W-30 Twin Turbos! 1975 Hurst/Olds
Between 1968 and 1984, Oldsmobile partnered with Hurst Performance for some special editions of either the 442 or Cutlass Supreme. Known as the Hurst/Olds, these cars received some special treatment, such as Hurst shifters and Hurst/Hatch sunroofs. Production numbers were deliberately kept rather low. This 1975 edition has been sitting for more than 20 years and looks pretty rough. But it has the W-30 package which came with a 455 cubic inch V8. And twin turbos, though we don’t know where they came from. Located in Reno, Nevada, this project is available here on craigslist for $10,000 OBO. Thanks to Barn Finder T.J. for digging this one up for us!
The 1975 model year would be the seventh time a Hurst/Olds would be marketed (they were not an annual thing). Unlike the other Colonnade body style offerings of 1973 and 1974, this Hurst/Olds would be based on the formal Cutlass Supreme rather than the Cutlass S. 2,535 copies were produced, and you could get it with either an L34 350 or L74 455 V8. Before you get too excited, this was the era of detuning for emissions and catalytic converters were new, so the 455 (W-30 on the options list) only produced 190 hp with a single exhaust. And, only an automatic transmission was offered. So, this was a slower car than a few years earlier.
These autos only came in two colors, white or black, and we understand that production was split about even. New for ’75 was the Hurst/Hatch removable T-Tops that this car has. It also has a black interior that the seller says is rare (most came with white or red). We’re told it’s spent the last 20 years stored inside, though the condition of the paint suggests it lived outside before that. The body will need some attention as there is rust present where the vinyl roof once lived, along with a dent in one of the fenders. The interior may be okay, but quite dirty from some fuzzy inhabitants over the years.
The seller doesn’t spend any time elaborating on the twin-turbocharger setup in the photos. That was not part of the Hurst package (that we know of), nor do we know when it was added and what benefits were derived in performance. We’re told the auto was running when it was parked, but since two decades have passed, it will probably need a complete revamp of the fuel delivery system. And what about parts for the twin turbos? On the downside, the title has issues that the seller is willing to sort out with the DMV (or you can). The seller wants it gone and is throwing in a spare 455 engine along with some new parts in the box.
Comments
This would look sooo much better washed and waxed.
Love the mop handle holding up the hood. 😂
The springs have been removed from the hinges and there appears to be new bolts holding the hinges in. A common issue with these B-bodies was the hinge pins rusting and locking, usually when the hood was up. Then when you tried to close it, it will twist and bend the hinge inward. You then had to remove the spring and replace the hinge. If you were lucky, it didn’t bend the hood corners.
It’s an A body.
1. A diamond in the rough. Definitely frame off restoration including frame
Power Plant overhaul and rebuild with factory GM Original Oldsmobile
parts, uh let’s keep everything original shall we.
2. Are the seats swivel?
3. Yes by all means the the owner can include and throw in the other Big
Block 455 as well with no extra charge if I read the description right?.
Big diamond in the rough! Seems all there. Would rework the 455 the owner will throw in the deal. Put it back original and keep it stock.
For 10g would have a mechanic inspwct the undercarriage for rust & rot. If minimum would be a good buy & investment once restored.
Yes, it would be nice restored, but with the car’s current condition, is a terrible “investment” if doing a complete resto. These cars routinely sell in the mid to high 20s in very good condition. If restoring completely, unless doing all of the work yourself, you’d be upside down very quick. Even doing the work yourself, you’re looking at a break even proposition most likely, and that won’t account for the hundreds of hours of time you’ve in it. H/Os are nice cars for sure, but these mid 70’s colonnade versions don’t bring the money the 68/9 or to a lesser extent the 72 do.
Dial 📞 1-800-the-hook 🪝🛻 Har.
The twin turbos are a warning sign of severe abuse IMO. I’d also be wary of more rust in scary places. I would take the seller up on their OBO, but this is a super cool car that deserves to be restored at least to nice driver level, shown off, and enjoyed! Oh, and there is this little thing about title issues. um….
It would look better washed and waxed?how do you polish rust?inoi
TITLE ISSUE!
Why do all the stupid SOB sellers fix the title issue BEFORE they sell?
