QuestionRay:
I bought a Black 75 Hurst/Olds just before Christmas. I bought a one-way ticket to Chicago and drove it back to Columbus, Ohio. I love it.
I am pretty sure that I bought the real deal but I have some questions about the interior now. I didn't buy the car as a collector's item but I would like to know for sure.
The VIN checks out great. The series of characters are: 3j57t5m301413. The body cowl is 3aj57lan425650. Should they match? I haven't located the engine plate yet. It has the Hurst t-tops, sport mirrors with gold trim, ssIII rims, louvered hood, and dual gate shifter. There is some gold on the front part of the grill and on the mirrors. It has the H/O emblems inside but the stripes and decals are long gone. The paint is gorgeous though and I may have the decal set replaced. The interior is white and the dash is black. The interior looks liked it was dyed though, and the doors have and "S" around the handles. The passenger side door is definetly not original. I guess that's the part that makes me think someone might have worked long and hard to make a Cutlass S look like a H/O but I doubt it. The car looks great and runs like a tank. It delivered me home before Chirstmas!
I would like to find some parts for it too. I would like to get a hold of the original tach (the bolt holes are in the console, the hood script ornament, and any other options that came with the Hurst such as the locking wheel nuts,. mud flaps, etc.
I want to replace the exhaust, shocks, springs, and brakes in the future.
Any thoughts, tips, advice, help in gettting parts and/or counseling will be most appreciated!
Thank you,
Shannon
AnswerHi Shannon,
Congratulations on your H/O. Yes, it is the real thing. Now to answer your questions. It was not uncommon for many of the 1975's to have interior other than black or white. A good number of H/O's came with tan or green believe it or not! All H/O's were built on the Cutlass S platform and not the Cutlass Supreme. The Supreme has more of a squared off roof. Consider your car quite rare. Your VIN indicates it being a 455 optioned H/O. Less than half of the total production of 2,535 cars came with the 455 and black in color. The reason being, the gas crunch of the mid 70's didn't entice many for the hungry 455 big block. Plus, many associate an H/O being white and gold, though the black color option was first made available in 1973. Now for the difficult part........ Finding Hurst/Olds parts for your car is not going to be easy, as very,very little is out there. Most of which you will find will be used. Hurst for the most part only manufactured what they needed for the conversion with little overflow. Hurst as we know it is no longer in business. Not many manufacture replacements. When you do find them, they are extremely expensive. That is why, buying a H/O as complete as possible is so important. The items you are looking for will surely set you back about $1,500-2000.
First, the H/O tach is quite rare, finding one that works is another story. They had problems with the L.E.D.'s going out even when they were new. If you find one expect to pay $500 minimum.
H/O emblems are availiable in limited supply. NOS pieces commanding $75 a pop. The Hood script ornament is very rare, a $600 piece. You may locate a "Hurst" aftermarket piece that was used on the H/O. I see them on ebay once in a while. The "Hurst" emblem resembles the Olds script, but features the Hurst logo. I paid about $200 for mine, and like it a lot better than the script style. The NOS Hurst mud flaps appear on ebay as well, so keep a watch. The alarm system will be next to impossible to find unless you find a junker with it. If any consolation, I can put you in touch with where to get the 1975 decal set, it cost about $400 and made of high quality 3m material. It's easy to see owning an H/O isn't for everyone. Then again only a few know how collectable they are. Yours is certainly one of them. I invite you to join The Hurst/Olds List. A email community made up of all year H/O's. Many members own 1975's, and may be able to help you not only with parts, but support. Membership is free. You'll find us at: hurstolds@yahoogroups.com
Hope to see you there!
Ray Hudson
1973 H/O (B)
Hurst/Olds Club Of America #1245A
The Hurst/Olds List@yahoo Groups/co-moderator
SuperRare70's@yahoo Groups/moderator
