The First One Ever Built? 1979 Hurst/Olds





























While I was writing the other day, I saw a commenter on another car website talking about how muscle cars are becoming more expensive and thus are further and further away from the grasp of blue-collar enthusiasts. While that statement is fairly true, the problem with that statement is it pertains mostly to 1964 to 1974 muscle cars. While the later muscle cars are not as desirable and fast as their predecessors, their handling is fairly decent, as is their performance. This muscle car is a 1979 Hurst/Olds, and is believed to be the first one built for 1979. Find it here on eBay in Naperville, Illinois, with no bids, a Buy-It-Now price of $8,900, and a little under eight and half hours left to bid.



























After a four-year hiatus, the Hurst/Olds returned for 1979; now based off of the Cutlass Calais coupe, the Hurst/Olds came in either white and gold or black and gold and came with unique 15X7 aluminum wheels. This 1979 Hurst/Olds is painted black and gold, and is one of 1,334 cars painted as such. Purchased from the original owner, the seller states that the gold paint is original, but the black paint was repainted at some point. The black paint does have some minor scratches and dings in it, but that can easily be remedied. I dig the black and gold paint scheme and those aluminum wheels, though I wish this car was equipped with optional T-tops.



























For the first time in Hurst/Olds history, a big-block 455 was no longer available. Instead, a 350 small-block Oldsmobile V8 was the only engine available; rated at 170 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, the W30 350 (also the first year for a non-455 W30) is no barn burner, but in 1979 it was no slouch either. Backed by the M38 three-speed TH-350 automatic, new parts include rear brakes, belts and hoses, a rebuilt carburetor, and a recent tune up. The seller says the car runs and drives great, and is said to have driven the car all summer. I would drive the car as-is for a little while before bolting on some performance parts to the 350 or swapping it out for a big-block 455.



























This may be my favorite non-Trans Am and pre-1974 GM interior I've ever seen. Resplendent with a black interior, this interior is in the words of David Freiburger, "Mint". I love the console with the Hurst Dual Gate shifter, and even the two-spoke steering wheel looks cool. The headliner has been replaced recently, and everything is said to work perfectly. Overall, this is one of the nicest 1979 Hurst/Olds I've ever seen, and if this is truly the first 1979 Hurst/Olds built, the value will easily skyrocket. What are your thoughts on this clean 1979 Hurst/Olds? 
Location: Naperville, IL, USA

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