[retengw31]

All those convertibles were built on line as standard 442's before the Hurst program began. They were converted afterwards to the Hurst trim and packages. Once we started building the on line groups, they were pretty well set as to what they were with no special variations other than normal Cutlass/442 options and accessories. All Hursts that rolled off the line as Hursts were hardtops.

The red fenderwells started in 1967 on the W30. I believe the 1966 W30 still had black stamped steel ones. You're exactly right about the black wells on the 69 clashing with the white/gold.

I believe the F,D, and H heads are the most pricey due to rarity (H being the rarest).As fas as performance, the exhaust divider between the center ports was flush with the exhaust manifold surface to take advantage of the new (for for 1969) chambered exhaust manifolds (W and Z) C's are popular because they had small combustion chambers and are relatively plentiful (all 1968 and 1969 455's except the few with D's).

The 70 W30 has always been the pinnacle of performance of these cars since it was the first (and only) one with the big high compression 455 and the big 328 rumpity-rump cam, the new ram air fiberglass hood, and the new aluminum intake. I believe a 68 H/O was a little lighter than the 70 W30 and the non A/C car would give them a good run for the money even with the smaller 308 cam.