69 Hurst Olds ragtop for sale (1 of 2)

[agtw31]

i believe the asking price is 800K http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details....e&Model=442 (http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details.cfm?VID=415914&Year=1969&Make=Oldsmobile&M odel=442)

[69hurstSC]

Would look nice in the Suydam collection!

[Mopar471]

[ QUOTE ]
Would look nice in the Suydam collection!

[/ QUOTE ]

I am surprised it not there already

[RM Schimel]

I believe one of the actual 1969 Hurst/Olds convertibles was for sale several years ago for 3.5 million. My sources state that the two legitimate cars whereabouts are known today… not sure if this is one of those cars. It looks very suspect from the photos. RM

[SmallHurst]

I know one of the cars for certain (great friend of mine w/ paperwork). The other car is supposed to be in Cali rotting away under a tree. That car is supposed to be the replacement of the one that was destroyed. My understanding is that it was seen not too long ago in the same shape it has been for a number of years. Many things I have seen about the car shown in the ad are not adding up. No pictures of the engine and other things are making me ask a lot of questions. On top of that, the real car as it sit was supposed to be asking 7 figures. I am smelling a tuna boat here!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[StealthBird]

Actually, this IS the real deal. The VIN# of one of the two 1969 H/O ragtops is 344679M409421, and that matches this car's VIN. I have a pic of the original Hurst Protect-O-Plate for one of the Hurst convertibles.

The story of the $3 million dollar 69 H/O ragtop years ago is true, but since that car never sold (the price was ridiculous), it's meaningless. Heck, I can ask $12.5 million for a 1968 Chevelle SS396, but it won't sell. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

This is still a noteworthy car, but unfortunately it hasn't sold at $800K. It's been advertised in Hemmings Motor News and other locations for several months now. No takers. And the last time it was advertised, there were about 20 more photos posted, including engine photos (I have them somewhere). It had the H/O air cleaner.

The market is just too soft right now, and based on the Oldsmobiles that went through the last few auctions, I think this 69 H/O ragtop may be sitting a while longer.

[RM Schimel]

This 69 H/O convertible is not on the list of Vin numbers compiled by Kurt Karch. These are the only 1969 H/O Vin numbers that are legitimately documented & accepted ... nowhere are the last six digits containing 409421 shown. Thanx! RM

http://hurstolds.oldsgmail.com/69hovin.htm

[iluv69s]

apparently, that list is not complete..???

[StealthBird]

Yeah, I guess that list is the final word. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif That list has been referred to before, but serious Olds guys do not use it. It's incorrect in places, missing some VIN's, and a few people I've spoken to in the past year with vast H/O knowledge have said that there are some VIN's on there that are not even H/O's. It's an old, outdated site.

This car is for real. I have information on all 3 of the H/O ragtops; the two originals, the one that was destroyed, and the replacement.

[RM Schimel]

[ QUOTE ]
I have information on all 3 of the H/O ragtops; the two originals, the one that was destroyed, and the replacement.

[/ QUOTE ]


Interesting… can you provide us your information on the three 1969 H/O converts? I would be interested in seeing it. From what I understand Alan Bender currently owns this car and has never offered it for sale before. A collector Don Hartman was the owner of the other 1969 H/O ragtop several years back. I will contact the broker now that the mystery has been solved on this particular car to find out the actual asking price. Not sure if the asking price of 800K is just speculation?

Thanks RM!

[Canuck]

I have seen three 69 H/O converts over the years:

Fisrst sighting
1986 Olds Nationals,Santa Clara CA. A fellow shops up with a tired 69 H/O Convert. It has gold carpet and suction cup marks on the trunk lid. his claim is its the original West Coast car. Car was tired looking with lots of dings and faded original paint.That is the car that is now for sale and subject of the original post.

Second sighting
1987 Olds Nationals,Lansing MI. The car shown was driven out from Arizona and owned by one Jim Battle at the time. The car was displayed in a special display of significant Oldsmobiles at that event. Speculation was it was a clone.


Third sighting
1997 Olds Nationals, Lansing. Car was presented with POP showing ownwrship by Hurst Engineering, purported to be George Hurst own car. Had an oversize ashtray mounted at the bottom of the drivers door panel. George liked his Cigars.This car had a regular antennae.

If you look at early photos from the spring summer of 69,you will see a few distinguishing differences of the cars. In some photos one Ragtop had a standard antennae and the other had a power antennae on the rear quarter.The CA car now for sale does not have a power antennae and the car in Lansing in 1997 did not have a power antennae.
www.jeffmeister.com (http://www.jeffmeister.com)

Anybody else recall seeing these cars in person.

[SmallHurst]

The car seen in '97 was also driven to Denver in '01 and Lansing in '02. This is my friends car. It has the documentation.

The story of the gold carpet car jives with what I have heard. A member of this site confirmed seeing this car in the last year in the aforementioned shape, still under the tree!

[RM Schimel]

Paul…thanks great insight. I was able to speak today with a nice fella from the auto broker representing the car in California. They are not disclosing any selling price for the car but are entertaining all credible offers. They have had significant interest from serious collectors around the country that desire to do a complete concours restoration of the automobile.

One of the interested parties includes a representative from the Colorado Gateway Auto Museum. They were the purchasers of the Oldsmobile F-88 at the B-J auction several years ago. I believe that F-88 has since undergone a complete nut & bolt restoration and is currently on display.

The broker I spoke with says they are in the process of obtaining more original paperwork including a build card from the original owner Richard Pierce. They currently only have a photocopy of the POP. But Mr. Pierce apparently has great deal of other documentation on the car.

A couple of interesting facts about the car include the shifter, which was a prototype along with transmission, both of which were being tested by Hurst performance and Oldsmobile. The items are said to be original to the car. The car is missing some original components including the numbers matching carburetor.

I am glad to see such an interesting car uncovered. It is such a historically significant auto…I hope the future owner brings it back to its original glory.

RM

[67 442]

This is a pic of the CA ragtop. Notice the pearl paint and gold wheels.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/5722/fremont35.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/i/fremont35.jpg/)

[69hurstSC]

[ QUOTE ]
This is a pic of the CA ragtop. Notice the pearl paint and gold wheels.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/5722/fremont35.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/i/fremont35.jpg/)

[/ QUOTE ]
I prefer to look at the trunk ornament..thanks. LOL

[olredalert]

------My memory is going blank, but were Hurst wheels out of production at this point??? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif......Bill S

[SmallHurst]

[ QUOTE ]
------My memory is going blank, but were Hurst wheels out of production at this point??? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif......Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]
Bill,
I believe that the Hurst wheels were last made in '68, but I could be wrong. The Hurst wheels were 14" only and the '69 H/O came out with a special 15" chrome plated SSII wheel and F60-15 Polyglas.

My friend that has the '69 'vert also has a '68 H/O convertable that is wearing Hurst wheels. It is also painted the way that George Hurst wanted to have the '68 cars painted. A large metalflake gold with blackstripes and decklid. The metalflake was too large for the guns at Olds so Peruvian Silver (a Toro only color) was used on the '68 H/O. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[RM Schimel]

What a fantastic photograph of the 1969 H/O ragtop that is. Absolutely love the pearl paint and the beautiful trunk ornament. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif Thanks Rusty for providing all the great info on these cars. This particular 69-ragtop car got me thinking about the 68-69 prototype Hurst Olds cars. It would be interesting to know more about them and if they still exist somewhere today? The 1969 H/O prototype featured on the Hurst/Olds club’s website with the large trunk airfoil is especially interesting.

Thanx RM

[Canuck]

Rusty
As your friend has the car that was in lansing in 97,can he shed some insight on the car from AZ once owned by Jim Battle.

Paul

[67 442]

The gold 68 ragtop is still around. I received a letter from the owner back in the 80s and now his son owns it. For more information I would suggest contacting Al Mantei @ mantei.com for more info.

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/5880/210m.jpg (http://img413.imageshack.us/i/210m.jpg/)

[69hurstSC]

Those mounting holes for that platform Linday is standing on should be a sure giveaway for authenticity.

