Documented Numbers Matching Hurst/Olds 455 V8 TH400

Here at RK Motors Charlotte, we sell a ton of great Chevelles and GTOs, but it's always a rare treat when we find an awesome Oldsmobile A-body like this 1968 Hurst/Olds. Not surprisingly, when most people think of Oldsmobile muscle cars visions of gnarly 442s start dancing through their heads; and as nice as those cars are, they simply can't compare with the exclusivity or value of red hot, top dog Hurst/Olds – they're in a whole different league. According to a letter from the Hurst/Olds Club of America, this documented, 100% numbers matching 1968 Hurst/Olds is number 378 of only 464 produced for the first model year. If you're looking for rare, investment grade muscle with a fresh top-notch restoration that will bring home big trophies and an even bigger return, this Oldsmobile is the car you've been waiting for.

When the folks at Oldsmobile put the Hurst/Olds into production, they didn't envision it becoming a hot collector's item 40 years down the road. That resulted in some loose record keeping and murky trim tags which sometimes make the cars extremely difficult to authenticate. Fortunately, this 1968 Hurst/Olds has all the right traits and all the right numbers to prove it's the real deal multiple times over. Below, I've decoded both the VIN and cowl tag, and included notes indicating what makes this 1968 Hurst/Olds 100% authentic.

VIN: 344878M407836

3 – Oldsmobile
44 – 442 V8 (All 1968 Hurst/Olds were created from 442s)
87 – Two door Holiday coupe
8 – 1968 model year
M – Assembled in Lansing, Michigan (All 1968 Hurst/Olds were assembled in Lansing, Michigan)
407836 – Sequence number

COWL TAG:

06A – Assembled during the first week of June, 1968 (All 1968 Hurst/Olds were assembled between mid-April and mid-June of 1968)
68 – 1968 model year
33687 – 3: Oldsmobile, 36: Cutlass, 87: Two door Holiday coupe
LAN – Assembled in Lansing Michigan (Matches the VIN)
411026 – Body sequence number
940 – Black bucket vinyl interior (The only interior available in 1968 Hurst/Olds)
Z-Z – Peruvian Silver and black paint (The exclusive paint code for 1968 Hurst/Olds)

Originally delivered to Mitchell Oldsmobile in Huntington New York, this 1968 Hurst/Olds recently benefitted from a top-notch, professional nut and bolt rotisserie restoration that was painstakingly executed to the highest level. During that restoration the cars clean and solid body panels were completely disassembled, thoroughly prepped and covered in a super slick Peruvian Silver basecoat/clearcoat finish that includes correct black accent stripes and professionally painted white pin stripes. Today, the cars straight and spectacular looking body exhibits no major defects and its narrow panel gaps provide the kind of excellent fit and functionality that would've been nonexistent back in 1968.

At the front of the car, a bright chrome bumper sits above Hurst/Olds exclusive 13 inch stainless trimmed ram air scoops that pipe air directly to the cars air cleaner. Above that bumper, a black beaked grille is centered between four clear T3 headlights and two clear parking lights that are bordered by like-new silver headlight buckets with pristine stainless trim. Behind those lights, a slightly domed hood is topped by showroom fresh black and silver louvers and highlighted by correctly painted black and white stripes. At the sides of the car, black and white stripes combine with stainless trim to trace both the car's front fender lines and rocker panels, while show worthy chrome drip rails perfectly complement new chrome door handles and a spotless chrome driver's side mirror. Hurst/Olds exclusive red and black fender wells are trimmed in new dent free stainless and correct “Hurts/Olds” fender emblems combine with cool Oldsmobile logo rear marker lights to make sure everyone knows what's passing them. Out back, the car's rear valence is dominated by a second great looking chrome bumper, and the trunk hangs a modern looking “Oldsmobile” script and a third correct “Hurst/Olds” emblem above pristine rocket inspired tail lights.

