Car: Oldsmobile/Hurst Olds 4-4-2
Year: 1969
What makes it special: Following the success of Hurst components in Oldsmobile‘s 442 models, Oldsmobile, in collaboration with Hurst Performance of Warminster, Pennsylvania, produced special-edition performance versions of the 442 or Cutlass Supreme, the Hurst/Olds. The first Hurst/Olds was the 1968 Hurst/Olds.
What made it famous: The Hurst/Olds returned for the 1969 model year. The biggest change was the switch to a new Firefrost gold on white paint scheme. This would be the primary paint scheme for many Hurst/Olds models of later years. Instead of the dual ram air scoops under the front bumper that was used in ’68 and other ram air ’69’s, the H/O received a functional “mailbox” fiberglass hood scoop with H/O 455 on each side. A spoiler was mounted on the trunk and the car sat on unique 15×7 chrome SSII rims with Goodyear F60x15 Polyglas tires. The exterior was finished off with a pair of English racing mirrors, H/O emblems on the front fenders and deck lid, blacked out 442 grilles, and black hand-applied pinstripes. Interior modifications included a different wood veneer on the mini-console, painted gold stripes on the headrests, and a Hurst/Olds emblem on the glove-box door. The non-drive train modifications were done at Demmer Engineering. The 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 W46 was rated at 380 horsepower and 500 lb/ft of torque. This is the same engine as A/C equipped 68 Hurst Olds’ and provided better drivability. The same engine was used for both A/C and non-A/C cars. The engine received a unique intake manifold, chrome steel valve covers, and a special vacuum operated air cleaner lid to allow cold air from the hood scoop into the carburetor. This was backed up by a specially calibrated code OH Turbo 400 transmission and 3.42 gears for non-A/C cars or 3.08 gears for cars with A/C. Optional 3.91 gears were available only for non-A/C cars.
Why I would want one: If you wanted the ultimate Olds 4-4-2 for the 1960’s, the H/O 455 was the way to go.
Fun fact: All of the ’68 and ’69 H/Os were pinstriped by one person. Approximately 913 cars were built including 2 convertibles for Hurst promotional use, one for East coast events and one for West coast events. (A third was built after one of the original two was destroyed.)