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Looking at these pics can anyone tell me the following info with some degree of certainy?
1. Do the mufflers and exhaust look like original parts?
2. Were the 68 HO cars painted silver on the bottom side like this?
3. looking at the brake pedal and emergency pedal can you approximate the mileage of the car? To me its definitely over 50,000 but cannot be sure..
Any help be appreciated.
Andy
You should have taken a picture of the part number & manufacturer located on at least one of the mufflers as identified in the below image - would save time addressing your muffler originality question. Brake pedal wear would be highly dependent on type of person(s) = heavy foot, etc. Those look like aftermarket muffler/exhaust clamps but can't say for sure.
You should have taken a picture of the part number & manufacturer located on at least one of the mufflers as identified in the below image - would save time addressing your muffler originality question. Brake pedal wear would be highly dependent on type of person(s) = heavy foot, etc. Those look like aftermarket muffler/exhaust clamps but can't say for sure.
unfortunately, I’m using pictures that were sent to me as I haven’t seen the car in person. I thought the crimps in the exhaust may tell a tail as well as the style of mufflers with that stamp on the bottom..Do you know if the bottom of the floor pans were painted that silver or was that done after the fact?
Last edited by Andy; August 2nd, 2023 at 02:00 PM.
unfortunately, I’m going to have pictures that were sent to me as I haven’t seen the car in person. Do you know if the bottom of the floor pans were painted that silver or was that done after the fact?
Gotcha...makes sense. The bottom of the floor pans don't look like original OEM floor pans to me (anyways). You'll have to wait for additional feedback from others.
Pedal pads are really not a reliable indicator of mileage. I've seen cars with over 100K on them with less wear on their pedals. As Koda points out, it really depends on who's doing the braking.
You should have taken a picture of the part number & manufacturer located on at least one of the mufflers as identified in the below image - would save time addressing your muffler originality question. Brake pedal wear would be highly dependent on type of person(s) = heavy foot, etc. Those look like aftermarket muffler/exhaust clamps but can't say for sure.
My first reaction was that this said "MIDAS". And X3 or X4 on the floor pans not being original.
I think you're correct. I enlarged the image several times prior to posting my comments (above) & thought it said MIDAS, as well; but, I couldn't corroborate a part number - which, to address the OP's question would make this an aftermarket muffler.
The car is purported to be an original 13,000 mile car. We all know that’s bullshit. I could post pictures of the car and the stripes do not come down to the same level on each side of the bumper like a traditional HO..The car has been repainted the owner says. ( I actually talk to the owner, but he was very incoherent in many aspects as he’s not doing well at all ) The owner is dying of cancer, hence the auction, so you can’t get any serious information you’re basically bidding on a whim and a prayer. It does have a ZZ code on the trim tag I believe it to be a true HO car. But nobody will verify anything other than that because the guy is not doing well in the auctioneers don’t give a **** all they go by as what the person says. Koda as you know I have been searching out a solid investment grade HO.
Last edited by Andy; August 2nd, 2023 at 06:32 PM.
The car is purported to be an original 13,000 mile car. We all know that’s bullshit. I could post pictures of the car and the stripes do not come down to the same level on each side of the bumper like a traditional HO..The car has been repainted the owner says. ( I actually talk to the owner, but he was very incoherent in many aspects as he’s not doing well at all ) The owner is dying of cancer, hence the auction, so you can’t get any serious information you’re basically bidding on a whim and a prayer. It does have a ZZ code on the trim tag I believe it to be a true HO car. But nobody will verify anything other than that because the guy is not doing well in the auctioneers don’t give a **** all they go by as what the person says.
Better chance it's turned over once & it's 113K miles. Good luck deciding whatever it is you decide.
The H/OCA and Karl Sarpolis have the Demmer records to confirm the VIN. I have a copy of Karl's known cars list from a few years ago (220ish) and the VIN above is not on it, so nobody checked it with Karl yet. The VIN is in the date range for the H/O run, it's a late one.
If you're searching for investment grade, there are plenty of other obvious things to verify like the OW trans and the VIN stamp there. I've seen original paint floor pans, they do not have anywhere close to that much silver on them.
The H/OCA and Karl Sarpolis have the Demmer records to confirm the VIN. I have a copy of Karl's known cars list from a few years ago (220ish) and the VIN above is not on it, so nobody checked it with Karl yet. The VIN is in the date range for the H/O run, it's a late one.
If you're searching for investment grade, there are plenty of other obvious things to verify like the OW trans and the VIN stamp there. I've seen original paint floor pans, they do not have anywhere close to that much silver on them.
Thanks, so that vin is not registered with H/OCA..hmm. Data plate shows it to be a zz color code etc. I believe its definitely a true car, but not 13,000 miles, and who knows if all drive train matches.. I have tried to get that info and the auction response was we list as the owner states,owner isn’t in a healthy state and we cannot verify..Maybe I used the term investment grade incorrectly as I would be interested in a correct documented car , if components are missing at least I would know what it would cost to get it correct. I suspect this car could easily go into the 60’s or higher pretty easily as someone will go view it and find out the true verified info
There are more than a few red flags. This doesn't bode well:
Wheels painted body color instead of argent, and the silver pinstripe around the openings was not put back on. Note that the spare was not repainted and retains the correct color and pinstripes.
Looks like a scuff and shoot repaint. Too bad they couldn't be bothered to remove the trim before sanding the trunklid.