Lift the hood on this rare 1968 Oldsmobile and you'll find its original W45 Rocket 455 which carries a correct 1968 Oldsmobile big block 396021F casting number and a correct 38M407836 partial VIN. Thanks to Oldsmobile's clever idea of convincing GM brass that this hot 455 engine was actually installed by Hurst, they were able to sidestep GM's lame 400 cubic inch mandate and this car became the only GM intermediate to offer a large displacement engine. The new for 1968 Rocket 455 used an increased stroke to create 390 horsepower and one of the meanest sounds to ever come out of an American muscle car. Stomp the throttle and a correct 7028255 W31 4-barrel carburetor mixes fuel from new stainless fuel lines with air from a new black and chrome dual snorkel air cleaner and shoves it into a correct cast iron 4V intake manifold. At the sides of that intake, correct Oldsmobile “D” heads sit above correct cast iron exhaust manifolds which make quick work of spent gases; and behind the carburetor, a correct points distributor sends fire through correct black Packard Suppression wires. At the front of the engine, reproduction GM hoses circulate water through a correct radiator while new V-belts spin a new alternator, a new power steering pump and a correct fan. Aesthetically, the cars correct red plastic inner fenders and correct red engine block look fantastic against its satin black hood and firewall, and the entire engine bay is detailed in correct chalk marks, reproduction decals and info tags which give it a showroom fresh appearance.

The bottom of this awesome Hurst/Olds is completely fresh from its stainless hardware to its chip free red wheel wells, and it presents an unmatched level of assembly line accuracy. The original, rust free floorpans display an even coat of GM satin black paint that looks perfect above a straight frame and a spotless, correctly marked gray driveline. Behind the big block 455, the car's original code O Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed transmission sends power to correct pavement melting 3.91 gears, and exhaust flows through a mandrel bent true dual system into factory replacement mufflers. At the front of the car, factory correct double A-arms hold fresh coils and new shocks above a completely rebuilt and chalk marked front suspension, and at the back of the car, a fully restored, marked and tagged triangulated four link suspension hangs fresh coil springs and new spiral shocks next to a correct T3 12 bolt rear end. Braking is provided by standard equipment Hurst/Olds power front disc and rear drum brakes which receive fluid from new stainless lines and a correct Delco brake booster. At the corners of the car, black 14 inch Oldsmobile stamped style two (SSII) wheels wear gray and silver paint, Oldsmobile rocket center caps and G70-14 Goodyear Polyglas white wall tires.

Inside the car, you'll find a nicely restored GM code 940 black vinyl interior that is both comfortable and appealing. New vinyl seats sit on new carpet that is protected by new rubber floor mats and great looking new door panels are decorated with pristine stainless trim pieces. Above the seats a new headliner is stretched tight across the roof and between the seats, a factory correct short console features authentic Hurst/Olds exclusive Walnut trim around a correct Hurst dual-gate ratchet shifter that permits automatic or manual shifting. In front of the driver, a new dash pad houses a Hurst/Olds exclusive tic-toc tachometer above Hurst/Olds exclusive Walnut trim and a correct Oldsmobile AM radio. In front of the passenger, a correct Hurst/Olds logo is attached to the cars locking glove box, and in front of the driver, an authentic wood trimmed three spoke satin finished steering wheel features a red Oldsmobile rocket logo. Behind the cockpit, a fully restored trunk is correctly equipped with fresh spatter paint, a new houndstooth mat, a correct spare tire and correct trunk lid decals.

Documentation for this Oldsmobile includes a broadcast sheet, a CD full of restoration photos, a stack of restoration receipts, a pile of Hurst/Olds Club paperwork which features factory information about the car and a note confirming the cars status as a real Hurst/Olds, a reproduction owner's manual and a cool 1973 newspaper ad where one of the cars previous owners purchased it used.

If you're tired of the same old Chevelles and GTOs that you can find anywhere, anytime take a close look at this phenomenal 1968 Hurst/Olds. It's a super rare car that is the perfect investment for an emphatic Oldsmobile collector or any serious muscle car fan who wants something a little different. Fully restored, highly attractive and poised to gain value by the year, the only thing this Oldsmobile needs is an enthusiastic new owner. Call today!