Hey Atdog,

Great find! I am interested in that gold air cleaner. I just sent you a PM on it.

 

Go figure, but I found an auto trim shop in my small town that has been in business for 55 years and does custom work for some of the car and truck TV shows. ( www.bbautotrim.com )
I got a quote and it's very reasonable, so I'm going to have it done in the next two weeks.
I REALLY need some specifications for the vinyl top and trim work. I want to keep it as original as possible.
Was it really an 'elkgrain' pattern for the vinyl?
It was originally a black top with white targa, but was there a specific color? Like bright white etc.?
I found a small rectangle on the passenger side below the side window, near the paint job that looked like something was mounted there. But what? Was there a Hurst plate? It's not for an antenae because that is in the windshield. I'll look through all my trim and see if I can find something that matches...
The inside 'deck' that would go above the backseat under the back window-mine is gone, it probably rotted away and was thrown out-does anyone know what type of material that was made from and what type of pattern (if any) it had?
I'm pretty sure there aren't any seams in the top, or are there?
The padding is 1/4 thick. Or is that just a guess?
I've requested pictures from other owners. I've searched the internet and this site as well as others. I mailed my information and 25.00 check to the O/H registry on 4-12. The check still hasn't been cashed. I'll email them today, but I'm running out of sources.
Any specific help would be appreciated

 

Did you get any help @ the 73-77 olds forums?

 

You know something, I didn't by searching posts. But it wouldn't hurt to email a few people there...good idea...

 

Sorry, don't know the specific name of the pattern or the official color, I can take some close up pictures of mine if you want.
Not sure what the rectangle is from, perhaps from a prior repair as nothing I know of is mounted there, see picture.
There should not be any seams in the top, again, sorry, not sure of the thickness.
The 'inside deck' is usually known as the 'package tray', see www.thepartsplaceinc.com or paddockparts.com as they offer one for 73-77 cars, there is also an insulation pad that goes underneath it.

 

Jeff, Thanks for the link. I'll look it up. The guy at the auto trim place said he could fabricate one.
The picture of the top you put up doesn't show the passenger side. I'll try to take a pic of it tonight when I get home. I'm sure it's there for a reason....
Here's a picture already taken. It looks like something definitely from the factory. I'll call the guy I bought it from this weekend. He took the top off, maybe he knows what was there. Maybe it was something that was covered up with the vinyl? Mystery to me anyway...
P.S. I got an email from H/O Registry. I'm a member now. I sent an email to their '74 expert. When I receive a reply with more information, I'll post it for future ClassicOlds members....

 

Hmmm, certianly don't know what that can be, here's a picture of that area, not my car but one I had on my computer. Whatever that was it is in the area covered by Vinyl material, I'm sure nothing would have stuck up through there, I can only guess it was an attempt at a prior rust hole fix??, not really sure as I've never had my material off.

 

Jeff,
I talked to the previous owner yesterday evening. You are correct! You win the prize! He cut out a little bit of rust. I told him that it has been a mystery and we both had a good laugh.
I also talked to Tony-the 74 Hurst expert from H/O Club.
Questions answered:
1/2" padding.
No seams showing except one in the middle under the rear window.
The vinyl material used was the same as the material used for the seats. Doesn't recommend using it again since it is a thinner material. I'll probably go ahead with the elkgrain vinyl.
Colors are the normal white or black vinyl for Olds that year.
The package tray was mesh deluxe with holes for the speakers. I think no holes if it didn't have factory speakers.
I learned a lot, and am still learning...
Thanks for your help!

 

Hmm- hate to question Tony because he knows these cars, but when I pulled the vinyl off mine the padding was 1/4" and there were two lapped seams on the section between back glass and decklid. My roof cover was also not wet-look vinyl as used on the seats. To my knowledge it had its original roof cover as I have all the paperwork from the MSO and thru the three previous owners. My guess is there were production differences as the cars came down the line.

Atdog, I'm on dialup out here in the sticks so posting pictures can be a challenge.

 

Rocketraider: I'm finding out there just isn't a whole lot of information on this model year Hurst.
I'm also on dial up. Sometimes I just have to post the picture and then go outside for a while as it uploads!

 

Well, everyone else has already answered your questions, so I'll just add some items. Hurst offered a few options for these cars. The digital tach mounted just in front of the roll up compartment, the motor minder (vaccuum guage) that mounts low to the right of the column, rim lock lugs, keyed alarm system and I believe air shocks. All 350 cars had the Cutlass and S emblems, while the 455 cars have no holes in the fenders.

I've had my '74 H/O since about '86. There isn't much that I haven't played with on it. I see you do have the steel plates on the car for the window modification. Look closely at it, and you should still see the placement of the emblems. Repro emblems and hood ornament are very good quality. Since the roof trim was not in the factory location, the mounts across the roof top are small screws, which is why rust is so common. I saw a loooow mileage model a few years back, the original vinyl roof material on his car was the same as the wet look vinyl of the interior. I have a ton of detailed photos of his black car, email me and I'll send them to you. Ebayalias@aol.com

If you want to collect things for your car, look for a '74 Indy program (H/O in centerfold), try to find the Indy phone directory ( H/O drawn on cover), look for the pace car keychain, get the Johnny Lightning 1/64 car, get a factory promo model and see if the guy who sold the sticker set for it is still around,and there are about 4 or 5 articles from back then about the car.

When you take your car apart, if you find a build sheet or have the window sticker, I'd love a copy. Thanks, and I'll try to help you as much as I can.

 

Well alright! I dropped it off at the autotrim shop yesterday morning.
The owner and I agreed that the thickness of the padding would be determined by the trim. We also agreed that any seams would be up to the installer.
I've heard none, one, and two seams for the top, so maybe it was ORIGINALLY up to the installer anyway? I'll just be happy with the new top.
When I get it back, I'll take some pictures and post them on a new thread.
Thanks for everyones help!

 

Congrats on a very cool car, I'm excited for you! Keep the updates coming please.

 

I'm sure it will look great, no matter how many seams it has. Keep us posted!