[StealthBird]

Here's a photo of the manual antenna car taken from above.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/449926-1969HurstOldsmobiles-NHRAdragracingevent2.jpg

[74NovaSS]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's a photo of the manual antenna car taken from above.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/449926-1969HurstOldsmobiles-NHRAdragracingevent2.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

I wonder where that platform with the shifter is today.. How cool would that be to have sitting in the corner of the garage. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Canuck]

[ QUOTE ]
I have seen three 69 H/O converts over the years:

Whith recognition to the site owners I have included the cars at the sightings

Fisrst sighting
1986 Olds Nationals,Santa Clara CA. A fellow shops up with a tired 69 H/O Convert. It has gold carpet and suction cup marks on the trunk lid. his claim is its the original West Coast car. Car was tired looking with lots of dings and faded original paint.That is the car that is now for sale and subject of the original post.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/1969%20Hurst%20Olds/T1969HORag2-2.jpg

from www.mantei.com (http://www.mantei.com)

Second sighting
1987 Olds Nationals,Lansing MI. The car shown was driven out from Arizona and owned by one Jim Battle at the time. The car was displayed in a special display of significant Oldsmobiles at that event. Speculation was it was a clone.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/1969%20Hurst%20Olds/T1969HORag1-1.jpg

www.mantei.com (http://www.mantei.com)


Third sighting
1997 Olds Nationals, Lansing. Car was presented with POP showing ownwrship by Hurst Engineering, purported to be George Hurst own car. Had an oversize ashtray mounted at the bottom of the drivers door panel. George liked his Cigars.This car had a regular antennae.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/1969%20Hurst%20Olds/hoconv.jpg

www.69olds.com (http://www.69olds.com)

If you look at early photos from the spring summer of 69,you will see a few distinguishing differences of the cars. In some photos one Ragtop had a standard antennae and the other had a power antennae on the rear quarter.The CA car now for sale does not have a power antennae and the car in Lansing in 1997 did not have a power antennae.
www.jeffmeister.com (http://www.jeffmeister.com)

Anybody else recall seeing these cars in person.

[/ QUOTE ]

Could cars #2 and 3 be the same car?. None of these have the power antennae on the rear quarter. Was that the car destroyed?


Paul

[SmallHurst]

Canuck,

I have a call in to my friend. I hope to have some of the air cleared by the end of this weekend. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[scorpio ps]

Rusty did u get my PM about Linda's vert.

[SmallHurst]

I talked with my friend and he said that his car is the one that Jim Battle had. His car is the remaining one of the first two. The one that was destroyed was the power antenna. The other car, possible one in the ad, was a late build car, had gold carpet, manual antenna, and the shifter looked like a 4-speed shifter, but was a strange variation of the dual gate. Last known condition was a ripped top and some holes in the floor pan. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Canuck]

Rusty
Thanks for that info, it resolves the misinformation I had about the car i saw in Lansing in 1987. I spoke with Jim Battle a few years ago and the only time the car was linked to Hurst Engineering was when it was shown in Lansing 1997.

Now the open question is how did the car (with power antennae) shown at the introduction an the Tavern On The Green, get destroyed. I have heard two versions, one fell off a transport truck, but I also heard that was the fate of the 1970 Indy pace car. Version two, damaged at a track accident.

Maybe its still out there somewhere.


Paul

[SUSQ]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's a photo of the manual antenna car taken from above.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/449926-1969HurstOldsmobiles-NHRAdragracingevent2.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

There's a car in the picture? Somehow I keep getting distracted. . . http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[StriperSS]

An aerial shot of Linda Vaughn........ Gives a whole new perspective. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[RM Schimel]

[ QUOTE ]
This car is for real. I have information on all 3 of the H/O ragtops; the two originals, the one that was destroyed, and the replacement.

[/ QUOTE ]

Paging StealthBird…where are you???? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif


StealthBird …said he has all the information on each of the three 1969 H/O ragtops. I thought he would provide us the information earlier but maybe he will now that were unable to definitively answer the mystery surrounding the car destroyed. I’ve heard the numerous speculative stories as well of what happened to the car. But it would be interesting to finally accurately unravel the mystery surrounding the power antenna “Tavern On The Green” debut 1969 H/O convertible.