Incorrect replacement M/C, but at least the red inner fenders do not appear to be repros. And would it have killed the seller to plug the washer hoses back into place? Was the hood off recently?
Thankfully the valve covers are on correctly.
Went through all the trouble to use wire hose clamps, but not the correct t-stat housing. (the clamps on the O.A.I. hoses are incorrect)
JP thanks for the insight on the mc and other things. Yea, I had saw the paint flaws, if I knew the drivetrain was matching I could get intrigued if the bid wasn’t out of my desire to pay..Unfortunately thats not happening unless I flew in to check it out on the show date..that area of paint on the front windshield post, wonder what caused that? Top replaced?.
The auctioneer sent me this, allegedly a previous owner..Anybody know Tony and Karen Elo?
Last edited by Andy; August 3rd, 2023 at 12:32 PM.
Thanks for the post. Per the ~25 year old tires, we know the car's not a driver!
The current owner has had it for 23-24 years he told me. As I stated I did talk briefly with him, he isn’t to up on the car at all, didn’t know where to look for block id etc, texted him a few pics telling where to look. He never got back to me, auctioneer said they were going with whats stated by the owner. I may throw a bid on it last day if it hasn’t exceeded what I am willing to pay since it definitely is a gamble
I am pretty sure the mufflers are not original. I believe the factory mufflers were welded to the exhaust pipe and did not use a clamp. I know they were at one time.
I'll say this, the A/C cars have significantly better odds at having an original driveline in them. They were typically purchased by people not intending to race them, and the 3.08 gears were much easier on the engine.
I'll say this, the A/C cars have significantly better odds at having an original driveline in them. They were typically purchased by people not intending to race them, and the 3.08 gears were much easier on the engine.
True, the incorrect thermostat housing and no info on correct engine, carb, intake etc makes me wonder whats also been changed.. The owner did tell me it had a replacement fender and quarter panel before his ownership..I sent he and the auctioneer photos of where to look for engine trans and rear end stampings but no response. For me the high bid right now is right at what I would be comfortable paying with so many unknowns..chances are the last few hours it will jump quite a bit. I’m sure somebody that lives out in that area are going to see the car and they can verify but they’re certainly not gonna tell anybody else. So I don’t plan on flying out there from Florida just to verify numbers when they won’t help you on the auction sight or anything. Something is amiss..So I am out unless it stays right where it is, may go to 44k, thats it
Last edited by Andy; August 4th, 2023 at 09:50 AM.
JP thanks for the insight on the mc and other things. Yea, I had saw the paint flaws, if I knew the drivetrain was matching I could get intrigued if the bid wasn’t out of my desire to pay..Unfortunately thats not happening unless I flew in to check it out on the show date..that area of paint on the front windshield post, wonder what caused that? Top replaced?.
The auctioneer sent me this, allegedly a previous owner..Anybody know Tony and Karen Elo?
If I had to guess, I'd say that sloppy paint at the top of the pillar is just a result of poor prep/attention at the factory seam during the repaint. If prior body damage led to a fender and quarter repair I suppose it's possible the roof was damaged but likely not - at least in my opinion. Car looks to be in pretty decent shape, everything considered.
If I was interested in an auction car I wouldn't post any of my bidding plans online. You never know who's watching.
If the car was guaranteed legit, believe me I wouldn’t have put anything anywhere. However my gut and many things on this car lead me to be where I am at. If someone wants to pay more, good for them. The markets don’t suffer fools. I don’t do this hobby as a source of income but damn sure know where the ceiling is on these cars. And I am not the guy to pay full retail on anything
I'd say you're in the right ballpark. The A/C '68 engines have very few parts that are rare... C heads are common, the carb is just an 8251, the intake costs more to ship than it's worth, distributor isn't anything special.
That upper radiator hose actually looks like an assembly line hose, which is crazy, because the heater hoses aren't assembly line correct. It has the correct uber-rare oil pressure sending unit too.
Last edited by 83hurstguy; August 7th, 2023 at 08:26 AM.
Reason: Fixed error.
I'd say you're in the right ballpark. The non-A/C '68 engines have very few parts that are rare... C heads are common, the carb is just an 8251, the intake costs more to ship than it's worth, distributor isn't anything special.
That upper radiator hose actually looks like an assembly line hose, which is crazy, because the heater hoses aren't assembly line correct. It has the correct uber-rare oil pressure sending unit too.
Did you mean the AC engines have very few rare parts?
Also note paint loss wear on undercarriage in front.
I would have expected a lot of paint markings and original part stickers still intact with that few miles.
wear and tear around key would indicate it’s been started a lot in 13000 miles or has more use than reported.
teardrop window stripe seams to fall short compared to the 69 stripe, maybe 68 was that way…
make a really nice rare driver quality cruiser or with some work a show car.
I have seen a lot of factory "built to race" cars with very few miles on the odometer. Hurst cars. Early W cars. Hemi cars. 409 cars etc etc. 1/4 mile at time is big difference. I don't see a 68 Hurst Olds with Air Conditioning being one of those. I know it has been said here before but why in the hell would you buy a "performance" car back in the day with Air? I don't get get it. Completely goes against why you wanted horsepower. Plenty did but I don't get it. I know we are all getting older and love some cold air but when we were racing around streets. Everything heavy was gone. I get it you hot states. I would have wanted a non air car if I wanted a fast car.
Originality on this car? Pretty much just a VIN by now.
Last edited by no1oldsfan; August 9th, 2023 at 11:08 PM.
August 2nd, 2023 | 01:30 PM
