In the world of brand partnerships and marketing schemes, cozying up to a name like “Hurst” when shilling your muscle car is typically a recipe for creating respect and desire out of thin air. Hurst is a company associated with muscle car brawn and high-stakes durability, able to power drag cars and other machines that are pushed to the limits over and over again. Like almost every kind of partnership, however, there are peaks and valleys, and this 1979 Hurst/Olds Cutlass Supreme W-30 is an in-betweener, with some desirable upgrades and other stark reminders of the malaise era. Find the Olds here on eBay with one bid to $7,500 and no reserve.
The W-30 package Cutlass Supreme features a variety of mostly cosmetic upgrades, but there were some other highlights related to unique drivetrain offerings. First of all, you have that sweet black and gold paint/decal scheme with coordinating gold alloy wheels. The T-top roof pane breaks up the roof a bit more, which is further enhanced by a streak of gold going between the removable panels and the back glass. It certainly looked racy, especially with those discreet W-30 badges on the fenders. Still, the big question was what lay under the hood of a car with such attitude spilling from its exterior panels – surely, it must be impressive.
Well, I hate to disappoint you, but an elite muscle car, this was not. That being said, it was still a respectable package overall, as checking the W-30 box not only got you the L34 350CI V8, but also a Hurst Dual/Gate shifter. Now, unlike other Hurst special editions, this car was assembled entirely by Oldsmobile, but it was at least a real-deal gearbox upgrade that had to make the driving experience more engaging. The seller’s car is a project but one that looks quite well preserved inside; you can spy a bedsheet that was seemingly used to protect the cloth upholstery, as it looks quite minty on both the front and rear seats. However, closer inspection of the eBay gallery reveals what looks like mice detritus in the corner of the passenger side footwell.
The backseat looks practically unused, and the seller reports that the Olds has been sitting for some time. However, even with that strike against it, it will still fire up with ease and drive without issue, but you won’t be going very far due to a bad brake booster. The undercarriage is said to be rust-free, and given it’s a Lousiana car, I doubt you’re going to find much else in the way of corrosion. This Hurst/Olds is certainly a respectable muscle car from an era not known for many greatest hits in the car world, and with this rare slice of Hurst history offered at no reserve, there’s a good chance this one could be a bargain in the making.
We’ve seen this twice before – I think…
“Third time’s the charm….” :-)
I was thinking the same thing. Deja Vu all over again.
Nice looking cars. Great lines. 350ci and dual gate shifter, made this a sweet ride for 1980. Oldsmobiles were cool.
I had two of them good cars wish I still had mine good times wish I still had mine
I have a 79 h/o grill
How much arev they worth ?
An almost flat tire?
Really?
Way to make the effort.
I think they stated in one of the earlier postings…it was flat for an extra anti-theft measure lol. Fair enough i guess ? 🤷
lol!
Don’t ask me why……but whenever I see a W30 Cutlass….i think of WD-40.
Always seemed to be a can or two of it around….the garage….back in the day.
My family had one of these black ones in the early 90s. Loved it. Would definitely have another if I had the money or space lol.
That cutlass body will be worth stupid $$$$ in near future especially a hurst
These cars are the ultimate classic the G body has clean lines the interior is comfortable and the ride is great.with a true gear head best on street and trac
I worked on one of these in the 80’s the customer at stiffened the suspension and added a nitrous system to. Fun car. Worthe getting back on the road.
Bought a 79 Hurst Olds new in 79 when I went to the local dealer to look at the new Omega. Of note was the 79 Hurst Olds was the Only G body to get a 350 cu in engine, and an Olds one to boot. Ran pretty good stock but the 2.73 rear slowed it down off the line. Later added a 3.42 8.5” posi out of 84 H/O and I built a 403 with ported heads and W30 cam. 12.73 was best quarter mile time. Good sleeper car and good looking to boot.
Actually.. this is considered an “A” body. The “G” body was not a GM designation until 1982. I have a 1979 El Camino that I bought new that has a 350-4v – 4spd so the 350 was available in other Gm cars in this line. I also bought a 1987 El Camino.. last year.. with a 305-4v auto that has served as my daily driver. it now has 750k miles on the original untouched engine. The 79 Elco has 200k mile and I have never changed a clutch.. only regular maintenance. Never took either on down the track but my 1978 king Cobra runs 12.9 @ 109.. just a little warmed over 302.
I love the looks of this generation of Oldsmobile Cutlass. I prefer the later ones that had the cutmrved grill, I believe 1981 is when that change was made. Make a nice sleeper 😁
First of all, the 79 H/O W-30 was built on the Cutlass Calais body, not the Cutlass Supreme.
It could just be the lighting in the pictures, but the gold paint on this car has quite a brown look to it. Does not look close to the proper factory Gold paint.
Looking at the paint peeling on the back of the trunk lid does show the black paint underneath, which is factory correct. The Gold paint was sprayed right on top of either the white or black paint.
I could be wrong but the interior seats are the Camel Tan Velour. The cloth portion of the seats looks to be the wrong cloth design compared to what the factory used. My original unrestored survivor 79 H/O W-30 has the more rare camel tan vinyl interior. I have never seen the camel tan velour interior in person other then just in pictures, so I could be wrong.