Thanx RM


PS Do you also remember the gold striping on the original car's convertible tops?

[Canuck]

Here is a photo of a ragtop with the roof up and you can see the paited section. I so not see an antennae on the front fender of this one. Notice the hardtop is from a North Carolina dealer, this must have been the East Coast car.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/paulolds/1969%20Hurst%20Olds/69odd4.jpg

[TimG]

Great thread, I love the pictures.

[eddy]

I read this site from time to time. Good reading for sure.
I'm almost postive I saw the car in question about 10yrs ago.
It was sitting in a condo carport with flat tires, dirty, like it had been parked there for quite some time. At the time I had no idea how rare it was, but I went and knocked on the door. Talked with the older owner who claimed he bought the car back in the 70s off a used car lot if I remember correctly. He definitely knew what he had and proceeded to show me the visible suction cup marks on the trunk lid. I made him an offer on the car, which he quickly rejected stating he's already turned down up to $60K. At the time I thought he was crazy. I was amazed that he could leave such a valuable car sitting out in the open like that. Would have been the find of a lifetime for me for sure.

[agtw31]

pics of it sitting in that carport were on that website a few years back when the asking price was in the millions.
i don't know who put the website up,but they didn't sugar coat the car,they said it was rough.

[eddy]

I'd like to see that picture. Anyways, the older 80's photo of the car in that previous link shows it with a dent in the driver's qtr panel. That was there when I saw the car in Sacramento. I also remember the strange looking shifter. From when I saw the car 10yrs ago, it really wasn't that rough at all. Neglected, but except for the qtr panel dent, the rest of the car looked pretty straight, original and complete with no rust being in CA for most of it's life.

[agtw31]

back on ebay,strong hints from the consignment seller the price is in the 300's..

[Canuck]

Seller says,first time offered to public, it was offered for sale in Hemmings in the summer of 1990 for $60,000. That price seemed outragious then.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Hurs...=item4aa3676a48 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Hurst-Oldsmobile-442-Convertible-1-2-Produced-/320569043528?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=i tem4aa3676a48)

[SmallHurst]

I spoke with the company representing the car and I spoke with my buddy. A lot of the information jives and the owner of the car is the name that my buddy mentioned as being the owner of the car.

The car is being represented as a 3. It is sad that they put a quick coat of paint on the car as I am sure that anyone would love to have the proof!!! I was also told that the picture of the protect-o-plate is a photo of the original, but the card is MIA.

This very well could be the car, but it is a long way from being perfect.

The gritz in my mill was the fact that the guy was stating the money one could have after completing the car and running it across the auction block. Personally, I would love to see this car be in someones collection and have it brought out for duty at some of the nostalgia events. It has always been a show pony, it needs to stay that way. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Charley Lillard]

.....

[grantprix]

Whoa!!! Alright Charley, what's the story on this one???

[Charley Lillard]

Just picked it up for a friend. Now wanting the big shifter that Linda Vaughn stood with on the back of the car.

[John Brown]

Charley, there is some info on the HAMB you might want to check into. Dennis Kirban started a thread over there about many of the Hurst pieces he has in his collection and speculates as to some other things, including the trunk platform and the large shifter.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6776770&amp;highlight=trunk#post67767 70

The thread starts here if you want to read it all. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427115

[Charley Lillard]

I browsed thru it but didn't see mention of the trunk platform. I would also like to contact the owner of the other convert.

[John Brown]

It was in post #335.

He said; <span style="font-style: italic">Not sure if its true or not but the huge stick and knob got trashed that Linda would hold on to on the trunk lids....

I did buy the full size felt T handle it perfect sits maybe 2-3 feet tall....I member paying I think $100 for it....</span>

[Charley Lillard]

Doc Watson had one on display at MCACN. I emailed him about it but have yet to get a response. I notice the lettering on his is different than ones I see in old pics.

[SmallHurst]

My buddy with the other vert is building one of clear lexan and it will be lit up at night!!!

I think the originals are out there, just need to do some digging.

[Canuck]

Charlie
Is the car you have one of the originals,the CA car mentioned early in the post?

Paul

[Charley Lillard]

yes