1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

I thought this was kind of an interesting thread about the 1968 Hurst Olds. The vintage pictures of the 68 HO are kind of cool. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?...4d6402e7801ce40

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

I have not seen it in person, but my buddy happens to be restoring this vehicle. He also happens to have one of the '69 H/O convertables. He has a passion for big block, A body, 4-speed, convertables. These are the only automatics he has in his collection!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

Wow-Rusty that is very cool. I was not sure where those cars were today. Those are truly historic cars that spent their lives in front of racing fans. Linda Vaughn being so closely associated with the 68-9 HO convertibles has really made them famous cars with a documented history in pictures. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif I would think those cars would be almost priceless in value today because of their history, legacy and rarity. It sure would be neat to see some pictures of both the 68 and 69 HO convertibles once your friend gets them completed. Is the 1968 HO convertible a four-speed or automatic? I read an interview with Doc Watson some time ago where he said that Hurst made about five or six 1968 HO convertibles but I never really was sure on the accurate count. Thanks Rusty for sharing the info on two very rare cars. John

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

DAH https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/stupid.gif -You already answered the transmission question. Sorry Rusty I’ve been shoveling a little too much snow lately. I think my brain is frozen. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

My buddy has not restored the '69 H/O and everyone flipped out when they saw his car at the Olds Centennial in '97. I have never seen so many grown men instantly flop on their bellies to take a look at the trans tag! He has driven (yes, driven!!!) this car to Denver and Lansing in '02. I want him to get the '68 on the road in a hustle, but as it always works with the best laid plans, just too much going on to get it finished yet!

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

I remember one of the 1968 silver Hurst/Olds 442(4-speed) convertibles on ebay a few years ago. I believe Joe at Parts Place bought it.Does any one know how many convertibles in '68 were made?

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

I had always heard they made two. Probably didn't make anymore because it took 3 men (all sitting in the back seat) to shift. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Here's another view of one of the weird flipper-wing prototypes. Hurst was obviously inspired by the innovative Jim Hall 2E Chaparrals from 1966/1967. I doubt a moveable wing would be very practical (or effective) on a street car, but hey, give them an "A" for effort.

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

What that pic taken in Warminster, PA? Looks like the HH Plastics building - ex Hurst plant.

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

That is definitely the old Warminster Plant https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

I was stationed at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Warminster PA from '94 to '96. I passed the old Hurst Plant regularly to and from work and home (Chalfont). Inspiring! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

The flapper wing that is shown was something that Hurst wanted to do to help in braking. The wing would only flap up when the brakes were applied.

Hurst also wanted to go with the Hurst Gold and black stripes for the '68 (that is the color my buddies convertable is ) but, it was too large a metalflake for the guns in the spraybooth to shoot (and I am imagining that would mottle like a B!tch) so they shot Peruvian Silver and black stripes. The Peruvian Silver was a Toronado only color. It is very easy to find and verify a '68 H/O because of the color code on the trim tag.

All of the '68 and '69 cars were assembled on the line at Lansing and finished at Demmer engineering. This was because of the extra work necessary on these cars but it also gave the credience that the engine swap was going on there and not on the line (remember, GM had the rule of nothing more that 400 cubes in an A body) And to tell the truth, the engines were installed on the line!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

[ QUOTE ]
The flapper wing that is shown was something that Hurst wanted to do to help in braking. The wing would only flap up when the brakes were applied.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rusty, I was just pointing out that the flipper wing was a novelty on the 68 H/O. The 68 H/O wing wouldn't have any effect on braking at all. It would however provide some downforce at high speed.

I'd be curious how Hurst planned to operate the wing.

1. Controlled by the brake pedal, with a cable to the rear.
2. Electrical solenoids to move the wing when the brake light switch was activated.
3. Vacuum operated with a hose running from the brake booster to the rear wing.

Considering this was a styling exercise, I wouln't be surprised if the wing was manually controlled by a dash cable, with plans to automate it later if they thought of putting it into production.

Those 1966 Chaparral cars were a sensation back then, and everyone (even kids toys) sort of had "wing mania" at that time, even Hurst.

Re: 1968 Hurst Olds Convertible
 

All the Hursts built on the assembly line as Hursts at Oldsmobile as part of the group builds were pretty much identical in two major divisions: A/C (W46) and non A/C (W45). The W45 non air ones were the really fast ones with a lot more gear and a lot less weight. All were automatics and no convertibles in those groups. There were both "post" cars(77 models) and hardtops (87) models in 1968 and only hardtop 87 series cars in 1969. Normal options that could be had on 442's and Cutlasses like power steering, power windows, audio packages, etc. were available on all. All were M40 automatics with power disc brakes.

The one of a kind 4 speed cars and convertibles were either built at Hurst or at Demmer from regular 442's. Many were vehicles supplied from Olds Engineering as we worked very close with Hurst at that time.

The "screaming yellow zonker" Rallye 350 was a W45 model and rumor has it that it was supposed to be the 1970 Hurst. Most people don't want to talk about that. Olds Engineering and Olds Marketing were in a power struggle then to control what the packages would be. Hurst sided with Engineering, who controlled all the performance programs at Olds up to around that point. The Doctor Oldsmobile campaign in 1969 was the first major marketing input to increase the marketing of the cars.

Both Hurst and Olds Engineering wanted more performance in the 70 model as not only was the W31 package available for that, but the 442 had the 455 in 1970. Marketing wanted the 350 to go for the less performance image,and more flash and bling like all of them did around that time and later. Engineers had been pulled off the hot rod/performance program as the emphasis on emissions took priority then. They didn't put up much a fight on the Rallye program.

There were 4 cars prepped for a management evaluation before the car was released for production. These were engineering test cars built from regular Cutlasses and F85's and two had the W31 engines and two had the standard 310 hp Cutlass engine. Marketing won out, and Engineering at least upgraded the standard 4 barrel high compression package at that time. It used the cam out of the 442 stick shift car to get a little more performance out of it.

The standard 442's finally used the 455's instead of the G block 400 and it wasn't necessary to have special models like the W31 and Hursts to preserve the Olds image on the strips with the factory and dealer sponsored teams. The low compression change in March, 1970 was the final nail in the coffin for the W31 program and it was cancelled.

Fun, exciting times, but like the endless summer, came to an abrupt end. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif