1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst/Olds Tribute

Description

A lot of hobbyists refer to the mid-1970s as the dark days, but in a few corners of the industry, real car guys were still building some pretty nice hardware. Throughout the '70s, the Oldsmobile Cutlass was consistently a best seller, and this 1975 Cutlass Hurst/Olds Tribute is proof enough that these cars could be extremely stylish cars with capable engines and solid performance. If you haven't driven a '70s Olds Cutlass, you're in for a treat, as they aren't wallow land barges, nor are they rock-stiff pavement pounders. Instead, they're surprisingly agile with a big car ride that manufacturers just can't seem to duplicate today.

With only 37,988 original miles, this Cutlass coupe still rides and drives like the General intended. That's the factory color, and the paint is in very good condition, looking even better in person than it does in photos. While Light Green Metallic may not be everyone's cup of tea, it really works on this cruiser, especially with the dark green vinyl top to keep it from being too monochrome. The gold decals down the flanks, over the louvered hood, and on the tail panel further break up the light green, and the Hurts/Olds W-30 look is completed with an aggressive rear spoiler. To our eyes, this presentation is even more striking than bright red or black might be, and the fact that it's so unusual is definitely a bonus. Nicely assembled, those big doors open and close easily without sagging on their hinges or misaligning due to decaying weather seals. There are no obvious signs of rust or botched repairs in this car's past either, further evidence of an easy life spent in Texas with conscientious, caring owners.

Oldsmobile didn't forget that they were a luxury manufacturer in 1975, and the original green, swivel-bucket seat interior of this Cutlass is beautifully appointed and has been wonderfully preserved. The high-back bucket seats look appropriate for the low mileage on the car and are still comfortable and supportive with no splits or holes. The plush carpet is thick with no discoloration or fading, and the dash is beautifully preserved with zero cracks, which is pretty rare for a GM from this era. In this Cutty, the luxury is tempered with a nice dose of sportiness, including a center console that features a T-bar automatic shifter and tachometer, and deep-set round gauges that remind you that this is a car from the same guys who built the 442. An aftermarket AM/FM radio still lives in the factory dash slot, and factory A/C vents now blow upgraded R134a refrigerant throughout the cabin. Overall, the tidy original condition of this interior suggests that this Olds was always a member of the family and therefore never mistreated.

Power comes from Oldsmobile's own, number's matching 350 cubic inch V8, that is now topped by a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and Edelbrock intake. These engines were always known to deliver thousands of miles of trouble-free service with minimal care, thanks in large part to their low compression ratios and liberal use of cast iron. It's also interesting to note that stock cast-iron Olds V-8 cylinder heads of this vintage have a nearly flat, open combustion chamber that not only made the engine fuel efficient, but a relatively clean burner as well. Having spent most of its life in a warm climate, the engine bay is very clean and shows signs of regular maintenance all highlighted by the bright blue paint on the block. Most of the original equipment is still intact, from the hose feeding the air cleaner to the original exhaust manifolds and factory A/C compressor. The original TH350 automatic transmission has been augmented with a shift kit and spins a 10-bolt POSI rear-end with 3.73 gears. Power steering sweetens the driving experience, and the whole show comes to a quick stop thanks to power front disc brakes. Gold Oldsmobile Super Stock wheels tie the whole car together and wear 235/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

Documented with its original owner's manual, original bill of sale, original build sheet, and several maintenance records, this Olds is a rare example of a low-mileage car that's been tasteful upgraded to a slick tribute. Very unique and an absolute blast to drive, this Cutty won't last long. Call today!