The General Motors G platform—also known as G-body—underpinned some of the most recognized high-performance models of the 1980s, including the Buick Grand National. But among the list of G-body cars that have largely disappeared from memory, there’s one model that deserves full consideration as a classic from the era: the Hurst/Olds.
In the early 1980s, Hurst—the producer of racing-oriented shifters and other go-fast equipment—had lost some of the cachet it enjoyed for decades. During this time, the Oldsmobile brand was also starting to lose its currency. So…enter the Hurst/Olds, a fainter echo of the automaker's original
collaboration with the company in 1968.
The Hurst/Olds was based on the Oldsmobile Cutlass coupe—which was modified by Cars and Concepts, a specialty manufacturing shop in Brighton, Mich. As with its predecessors, these hopped-up Cutlass coupes were identifiable by way of their unique paint scheme, initially black on top of silver with a red stripe (with the palette flipped for 1984).
A spoiler was stuck on the trunk, special rims were installed at all four corners, and a dual exhaust system spoke of the 307 cubic inch V8 engine sitting under the Oldsmobile's hood. A sticker package proudly proclaimed the car's Hurst/Olds identity, and of course it had access to that most G-body of accoutrements: T-tops.
T-tops were a quintessential option for the Hurst/Olds.
GM, recognizing that the Hurst/Olds needed an extra gimmick to draw attention in showrooms, turned to the transmission experts employed by the car's namesake. The result was perhaps the most unique automatic gearbox to come out of the 1980s. Dubbed the “Lightning Rod” shift system, the three-stalk setup sticking up out of the car's center console looked like voodoo to everyone but the Oldsmobile’s owners, and allowed for manual control over upshifts through the three-speed design.
While the Hurst/Olds rumble might have sounded menacing, there was relatively little to fear from its small-displacement eight-cylinder engine. With 180 horsepower on tap, the Oldsmobile could certainly get out of its own way, and 245 pound-feet of torque was within spitting distance of more focused performance machines of the era. But the bulk and live-axle suspension setup of the Cutlass made the Hurst/Olds more of a cruiser than a bruiser, as evidenced by its nine-second sprint to 60 miles per hour.
The 307-cubic inch V8 was good for a modest 170 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque.
A mere 6,5001 Hurst/Olds coupes were built during the two-year production run, which was a full 501 more than originally intended by The General’s bean counters. Today, the cars are affordable to buy and cheap to run. These models come up on eBay time - opens in new window or tab. and time again - opens in new window or tab.. And eBay Motors can help you source second-hand parts for hard-to-find components - opens in new window or tab. like the Lightning Rod’s unique transmissions setup. Comfortable to drive, the Hurst/Olds makes for a sub-$15,000 entry point into the world of forgotten 1980s classics. Besides, with such a complicated-looking set of shifters, it’s one of those rare automobiles likely to scare off any potential thieves as soon as they’ve had a look through the window.
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