Gold stripes on many Hurst Oldsmobiles produced (off and on) from 1968 to 1988 seem appropriate because the word “Hurst” is a veritable Midas Touch, turning said cars into gold when compared with their similarly-equipped non-Hurst stablemates. This 1974 Hurst Oldsmobile W30 in Fort Wayne, Indiana retains many of its Hurst-specific pieces but needs a mountain of work before you can twist the key and get in the wind. Only 380 of the 1800 received this car’s W30 package and the corresponding 455 cid V8 engine, making this one (assuming it checks out) rarer than most. The listing here on eBay seeks the first bidder willing to click “Buy It Now” and part with $4,495.
In 1974 you could get your Hurst Oldsmobile in either Cameo White or Ebony Black with the same monochromatic choice of interior color as well. The original owner (or dealer) checked the option box for the fender-key-enabled $49.95 Auto Alarm System (some details courtesy of 442.com and jeffmeister.com. Because the Hurst Olds served as the Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500 that year, owners could choose optional Indy 500 graphics, which this one does not wear. Metal fabrication around the rear window could keep you busy this winter if you dig that sort of thing.
The dual-gate shifter alone is worth major “cool points,” letting the driver engage a separate gate when things got serious and bang each upshift of the TH400 automatic transmission with authority. While the seller claims this car’s frame is solid, it will need rust repair (at least) in the floorboards and body panels. Like all 1974 models, this Cutlass has the ever-so-popular 74-only Seat-Belt Interlock System.
I’m sure our eagle-eyed readers noticed in the first picture that this ’70s muscle-car comes up a little light on its loafers. Luckily the original motor and transmission come with the sale, though the engine is in pieces, perfect for a Christmas-morning reassembly sans instructions. Simply roll this beauty under the tree after your favorite Olds fan drifts off to sleep on Christmas Eve. Hemmings and others have been predicting that “now” is the time to snap up these Collonade coupes for a while. Certainly those anointed as special models and with 400+ cid engines will rise first as rarer cars from the golden age of muscle drift away from entry-level hobby buyers. It may be better to drop $11,000 on a cleaner 1974 Hurst Oldsmobile, but on the other hand… here’s one for $4500. I’ll go out on a limb and predict that $4500 for this car will seem well-bought in ten years. What do you think?
I’d still opt for the restored car for 11K over this one and save myself a lot of grief.
1 of 380 for under 5K? I would say that even in its present state, it would be well bought. Dig the swivel seats! Not a fan of the stripes on the side however. These Collonade body’s are, or will, come into their own. A bonus the orginial motor and trans comes with the car. Someone is going to snap this car up!
I have a friend that does automobile upholstery. He says these seats are the most expensive seat there is to restore. Even with that being a problem, I’d like to take this one on. I really like this body style.
Overweight and underpowered.
You reaĺly can’t compare these “Trim package” cars to the earlier 4-4-2.
Yikes, I just don’t see any value whatsoever so ever in this Oldsmobile.
I’m thinking we’re about to enter into an irrational exuberance stage soon and maybe right now regarding values.. Especially mid 70s muscle cars..
This is not a 1974 , 1974 had the turnsignal light next to the head light
The VIN says 1974
3G37U4M285***
As for the car, it is not a really desirable model, and it has been beat.
Some assembly required doesn’t really describe this one.
All assembly required, maybe.
You do, however, get some rusted engine parts in the trunk.
It looks like the Hurst cars had a different nose and bumper for 1974.
’73 with the lighter bumpers would be more desirable, finding nice interior pieces will take time…the good interiors are in good cars and don’t come up often.
I am a huge 442 fan, but the rust would scare me away from this one.
My 68 Cutlass frame broke because of rust. No more project cars for me. Much better bargain to let someone who enjoys restoring and buy the completed project from them.
Hello ,the Hurst old’s now lives in the north east ,new Hampshire. Bought for 2500.00 and is now restoring it back to factory. Ok thanks.
You’re thinking of the Cutlass Supreme. The Hurst/Olds package was built on the sportier Cutlass S. Basically, all collonade-era Cutlass’ wore two distinct faces, depending on model.