rocketman77

Alright my fellow Oldsmobile buddies, I made a new years resolution to learn some more facts about particular Oldsmobile cars you don't see much of any more or see published in journals, online, etc.

Well, this week's research project is the 1979 H/O W-30. I saw one for sale locally and actually gave it a second glance. I know more about the early 70's H/O and W-30 cars vs. the late 70's.

When did Olds stop making the W-30? What colors could you get in a 79 H/O W-30? Are these late 70's cars prone to problems to be aware of, and are these cars becoming more popular in the H/O crowd or have I been asleep too long and they are already popular? I have to confess I don't see too many of these late 70's around anymore except for my local junk yard.

Any advise on how to convince the wife the car that is for sale locally would make a good addition to the driveway?

1970cs

If I recall properly that the 1980 442 was the last time that they used the W-30 moniker. Colors were black and gold or white and gold. Some owners of these cars will have to chime in on common problems.

Values seem to be coming up. I have been watching the non performance cars and they range from $3-8000k.

As far as the wife goes, It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission!

Pat

69442C

There were 2499 Hurst Olds cars produced in 1979 so given the low production numbers and the survival rate they are not something you run across too often. There is a breakdown on the production numbers of white cars vs black and I think 1165 is the number of white cars produced. And I think 537 of all colors came with GM T-tops. Hurst also installed their brand of t-top and no info is available on the numbers of those tops. 3 cars (1 white. 2 black) received gold anodized Hurst Hatch T-tops out of a total of 4 sets that Hurst made. The owner of the white car with the gold tops has the extra set. The black cars that received the gold tops are not accounted for. The W30 didn't represent anything like it in the earlier years and basically it meant the car had a 350 Olds engine, which was not available in any other Cutlass body that year. Factory horsepower was rated at 170.

A couple of common issues is a tachometer that will either fail or will be very inaccurate. The main issue to look for is the rear frame rails behind the rear axle. If the rear bumper looks like it is sagging, chances are the rear rails are rotted. These 78-80 Cutlass cars were prone to rot in the rear rails so look them over carefully especially if the car has spent a lot of time in an area where salt is used on the roads in the winter months.

Brian

rocketman77

Thanks everyone! I went and looked at the car just to satisfy my curiosity. It was beyond a basket case. Totally rotted out at the rear rails and a nightmare. The 350 engine ran ok but that was about the only thing going for the car

MellowYellow

Sticky steering wheels & squeaks


You'll create new cuss words when you hit your head on the pointed corner of the open decklid.

79H/O

I am new to this site and my dad has a 1979 Hurst Olds. He is the original owner and the car has 38,000 miles. We are working on restoring it to factory. I really don't know of any problems but it's not my car. Did the car you looked at still have the factory clock in it. I have been looking for a clock everywhere but can't find one. If it does could you post the add?

rocketman77

I don't recall that car having its factory clock. Car is gone. Feel sorry for whoever got it as they have their work cutout for them.

chrismcgurk

a neater car would be a plain 78-80 cutlass with the 350,instead of the H/O

one sold on ebay not long ago for 4500ish

now that is a hard to find vehicle

jim3153

I have one it is white and gold one owner with 33000 miles on it like new inside and out.
I have pictures if interested call. (334)3121793

oldcutlass

Jim you'd get more traction if you listed your car in the for sale section with a price, pictures and a location.

oldsmobiledave

IMPOSSIBLE to find. Only the 1979 HO & the 1980 442 got the 350. No other Olds A/G body got a factory 350 from 1978-1980. If you saw one sell the car had a Non original engine in it.

lunaboy

I am not sure about that, I had a 1980 cutlass supreme in 2001 with a factory looking 5.7 eng . I can not remember the vin, but would not the vin in 80 verify the eng type.

oldsmobiledave

Wrong. Sorry. Only the HO & the 442 got the 350.

pizza442

Ha. The only non-H/O to get a 350 was a diesel! Or a Cutlass Cruiser wagon I think. Always love those stories about a factory 350 Cutlass..
Oh, as for common problems with 79 H/O's: my low mile 79 H/O had to have the timing chain replaced shortly after the thermostat stuck (ie. overheated). That and the rear sway bar actually snapped when going into a driveway putting the rear axle into one of those deals when one wheel is way up in the wheelwell and the other is way extended down. went bang. think the loud sound was the bar hitting the gas tank. Other than that, probably just normal 79 stuff for all Olds..
Oh and the wacky tach is common all the way up to '88. Just need to solder the pin in place.