Dual Gate Equipped: 1979 Hurst Oldsmobile Cutlass
If you were shopping for a hot intermediate-size car in 1979, you might very well have stumbled upon a Hurst Oldsmobile. This example, for sale here on eBay in Montrose, Michigan, has certainly seen better days since 1979, but with enough love and attention and money, perhaps it’s restorable.
In 1968, in an effort to get-around GM’s corporate policy that intermediate-size cars could not have engines larger than 400ci, Oldsmobile partnered with Hurst to produce the Hurst Olds. By implying that the cars were at least partially built by Hurst, Oldsmobile was able to offer the intermediate-size Cutlass with a 390 horsepower 455ci engine. Oldsmobile continued selling Hurst Olds models on and off until 1984. The 1979 model year cars, like this one, bear the dubious distinction of being the first Hurst Olds models to be equipped with an engine smaller than 455ci. Although the 350ci V8 was over 100 cubic inches smaller than the engines that preceded it, it was still the largest engine available in a mid-size GM car in 1979.
Although GM sold over a half-million Cutlass’s in 1979, only 2499 were equipped with the W30 Hurst Olds option, which included the 350 V8 engine, Hurst dual gate shifter and special paint scheme and wheels. This particular example appears to have lived a rough life during its 39 years – the interior is dirty and torn, the front end was involved in a collision and there is significant rust on the rear quarter panels. Reproduction parts are hard to come by for this body style, but with a few non-W30 parts cars and lots of labor, this car could probably be restored. The seller doesn’t go into much detail about the car’s condition, but based on the pictures, it’s safe to assume that nearly everything will require rebuilding.
The question, though, is if this car is special enough to warrant the attention it would need to make it factory-fresh again. Restoring this car would be no less expensive than restoring an older classic, so is this one worth the time, effort and expense? While this car may have been special relative to other similar cars on the market in 1979, is it still desirable by today’s standards?
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Comments
Take it out of the oven I think it’s “done” what this steering wheel needs is a new car. I wouldn’t put a dime into a piece of $h!t like this. Its time to turn it into garden shovels, or little kids wagons.
This is a car to start the auction at $100.00 no reserve. It needs everything and more.
Look at the rear frame closely as they are VERY rust-prone, which makes the rear bumper do the Watusi, Shimmy, Hippy Hippy Shaaaake!
I’m sure the frame is twisted . Look at the way the rear of the car sits ..
Parts car at best….
This is junk. I do miss the Oldsmobile brand though. My first car was a 67 Cutlass and I’ve owned several after.
Dual gate? Is that referring to the shifter or the two cattle gates that it ran into?
Not much to salvage here. Left front was hit and and judging by the position of the front tire, most likely bent the frame. Every body panel is either rusted or creased, and the interior is trash. Maybe the rims are worth something to somebody.
Insert crotchety old man Will Darnell, Ya know Pepper, ya can’t polish a turd. Blows me away that he started at 1k. A running driving minty one is only worth 3k on a good day. It’s too bad these were such dogs performance wise as well as the quality. It’s like GM saw that 1980 recession on the horizon and this is the Hail Mary that got through.
Christine. Love that scene.
I have used the qoute followed by thanks for your time with some of cars I was led to believe were in good shape. It’s the flabbergasted look you get after because they want top dollar for memories…
Maybe nobody’s going to spend cash to restore this to put it in the Barrett-Jackson Circus Tent, but maybe somebody wants one of these and is willing to put in the time and/or money. Love the disdain for anything that’s not a turnkey early 70’s big-block.
The good news is that the automotive era has passed where we would have looked at this (new) and considered it.
Im lovin the spliced upper radiator hose. That in itself shows what type of ownership this poor ride has seen. In another 20 years, had this popped up, this car may generate some interest. Its currently not old enough nor rare enough to save. RIP.
these things look like they got hit with an ugly stick even new, lackluster performance wouldn’t take it even if they were giving it away
Hmmm. Slow? Check. Ugly? Check. Poorly made? Check. Beaten into a pile of twisted junk? Got that covered. Did I mention poorly maintained and no future upside on value? My mistake. This is the kind of car you give to the brother in law you hate, just so you can enjoy watching him waste his money, and give your sister some stick for marrying poorly.
I need some help. Why is under the hood rusted like it was just pulled out of the Atlantic Ocean?
THis one looks too far gone to me. Parts car. I still kick myself for passing on a black version of this car about 20 years ago. Back in the “pre craigslist days”, it was in the local trader newspaper. I went to look at it thinking it might have an 8.5″ rear axle for my 79 Malibu. (They don’t). Funny thing is, it was in way better shape than this one, but not running. They were only asking $500 and if it had had the 8.5″ rear, I would have bought it. I wonder if they had different interiors available. I remember it having a gold interior, 60/40 with the “pillow” seats, but my memory might be failing… LOL
The short answer to your question is : NO!!! I do love Oldsmobiles (I have three), but this one is beyond help. I am not sure you could get anything for it oif you junked it.
Hey!
I figured out the problem with your car.
Your radiator cap is attached to a POS!
All the derision is justified but if you could find a nice donor/receiver car you’d have something a little interesting. It is of an era where cheap plain jane’s can still be found.
To bad it’s in this shape! They were actually very attractive cars in their days! The post is gone and shows no bids!
That thing is ready to be a brand new Toyota
Another Michigan rust bucket. Why do people keep something like this kicking around? It should have been put out of it’s misery a long time ago.
I was viewing another forum yesterday when a member posted his newest project which is a rough 1993 Explorer he wants to make into a “Track Truck”. He paid $250 for the truck many years ago and says he has paid $6500 over 5+ years STORING that $250 truck in paid indoor storage and NOW has decided he wants to build the truck.
Makes you wonder why do people keep rough, rusty and worthless vehicles around for years and then decide to either build or sell the vehicle when they could very easily go find a similar and much better vehicle without all the hassles of owning, moving and storing that POS for so many years.
You can’t fix stupid!