Oldsmobile and Hurst Performance collaborated to come up with the first Hurst/Olds in 1968 based on the 442. They would continue their association with limited production performance cars in 1969, 1972-75, 1979, and 1983-84. The latter models were distinguished by their Lightning Rod shifters that were either gimmicky or the greatest thing since sliced bread. This 1984 edition is from the last year of production and looks to have survived nicely with just 30,000 miles. Available in Somerset, New Jersey, and here on eBay, the seller is waiting for the first bid to be cast at $12,000). Thanks for the cool tip, T.J.!

Built on the Cutlass Supreme rear-wheel-drive platform, the 1983-84 Hurst/Olds saw 6,501 copies produced (3,001 in ’83 and 3,500 more in ’84, a record for the car). First-year copies had black over silver paint whereas the color scheme was reserved in the second year. It was hard to mistake a Hurst/Olds from a regular Cutlass due to its standout graphics and special wheels. For both model years, the cars used Hurst’s Lightning Rod shifters. That system was set up to work like any ordinary automatic gear selector with a conventional PRND shift pattern. But two additional levers were used: the one to the far right (and its release button) performed the 1-2 upshift, while the middle lever and button performed the 2-3 upshift. Or the driver could just leave the lever in D and drive normally.

Mechanically, the 1983-84 Hurst/Olds differed very little. Both used a slightly modified Oldsmobile 307 cubic inch V8 that had 3.73 gears. The ’84 edition had a stronger 8.5-inch rear end. The cars came with a power bulge hood (which served no performance purpose) and a rear spoiler. The chrome 15-inch wheels wore Goodyear Eagle GT tires when the cars left the assembly line. The ’83 edition celebrated the 15^th anniversary of the first Hurst/Olds and they seem to fetch a  few more dollars today than the ‘84s. Speaking of dollars, a fully loaded H/O sold for $19,500 new, which is about $50,000 in 2022.

We’re told that the seller’s car was parked in a garage for 25 years, which would explain its low mileage today. Perhaps a little coaxing was needed to get it going, but the seller says it runs and drives great now, although it’s going to need a new set of tires. The only things that don’t seem to work are the driver’s seat power seat mechanism and the electric radio antenna (pre-GPS). The body and paint look good with no rust, but there are a few scratches on the lower extremities of the Olds. I’ve always wondered how these cars drove with the funky Lightning Rod shifters – can any of our readers share any of their experiences?