- Custom factory paint job
- Brawny W34 rated at 380 HP
- H/O 455 lettering gave ample warning
Executive hot rod
The first Hurst/Olds came in 1968, based on the 4-4-2 but included in the mods was a tweaked 455-cid Toronado “W45” engine, a “W46” mill when air conditioning was an option and—of course—a Hurst floor shift, a “Dual-Gate” shifter was fitted with the automatic transmission.
Before that time, Olds was not growing their customer base, losing sales, they were becoming an “old people’s car.”
A large-cube muscle car seemed a perfect way to create added exposure for the Olds dealerships. There was a market for an upscale “executive hot rod” to affluent buyers, who perhaps grew up admiring the Rocket V8s and lusting after Olds “J2” tri-powered powerhouses in years back.
The Hurst/Olds was unique in appearance
The 1969 Hurst/Olds was recognizably unique in appearance. Cameo White paint replaced the silver hue, accented by “Fire Frost” gold side stripes that ran from the front fenders to the curve around the side quarter windows. The gold hue was also used on the hood, seat headrests and lower edges of the sides as well as wide stripes placed on the roof and deck lid. Hand pinstriping in black finished off the paint accents, a custom paint job from the factory!
The W34 engine
The heart of a Hurst/Olds is the engine, a 455-cid with these specs:
- # 230652 cylinder heads
- chrome silicon valve springs
- 10.5:1 compression pistons
- super-finish crankshaft
- Conecc profile rod bearings
- .471-inch lift, 285/287-degree duration hydraulic camshaft
- Quadrajet 4 bbl. carb with 13/8-inch primaries, 2 ¼-inch secondaries
- a fresh-air induction system
- intake manifold modified for PCV valve
- re-calibrated distributor for quicker advance
- dual breathers located on valve covers
- 2 ¼-inch dual exhausts with low-back-pressure mufflers with separate resonators
The brawny engine, officially the W34, at 5000 rpm was factory rated at 380 horsepower. However, the big number was the torque figure: at 3000 rpm, this engine cranked out some 500 lbs.-ft. of torque!
A Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was standard equipment, and it was re-worked with an unique valve body, different output shaft and bushing, revisions to the direct and intermediate clutches, different clutch springs and governor. The other ingredient to the H/O transformation included the fitting of the Hurst Dual-Gate shifter. The beauty of the complex unit was that it incorporated a lockout plate that, when moved, allowed the driver to manually shift the engine at full rpms —a racer’s delight!
An anti-spin differential was standard, and three different rear-gear ratios were available, 3.42:1 (standard), 3.91:1 (optional, non-A/C) and 3.32:1 (A/C applications). A 4-4-2 suspension was used, along with front and rear stabilizers with .937-inch diameter front, and .875-inch rear, along with standard power front disc brakes.
Road Test Magazine took it to Orange County International Raceway and ran a 13.98 at 99.88 mph. Hot Rod Magazine's was the slowest with a 14.21-time slip, but are respectable 99.66 mph. These cars were no lightweights, with a weight of over 3900 pounds; the “Torque Monster” 455 Olds engine handled the chore beautifully.
Full interior restoration
Instantly recognizable
It is a strikingly great-looking car, easily noticed and the gold-on-white colors are now instantly recognizable as being that of the famous Hurst/Olds. When loaded with options these cars would sticker at right around $5,000.00.
