Nice '68 Hurst Olds on eBay

[SmallHurst]

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah, I think the guys that did the appearance package on the 69 spent too much time in the J.C Whitney catalog back then.

[/ QUOTE ] Thanks Dave, you really made my day.

As far as the engines are concerned, they had the 455's installed on the line and were delivered to Demmer that way. In '68, they added the stripes, real wood to the dash, dualgate, pinstriping, and badges. In '69 they added the stripes, hood scoop, rear wing, dualgate, pinstriping, and badging.

I will try to post a couple of picture of my '69 tomorrow.

And as far as numbers correct block, I am just saying that to find one with a numbers correct block is a ultra rare occasion.

[StealthBird]

Tim, the 68/69 H/O's were delivered to Demmer Engineering (responsible for the conversions) with the 455 already in place. For several decades, within both Musclecar magazines and books, it was reported that Demmer Engineering transplanted 455's into 442's in order to bypass the GM mandate limiting A-body cars to 400 cubic inches. There were always rumors that these 442's, destined for the Hurst/Olds conversion, actually had 455's installed at the factory. Finally, a few years ago Jack "Doc" Watson confirmed this in an episode of "American Musclecar" when he looked at the camera and stated clearly that yes, the 442's were shipped to Demmer Engineering with the 455's already installed by Oldsmobile.

Dave H. can shed some more light on this too, as he was actually there when it happened.

Another long time myth that was finally blown apart was that the 1964 Car & Driver GTO, the one article that arguably launched the Musclecar Era, had a 389 Tri-Power. For 35 years, Jim Wangers stood by this story, so dozens of articles and books quoted him. However, in 1999, Wangers finally came clean in his "Glory Days" book and admitted that the 1964 Car & Driver GTO had a prepped 421 under the hood.

[JoeG]

All the different styles,powerplants, colors ,bells and whistles in the late 6o' and early 70's made for some exciting times---

[SmallHurst]

I talked with some of the line workers that were assembling the Cutlass/ 442 in '69 and they confirmed that the 455 was in the frame rails as it came down the line. In '68 and '69 the 455's were red, a sharp contrast to the engine colors of the 350's and 400's. They said they could see those units coming from a long ways away.

[GTO_DON]

Thats not true!! they definetly left the factory with the 455 in it. the vin number to the car is stamped on the block and was done at the factory. they were shipped in silver to demmer and thats where they did the paintwork and stripes. Its in the hurst heritage book.

[Pantera]

Way back then was there not some fed law that the factory had to have a vin and hidden # on the car and the motor and trans had to match?

[DaJudge]

My cousin had a 68 Hurst Olds and the VIN was stamped in the block and a few 69 Hurst Olds I have personally looked at had the VIN on the block as well. All Demmer did was stripe the cars, the walnut dash plaque and possibly the dual gate shifter. Gotta love the Hurst Olds

[JoeG]

some info---

[StealthBird]

And as I mentioned above, I don't blame anyone for thinking the 455's were transplants. That's what was printed in books and magazines for the last few decades when discussing 68-69 H/O's. When more people started doing some hardcore research into Demmer (not just tallying up production figures for H/O's), they discovered that the 455's were truly installed by Oldsmobile at the plant. Doc Watson verified that on TV. My guess is that the story of the 455 transplants was originated in 1968 by Oldsmobile in order to prevent any friction with GM management for using 455's in A-bodies.

Olds Plant Manager to GM Quality Control rep : "No sir, I don't why these engines are painted red today."


The 69's had a bit more work done to them (cosmetically) than the 68's. The 68's had the paint job, emblems, and a W-30 OAI setup, while the 69's had the paint job, emblems, decals, unique hood scoop, rear wing, special outside mirrors, head rest stripes, and a unique air cleaner setup. I love them both.

[Belair62]

Are all H/O's automatics ???