Garage Shots of
Ron Brandt’s
‘83 Hurst Olds
December 2004

Hi All
     Here’s a brief history on the car.  For it’s 15th Anniversary Edition, the ‘83 H/O came only in black with silver rocker panels. Chrome 15” wheels, a power bulge hood and rear spoiler gave the car a purposeful look. A modified version of Oldsmobile’s 307 CID V8 was installed, along with 3.73 gears and Hurst’s radical Lightning Rods shifter.  Dual exhausts with rumbling mufflers meant there was no mistaking the H/O for a garden variety Cutlass. A new style ‘Hurst/Olds’ emblem was introduced, and red and silver stripes separated the black and silver paint.  Demand for the car was very strong. Originally, 2,500 units were scheduled to be produced, but Olds had to up that number to 3001 because of the high demand. My Hurst Olds production number is 1333 of 3001. There were 10 years that H/Os were built out of 21, from 1968 thru 1988. During those 9 production runs, less than 16,000 total cars were built. Compare that to 30,000 442s built in a single model year, and you will see that the Hurst/Olds is a rare car indeed. Their unique history and combination of luxury and performance make them a topic of conversation wherever they go. For better or for worse, it’s not likely that we will see a new Hurst/Olds ever again.
     I have owned this car for 18 years and was not about to give it up for rust and rot.  This is where SpritzbyFritz came to the rescue restoring it to its original quality by using a ‘85 Cutlass for its similar body parts.  Most of the interior floor metal, inner trunk floor, both doors and trunk lid were completely replaced before Fred could start on the body and paint. And of course Fred found many more problems as he dug in deeper and he didn’t want them sneaking back after all of the work to be done on the body and paint. Many calls were made to me asking ‘how much do you love this car’?
     Now here’s some pics of the progress and the finished product!!    

Inside left under floor.

Inside right under back seat.

Inside left under floor.

Inside right under back seat.

Inside left under back seat.

The passenger mirror support inside the door broke free.

Inside left under back seat.

The passenger mirror support inside the door broke free.

This fit is nice & clean, tack welded in place mirror patch, with brace still attached which has been welded to the inner door structure.

Inside left trunk.

This fit is nice & clean, tack welded in place mirror patch,
with brace still attached which has been welded to the
inner door structure.

Inside left trunk.

Inside left trunk cut out.

Inside left trunk. New metal & sealed.

Inside left trunk cut out.

Inside left trunk. New metal & sealed.

Inside right trunk. New metal & sealed.

Drivers rear. Small piece of rot fixed.

Inside right trunk.  New metal & sealed.

Drivers rear.  Small piece of rot fixed.

Main body in primer Jun '02.

Finished view of replacement metal work on rear seat deck.

Main body in primer.

Finished view of replacement metal work on rear seat deck.

The following structural replacements were trunk lid, 23 Jul '02.

Structural replacements were trunk floor sides.

The following structural replacements were trunk lid.

Replaced trunk floor sides.

Structural replacements hood, fenders, fiberglass nose.

Structural replacements rear chassis ends & body mounts.

Replaced hood, fenders, fiberglass nose.

Structural replacements rear chassis ends & body mounts.

Structural replacements were upper & lower interior floor pans.

Structural replacments were both doors.

Structural replacements were upper & lower interior
floor pans.

Structural replacements were both doors.

Structural replacements were front lower ground trim.

Four coats of black with one coat of clear before car is masked for stripes & lettering 9 Aug '02.

Structural replacements were front lower ground trim.

Four coats of black with one coat of clear before car
is masked for stripes & lettering.

This is the Hurst Olds all masked out & ready for the factory striping package! But this isn't a decal kit 12 Aug '02.

 

 

This is the Hurst Olds all masked out & ready for the
factory striping package!  But this isn't a decal kit.

It was masked all around so it could be 'painted' on & then cleared over, no more sun fading or wax build up where a decal would normally be.

All factory decals & body stripes have been replaced by three coats of meticulous multi-step airbrushing. Red striping that wraps around entire body, has fine gold flake with pearl. Grey stripes match lower body color exactly.

It was masked all around so it could be 'painted' on &
then cleared over, no more sun fading or wax build up
where a decal would normally be.

All factory decals & body stripes have been replaced by 3
coats of meticulous multistep airbrushing. Red striping that
wraps around entire body, has fine gold flake with pearl.
Gray stripes match lower body color exactly.

Here's Fred prepping the body for clear coats 12 Aug '02.

Perfect flow of striping down the body contours 12 Aug '02.

Here's Fred prepping the body for clear coats 12 Aug '02.

Perfect flow of striping down the body contours 12 Aug '02.

Trunk lid emblem before sanding & more clear coating 12 Aug '02.

Paint process was 8 coats of Black & 3 coats of silver then 2 coats of clear

Trunk lid emblem before sanding & more clear coating
12 Aug '02.

Paint process was 8 coats of Black & 3 coats of Silver then 2
coats of Clear then 3 coats of Red with Gold flake with Pearl
creating the decals & stripes, then 4 coats of final Clear. 

Passenger side emblem & striping painted. No decals 13 Aug '02.

Drivers side emblem & striping painted.

Passenger side emblem & striping painted.
No decals.

 

 

  

 

Finished product 31 Aug ‘02.

  

 

 

 

  

 

Car got its first 1st Place Trophy in Jun '03.

 

 

Car got its first 1st Place Trophy in Jun '03.

Engine Nov '04.

Complete finished interior.

Engine Nov '04.

Complete finished interior.

     Car has also won several other trophies and the latest was at the 36th Annual Long Island Custom Car & Bike Show, in Long Island, NY., on November 27, 2004. It got the 1st Place Trophy in the L. I. Custom Car Show Special Award.
     Engine, interior, effects, car electronics, trunk, etc., work done by me. Now the car will be garaged and tucked away from October until April.  Never out in the rain or snow anymore.  I want to preserve the car and all of the hard body and paint work SpritzbyFritz has done for me.

Wow, they sure had a lot of work to do and the car turned out great!!!
That’s all folks!!!  We hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did!!!
Thanks Ron & Laurene for sending us pics of your pride and joy, so
we could share them with everyone out there!!!
 
 
 

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