69 Hurst Olds ragtop for sale (1 of 2)

[StealthBird]

Actually, this IS the real deal. The VIN# of one of the two 1969 H/O ragtops is 344679M409421, and that matches this car's VIN. I have a pic of the original Hurst Protect-O-Plate for one of the Hurst convertibles.

The story of the $3 million dollar 69 H/O ragtop years ago is true, but since that car never sold (the price was ridiculous), it's meaningless. Heck, I can ask $12.5 million for a 1968 Chevelle SS396, but it won't sell.

This is still a noteworthy car, but unfortunately it hasn't sold at $800K. It's been advertised in Hemmings Motor News and other locations for several months now. No takers. And the last time it was advertised, there were about 20 more photos posted, including engine photos (I have them somewhere). It had the H/O air cleaner.

The market is just too soft right now, and based on the Oldsmobiles that went through the last few auctions, I think this 69 H/O ragtop may be sitting a while longer.

[RM Schimel]

This 69 H/O convertible is not on the list of Vin numbers compiled by Kurt Karch. These are the only 1969 H/O Vin numbers that are legitimately documented & accepted ... nowhere are the last six digits containing 409421 shown. Thanx! RM

http://hurstolds.oldsgmail.com/69hovin.htm

[iluv69s]

apparently, that list is not complete..???

[StealthBird]

Yeah, I guess that list is the final word. That list has been referred to before, but serious Olds guys do not use it. It's incorrect in places, missing some VIN's, and a few people I've spoken to in the past year with vast H/O knowledge have said that there are some VIN's on there that are not even H/O's. It's an old, outdated site.

This car is for real. I have information on all 3 of the H/O ragtops; the two originals, the one that was destroyed, and the replacement.

[RM Schimel]

[ QUOTE ]
I have information on all 3 of the H/O ragtops; the two originals, the one that was destroyed, and the replacement.

[/ QUOTE ]


Interesting… can you provide us your information on the three 1969 H/O converts? I would be interested in seeing it. From what I understand Alan Bender currently owns this car and has never offered it for sale before. A collector Don Hartman was the owner of the other 1969 H/O ragtop several years back. I will contact the broker now that the mystery has been solved on this particular car to find out the actual asking price. Not sure if the asking price of 800K is just speculation?

Thanks RM!

[Canuck]

I have seen three 69 H/O converts over the years:

Fisrst sighting
1986 Olds Nationals,Santa Clara CA. A fellow shops up with a tired 69 H/O Convert. It has gold carpet and suction cup marks on the trunk lid. his claim is its the original West Coast car. Car was tired looking with lots of dings and faded original paint.That is the car that is now for sale and subject of the original post.

Second sighting
1987 Olds Nationals,Lansing MI. The car shown was driven out from Arizona and owned by one Jim Battle at the time. The car was displayed in a special display of significant Oldsmobiles at that event. Speculation was it was a clone.


Third sighting
1997 Olds Nationals, Lansing. Car was presented with POP showing ownwrship by Hurst Engineering, purported to be George Hurst own car. Had an oversize ashtray mounted at the bottom of the drivers door panel. George liked his Cigars.This car had a regular antennae.

If you look at early photos from the spring summer of 69,you will see a few distinguishing differences of the cars. In some photos one Ragtop had a standard antennae and the other had a power antennae on the rear quarter.The CA car now for sale does not have a power antennae and the car in Lansing in 1997 did not have a power antennae.
www.jeffmeister.com

Anybody else recall seeing these cars in person.

[SmallHurst]

The car seen in '97 was also driven to Denver in '01 and Lansing in '02. This is my friends car. It has the documentation.

The story of the gold carpet car jives with what I have heard. A member of this site confirmed seeing this car in the last year in the aforementioned shape, still under the tree!

[RM Schimel]

Paul…thanks great insight. I was able to speak today with a nice fella from the auto broker representing the car in California. They are not disclosing any selling price for the car but are entertaining all credible offers. They have had significant interest from serious collectors around the country that desire to do a complete concours restoration of the automobile.

One of the interested parties includes a representative from the Colorado Gateway Auto Museum. They were the purchasers of the Oldsmobile F-88 at the B-J auction several years ago. I believe that F-88 has since undergone a complete nut & bolt restoration and is currently on display.

The broker I spoke with says they are in the process of obtaining more original paperwork including a build card from the original owner Richard Pierce. They currently only have a photocopy of the POP. But Mr. Pierce apparently has great deal of other documentation on the car.

A couple of interesting facts about the car include the shifter, which was a prototype along with transmission, both of which were being tested by Hurst performance and Oldsmobile. The items are said to be original to the car. The car is missing some original components including the numbers matching carburetor.

I am glad to see such an interesting car uncovered. It is such a historically significant auto…I hope the future owner brings it back to its original glory.

RM

[Canuck]

[ QUOTE ]
I have seen three 69 H/O converts over the years:

Whith recognition to the site owners I have included the cars at the sightings

Fisrst sighting
1986 Olds Nationals,Santa Clara CA. A fellow shops up with a tired 69 H/O Convert. It has gold carpet and suction cup marks on the trunk lid. his claim is its the original West Coast car. Car was tired looking with lots of dings and faded original paint.That is the car that is now for sale and subject of the original post.



from www.mantei.com

Second sighting
1987 Olds Nationals,Lansing MI. The car shown was driven out from Arizona and owned by one Jim Battle at the time. The car was displayed in a special display of significant Oldsmobiles at that event. Speculation was it was a clone.



www.mantei.com


Third sighting
1997 Olds Nationals, Lansing. Car was presented with POP showing ownwrship by Hurst Engineering, purported to be George Hurst own car. Had an oversize ashtray mounted at the bottom of the drivers door panel. George liked his Cigars.This car had a regular antennae.



www.69olds.com

If you look at early photos from the spring summer of 69,you will see a few distinguishing differences of the cars. In some photos one Ragtop had a standard antennae and the other had a power antennae on the rear quarter.The CA car now for sale does not have a power antennae and the car in Lansing in 1997 did not have a power antennae.
www.jeffmeister.com

Anybody else recall seeing these cars in person.

[/ QUOTE ]

Could cars #2 and 3 be the same car?. None of these have the power antennae on the rear quarter. Was that the car destroyed?


Paul

[SmallHurst]

Canuck,

I have a call in to my friend. I hope to have some of the air cleared by the end of this weekend.