We are pleased to present this outstanding 1968 Hurst H/O Oldsmobile for consideration. George Hurst at this time had made a name for himself in the drag racing industry by not only engineering high performance components from shifters to transmissions to wheels, but also masterfully promoting and branding these products as Hurst. Hurst has such a good reputation that one of GMs most conservative divisions, Oldsmobile, was the first to put the Hurst name on a production car. The 1968 Hurst Olds was different, elegant and aggressive. Most notable was the massive 455 CID big block engine. This was very significant as GM had a ban on all motors over 400 CID on being installed in a mid-size car. Hursts chief engineer Jack Doc Watson was the mastermind behind the development of the car. This was no small task as the production year was well on its way. Watson turned to Lansing industrialists John Demmer to provide the facility to which these cars would be built. Lansing sent 515 Cutlass bodies, all painted Pervuian Silver and outfitted with all the W30 options including the forced air induction, heavy duty radiator, heavy duty suspension, etc. to Demmers facility where Doc Watson and his staff went to work install the 455 cid power plant, dual gate shifter, stripe and emblem package, and the specially painted trunk lid so to deliver their product to the dealerships on time.
The 1968 Hurst Oldsmobile offered here is one of approximately 128 known to still exist, car number 84 of the 515 built. It has been the recipient of one high quality restoration on a rust free California car. Just out of a private collection, today, the car remains outstanding in every way. It retains its original, numbers matching motor and drive-train, original Hurst components, original sheet-metal. Mechanically, the car is turn-key and can be driven anywhere. Options include: Specially prepared 455 V8, turbo 400 transmission with Hurst Shift Kit, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Wood Steering Wheel, Factory Gauges, Factory A/C, Tinted Glass and 3.42 Posi rear end. This car is fully documented with its original build sheet, all California registrations from 1968 to 1996, its original California black plate and full owner history.
The 1968 Hurst Oldsmobile H/O is an important car, paving the way for big cubic inches finding their way into mid-sized, light weight cars. They were built where competition and creativity among company divisions was encouraged. The Hurst Olds has all the characteristics of the finest super car, but without the objectionable noise and choppy ride. George Hurst said this in their product announcement June 25, 1968. Through his promotional skills, these were cars that everyone knew about, but rarely were seen. The car offered here is an opportunity.
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