Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 195
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst/Olds Chassis no. 344878M392646 Engine no. 38M441192
Sold for US$51,520 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 195
Offered from the Golden State Muscle Car Collection
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst/Olds
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst/Olds
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst/Olds
Chassis no. 344878M392646
Engine no. 38M441192
Chassis no. 344878M392646
Engine no. 38M441192
455ci OHV 'Rocket' V8 Engine
Single 4-Barrel Carburetor
390bhp at 5,000rpm
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle
Front Disc, Rear Drum Brakes
*A rare piece of Oldmobile muscle, with just 464 produced
*The first year for the big-block 455 Olds engine
*Cowl tag denotes correct 940 black vinyl interior
*Color code Z-Z, Peruvian Silver with Black accents, unique to the Hurst
*Beautifully restored to factory standards
*Fitted with a period-correct replacement 455
*A member of the Golden State Muscle Car Collection since 2006
THE CAR OFFERED
GM's Oldsmobile division was eager to be more than just the second banana to Pontiac as the muscle car market took off. Since the unveiling of the Pontiac GTO in 1964, Oldsmobile had been on the defensive, as inter-division competition bubbled up. The Cutlass-based 4-4-2 (later, 442) brought Olds right into the heat of the street scene, and like many other cars of the era, it grew in size, displacement, and power throughout the 60s and into the 70s.
The 1968 Hurst/Olds 442 offered here from the Golden State Muscle Car Collection represents the first year of this special edition 442, developed in conjunction with Hurst Performance, makers of the famous chrome-handle shifters and other performance parts. A directive from GM had banned the fitment of engines larger than 400 cubic inches into mid-sized or smaller platforms (excluding the Corvette), but Olds cheekily worked around this by claiming the massive 455 Rocket V8 was installed by Hurst... it was, in fact, installed on the regular line – demonstrating just how little GM execs knew about what was going on in their own factories!
Rated conservatively at 390 horsepower, this Hurst/Olds, like all others, featured a TH400 automatic transmission, operated via a special Hurst dual-gate ratcheting shifter mechanism. Additionally, it wears special Peruvian Silver paint, black stripes, black decklid, and a black interior – a color scheme only offered in 1968.
Cowl tag decoding indicates this car left the factory in the correct, Hurst-only code Z-Z Peruvian Silver, over a code 940 deluxe vinyl interior. Like most cars in the Golden State Muscle Car Collection, this rare and desirable Hurst/Olds is faithfully restored to original specifications, with myriad authentic details. It is believed to be one of just 464 built in 1968, the debut year for the long-running Hurst/Olds partnership.
Sometimes overshadowed by its more popular Chevelle and GTO cousins, the Hurst/Olds is worthy of attention, with its massive 455ci engine, special Hurst parts, and evocative livery. This rare and outstanding first-year example is certain to impress at any muscle car gathering.
Saleroom notices
Per the description, this car is equipped with a period-correct replacement 455.
Additional information
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