Because it’s a big, bad and expensive problem.
Title issue means HALF PRICE!
I agree with bull. Here in Pennsylvania I would be unable to get a title if there is an issue. I want a black 75 HO real bad, but will keep looking. Nice write up Russ. Yes most came with white and black swivels. I have seen camel and red as well, but never all black. Just 2,535 75s built. It is beyond me people trash a great looking car like this. Too far gone to restore for several reasons, chief among them that the aftermarket has totally ignored 73 to 77 cars and always will.
I’m still intrigued with the twin turbo setup. That seems like a modern addition and…how do you even tune for that with an old carburetor? I’d liked to have seen this rig when it ran with the two turbos. A twin turbo 455 sounds like a daggum hoot.
Turbo technology was not what it is today by no means,but if it’s factory never seen or heard of one, probably wasn’t the most dependable car on the road..
I think a better idea would be to start with a cleaner example and swap in a LS iron block 6.0 with twin turbskies.
A parts car at best. Most of the interiors were black or white. Not rare.
Once restored it may never recoup the expense. A tired hulk. The turbos make up for what the 455 once was.
What is the key lock under the W-30 for?
Mice got into it? The smell is hard to get rid of, and if they chewed wiring, that would be a nightmare to repair. If it turns out to be a solid car, it’s worth restoring, but that price is very steep for a car that needs everything. As mentioned above, these years just aren’t that valuable.
I’d say the owner isn’t terribly anxious to have it gone, with an asking price of $10k…
I always liked this body style but then I was born in the early 60’s so this was a good used car when I was in the market to buy. I had a 73 Malibu that although wasn’t a rocket ship, definitely was fun to drive and was only a stock 350 4 barrel. I would have to redo this one to look stock but have extra power under the hood. I like the looks of the twin turbo so upgrade with new tech and leave the look. Use the extra motor to build and build the original stock. If it is in fact the original motor. If not then don’t even worry about it. Why not have some fun with it. You’ll never get out what you’re invested so what the hell. To bad he doesn’t have the title and Utah requires it for all vehicles. Gonna have to keep an eye on whether he gets it in January.
Typical Aftermarket non intercooled Turbo set up of the 70s, most of these setups were put on motor homes but definitely a nice touch on this car…..
This one isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s going require a whole lot of time and money to restore this car.
Just a heads up, Hurst did indeed involve themselves in 2 different versions of this car. The ones with the 455 were labeled W30 cars. They were W31’s with the 350 in them. Otherwise they were fairly similar in appearance.
I thought these were neat cars and I do recall them on the showroom floor when they were brand new. The local Oldsmobile Dealer had both versions, the W30 and the W31.
Money Pit…..What a Pile….hard pass at any price
I have 2 sets of T-TOP rebuild kits from Hurst Hatch new in the box, They have all the rubbers and frames and one set has a new set of T- Tops, Very rare, They are for sale but dont know what they are worth,
Speaking from dealing personally with a 1975 H/O w-30 that has been sitting in my barn for decades, the simple fact that the vinyl 1/2 top is missing and the rust has eaten thru means the trunk is a disaster as well. Additionally, the T-Tops even in maintained Cutlass’s leaked so i would be very concerned with the floor below the carpet or rear seat. Running when parked with all that effort to install twin-t’s, the Nevada sun cooked more than just the paint on this black beauty. She is a well optioned example of a w-30. Power windows, locks, clock, rock guards, sport steering wheel, alarm(set by inserting key in fender below W-30 decal), and all black interior, which i have never seen in my 40+years of H/O addiction. Missing is the digital tach on the console, 2 factory front wheels, & the oval Oldsmobile hood ornament. If mice have moved in, new wiring harness? Still, in spite of the MANY winters sitting in the snow followed by hot, hot sun before she was moved inside, there is something worth investigating. Everyone above is correct IMO, it is not a car for profit. Also, I’ve only seen W-30 455ci & W-25 350ci in years ’73-’75.?.
1975 was the height of emmisions restrictions, there is no way twin turbo’s were even considered as a factory thought, and while that motor had lower compression the parts were not designed for boost. I’m thinking this might be the reason it was parked.