might be over priced, but I don’t think the seller is pushing the restored value of the car. It’s more like informing potential buyers of what a restored one may be worth. Seems like great advertising by providing that information. It’s also quite common.
Many sellers don’t really understand what the cost is to restore any car these days. Most restoration shops charge $50.-$150. An hour and can rack up to 1200 hrs on a restoration and we are not even talking about parts and paint material cost .As we see at auctions the build cost $100,000. And the car sells for $45,000. Some are not the best investment.
As bad as the dashboard looks, you have to assume that the interior is TOAST. He’s really reaching if he thinks he can get 8K for it.
This is what Collector Car Values think it worth.
Collector Car Value Report
1975 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS HURST-OLDS AT
MOBILE
#5 #4 #3 #2 #1
2dr Hardtop 3525 7700 12025 17275 26775
I’m certainly not in the market for one, but…
Have to assume the price has some negotiation room in it (though that concept seem to have gone the way of the buffalo)
And it is a 2 door Arizona car… That means something to us east coasters
Since it runs and drives and isn’t full of holes, its certainly not in #5 condition
So yeah, probably priced about book value. I know, I know; book value means bull squat. But I’m not the one that pulled out the old car price guide.
I agree with some of your points. #5 would be a parts car. It’s a little better then that but not by much. To restore it you would be over the value of it quickly. Once done you’d have resign yourself to the fact that there wouldn’t be much demand for it.
These H/O W-30 cars are a shadow of their former selves. The performance was long gone by ’72 and these are really nothing more than a Cutlass with an additional sticker and a fancy (leak prone) roof. I see zero incentive for one to take on a project such as this one. The costs will quickly surpass value and your left with a design that isn’t very desirable on the collector market.
Hey Owner! Next time put the canvas OVER the frame.
ANY prices advertized in today’s market are negotiable! Many sellers obviously put a tag sometimes 50% above obvious sell price, knowing EVERY buyer will haggle anyway.
As for the prices people are talking about in a restoration workshop or for a show quality paint, I think many are over-doing it. Isn’t this a HOBBY right, where you’re supposed to do most of the work yourselves or together with friends? The way I see it learning by doing and to challenge myself is the real award of the hobby – not how much it’d cost me to have someone do it or how much value the car may gain. Unless one aspires for any car show awards, a decent amatur paint job doesn’t need cost a fortune. With some practice and directions from pros quite nice results can be achieved even with a $30 spray gun
Excellent points and each applies to my current project (hobby). Many have lost sight of the original ideas of the car communities back in the 40s and 50s.
The problem with this car is that the mid-70s GM cars used self-destructing plastic for the interior parts, and those are unobtanium today. A desert car may be rust-free, but by now it’s also “plastic-free”. You’ll only need to spend $40K to make that into a $30K car.
As much as I am an Oldsmobile enthusiast among other things, the answer here is no, unless you want to save the car and keep it for along period of time. With regard to values, I think we’re headed for a correction in the next year or so. If you are looking for appreciation this isn’t it, but it’s unique, when in proper tune goes well and offers some luxury in the bargain. One is probably North of $30,000.00. If you like the car, it’s a decent buy restored.
And localsheriff is right: This is a Hobby, not an equities market.
Many professional body shops in my area will do a fantastic body (assuming just minor door dings and no rust or accident damage) and paint job on this car for 5-6K in the original single stage factory color. Padded vinyl top may add another 800-1,000 dollars at most. Interior plastics are another story, as they are not reproduced. They are best sourced from northern states, the more humidity and trees the better. I think if a guy could get this car in the 4,500-5K range it would be viable to restore to a nice driver/car show vehicle that is not seen all that often nowadays. Keep the chassis original, as that is where lots of people go crazy. Removing and stripping the frame and suspension parts, then restoring them to museum quality is what makes the costs explode into the stratosphere.
Lower value cars are always at a conundrum in that it’s generally not worth it to restore them. Mainly because you would exceed the value of a number one car really fast.
Personally if I was going to buy this, I would do a cheapie resto of a paint job and donor interior and just enjoy it.
Superdessucke, you took the words right out of my mouth.swap over seats, dash pad & door panels from a northern parts car, throw in new carpet, maybe a headliner & vinyl top from an upholstery shop, paint it, purchase repro stripes from a decent source such as Phoenix Graphics, and drive it with a grin. It might not be perfect, but people will enjoy seeing it almost as much as a person would enjoy driving it. Great foundation for a fun car! And it even runs! Bonus!
Sorry about all of the exclamation points, but the thought kinda excites me. Too bad I have so many financial commitments lol.