Just reading some info on the history of the H/O and it says the first (and possibly second) '68 H/Os were thought to be 4-speed cars. Any knowledge or verification of this? Were they prototypes? Do they still exist?

 

There were prototype & engineering pre-production cars in varying color schemes including 4-speeds & convertibles.

I believe a 4-speed Sport Coupe still exists that (by the cowl tag) was originally a "willow gold metallic" 442.

A freshly restored convertible made its debut at last fall's "Musclecar Nationals" in Rosemont, Illinois.

The "official" 515 factory produced cars were Sport Coupes or Holiday Coupes & all were "Peruvian Silver Metallic" & automatics.

 

The 4 speed car is the Demmer car, some claim it to be car #1. I think it is a post coupe and when I saw it in '87 it had a tri-carb set up on it. I might have pics of it stashed away somewhere.

 

This is the thread on ROP started by Octania about Demmer's 4 speed car. It was (& still is) Demmer's son's car.

More interesting is the rest of the thread where they talk about the 68 H/O convertibles

http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic....ht=whats+wrong

 

Thanks for the link and additional info Mike!

 

Hi,
I wanted to let you guys know about the 1968 Hurst Olds 442 I bought when I was 19 back in 1978. The car was black with emblems. It had a 455ci engine, 4 speed transmission. Interior the seats where white and front seat was a bench seat, and if remembering correctly was split on top to fold down separate. I bought this car for $1000 back then. I owned it for 2 years. I truly wish I would have kept it. I had no idea how rare the car was. I bought it off of my best friend’s friend at the time. I remember the Hurst shifter fell apart as I drove it home. I was bummed, but what could I say for only paying $1000 for it. It was all original and in excellent condition otherwise. It did have headers, so that might have been the only thing changed. I had LOADS of fun racing around with that car in my youth. Oh well, distant memories now. I just wanted to sound off to let you all know that there was also a black 1968 H/O with a four speed. I know that the person that bought it took the engine out. “It was too fast for him”… what a dumb ***.
Take care,
John B

 

any pics of car

 

there are some pics that were in a post some where....

 

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...prototype.html
Found it

 

I wish I had a pic or two. That's why I tried to describe the car in detail. Last known by me the car was in El Paso, Texas. That was about 1980 when I sold it.