Hurst Engineered FWD '68 Olds 442 Uncovered

[bobbarry]

It would be interesting to compare this recent find to the vehicle documented in the magazine article and see if there are any variations, which might make it a "1 of ???" engineering exercise from Hurst.

I admit I was very skeptical based on the originally-reported details (1 of 6 factory FWD prototype for Grand National racing in '68), which didn't add up on a number of levels. Hurst-engineered project incorporating the contemporary enthusiasm for FWD, however, fits the bill for everything else we know about that era.

I would still love to see the documentation for this particular car; it would prove fascinating to run all the numbers on this project.

[1970Bluel78]

This story reminded me of the James Garner Off Road 442's. I think they were 68 also. Who made them ??

[Pulnaway]

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63499 According to this Ron Johnson owns the car. Looks like he has done his homework as far as history/ documentation.

[1970Bluel78]

Thanks for that. My old memory is getting jogged as we speak. Maybe it was the Smothers Brothers that had the 68 off road 442 ?? And who had the 69 Rambler/Scramber off road car ??

[Pulnaway]

I know the Smothers brothers had a whole bunch of Olds drag cars over the yrs. Not sure on the possible dirt car.

[bobbarry]

Here's a good collection of those drag-cars:

http://www.69olds.com/smothers.html

No signage on the Garner car indicating their sponsorship:

http://offroadaction.ca/2009/05/20/j...bber-olds-442/

[Canuck]

In reading the various post the ROP guys got their knickers in a knot because the guy said he bought the car from a dealer. Maybe he did. The car was likely owned by Hurst and had no ties to Olds as far as ownership is concerned. They obviously stated with a stock 442 and did the mods themselves. This is no different than the 64 GTO modified by Wangers and Royal Pontiac for the Car and Driver test. That car was later sold by Royal.
If Olds had modified the car,their lawyers would have insisted that it be destroyed because it was experimental.
Its cool to see this thing still alive. Many Hurst owned cars have surfaced over the years.

Paul

[1970Bluel78]

I did some poking around. James Garner did own 4 Baja 500 Rambler SCrambler cars. Two 4 wheel dr and two two wheel drive. Raced in 69. Backed by AMC

[olredalert]

-----There would be a very good chance that Bob Riggle, Mr.Hurst-Hemi-Under-Glass, would know something about this Cutlass. Bob did a very large amount of contract work for George H back in the day. He was instramental in the H-U-Glass build as well as the 44-two-Much and several others. Bob lives in Prescott AZ. but somehow I have misplaced his phone#. Theres probably a website somewhere that has a way to reach him, as this car seems like it might have his fingerprints on it!!!......Bill S

[ QUOTE ]
From one of the links:

"I just find it funny that its the same kuckleheads over and over again who try rip anyone with something they never heard of a new *sshole. The guy getting the full story wrong on the car is more forgivable to me than all the guys who said it doesn't exist, couldn't be done, guy is smoking dope, blah blah."

This has been a pet peeve of mine since all of these Internet forum began. People are always so quick to jump on people about something out of the norm that they THINK was impossible. I just don't understand it. Most of us are aware of some of the more publisized "special" cars that were built over the early years for GM executives etc. I am sure that there were MANY more "special" cars built with odd drivetrains, options, etc. that are long since gone. Probably a lot of them in 4 door cars that were never considered worth saving.

This should be a good lesson for a lot of the skeptics that are always so quick to spew their vast knowledge that often have no idea of what took place back in the day.

[/ QUOTE ]

I couldn't agree with you more. I have seen it happen here a few times this year. If the person does not post pics right away its a BS story. I sit back and read the posts, when it turns out to be a real story or car, the ones who do the trashing never say they were wrong. JMO