If you are going to invest the time and money into creating a tribute car, you are wise to start with a perfectly solid and rust free car. This car was built at the Fremont, CA plant, sold new in Walnut Creek, CA and lived in CA until 2012. It was an unfinished project by that time and discovered by the man who ultimately finished it into what you see today. He had always longed for a Hurst Olds, but couldn’t justify the cost of a real one. In the end, he spent most of the cost of a real car to build this one. At least he had a fresh car when he was done and one that he could enjoy.
This is not a 442. It is a Cutlass Supreme that was of low mileage and in great condition. The engine had problems, so a 455 was sourced and rebuilt. And that was the beginning. Over time, a correct OH tagged Turbo 400 automatic was sourced and rebuilt. The 8.5 Oldsmobile 12 bolt rear end has been rebuilt and includes Anti-Spin differential and 3.23 gears. The suspension has been updated and includes boxed control arms. This car not only looks good, but it performs great.
You can monitor the performance of the engine via an aftermarket in-dash tachometer and some auxiliary gauges that are mounted beneath the dash. They all look good and this engine performs very well.
The Rochester four barrel was rebuilt and an MSD ignition system was installed. Headers were fitted and a Pypes three inch exhaust system with H pipe was installed. The tips are trumpet exiting through a 442 rear bumper. The engine is painted the correct shade of red and fitted with chrome valve covers.
This car not only has power brakes, but there are disc brakes at all four corners. It has power steering. The factory installed air conditioning system has been converted to 134a Freon. Factory A/C cars had Soft Ray tinted glass.
The key to the Hurst Olds package was the engine. This was the only way you could get the big 455 in a mid-sized car during 1969. It also required the OH transmission. There were some gearing choices and 3.23 is one of them.
Visual traits were signature to Hurst Olds conversions. Many of them are very unique. This car has all that were installed by Demmer Engineering. The most dramatic are the Mailbox hood scoops. The dual outside mirrors are unique. This car also has the rear spoiler, stripes, emblems and decals. The short center console with woodgrain applique containing the Hurst Dual Gate shifter is important to the appearance of the interior, as are the gold striped headrests and Hurst emblem on the glove box door.
The most obvious visual cue is the Cameo White paint with Hurst Firefrost Gold stripes that were outlined in black pinstripes. This is a very dramatic appearing paint scheme that tells onlookers from afar what you are driving. This paint job is spot-on and done well. It was all done on a perfectly solid California body that was disassembled for refinishing. Other visual signs of a Hurst Olds are the blacked out grill and hood pins
Part of the Hurst Olds package was the wheels. In this case, they utilized a special version of the Super Stock II wheel. It has a chromed rim and was 15 inches in diameter. Originally, the cars came with Goodyear Polyglas bias ply tires in size F70-15. This car has BF Goodrich Radial TAs with 235/60/15 on the front and 255/60/15 on the rear.
The black bucket seat interior looks great. It was restored using components from Legendary. The driver’s seat is power. There are Oldsmobile rubber floor mats throughout the interior and in the trunk.
The trunk contains a proper jack set, lug wrench and spare wheel. The trunk floor is perfectly solid and was spatter painted during the restoration. It is covered by the factory style mats as well as a rubber Oldsmobile mat.
All features on this car work properly. The Air Conditioning is due for some 134a Freon. There are two sets of keys that actuate all locks. There are manuals in the glovebox, including the original warranty booklet.
This car has been displayed and shown on the East Coast, where it was restored. It has succeeded in National competition and received a second place in the Hurst class, only losing to a true Hurst/Olds.
Even though the man who created this tribute drove it quite a bit over the past four years, it still looks and performs great. There are very few minute flaws. You will be proud to drive it and show it off.
