Hurst Shorts
Description: The 1969 Hurst/Olds again used the 455-cid V-8 with W-30 heads, cam, distributor, and Force-Air induction. This engine, called the W-46, was slightly detuned from ’68, losing 10 bhp. A H/O modified Turbo Hydra-matic transmission with console-shifted Hurst Dual-Gate was mandatory. As high performance raced into the wacky late ’60s, the idea of a mad scientist conjuring up ever-more-potent 4-4-2s seemed almost reasonable, and Olds advertising was rife with the image of Dr. Oldsmobile in his baggy lab coat and silent-movie mustache. In a sense, there really was such a fellow: Jack “Doc” Watson, head of research for Hurst Performance Products.
Description: At the height of the muscle car era, Oldsmobile made a deal with Hurst that worked out really well for both companies. In order to create a “halo” car, the two companies collaborated to produce special, limited edition, high-performance Cutlasses. The program started in 1968 with a run of 515 cars, and continued off and on for a number of years, with the final run in 1984, but for many fans, the 1968, 1969, and 1972 versions were the best out of the nine years these cars were offered. The inspiration for the production cars was the Hurst Hairy Olds of 1966-67, drag cars that made a huge impact – twin-engine, four-wheel-drive monsters that were really fun to watch.
Description: The 1969 Hurst/Olds is proof that even the most conservative manufacturers could go wild in the muscle car era. As high-performance raced into the late '60s, the idea of a mad scientist conjuring up ever-more-potent 442s seemed almost reasonable, and Olds advertising was rife with the image of Dr. Oldsmobile with his lab coat and mustache. The Hurst/Olds model was no longer a low-key affair as bold "Firefrost Gold" striping now accented its white paint. On the hood was a flamboyant dual-snout scoop more efficient at feeding the engine than the under-bumper Force-Air inlets on other 4-4-2s. And the decklid held an enormous airfoil that furnished 64 pounds of downforce at 120 mph. This design is based on swinging '60s style promotional art.
