Muscle car pop quiz: What do you get when you combine the Indianapolis 500, a wrecked 1971 Dodge Challenger, Astronaut John Glenn, and one legendary performance parts icon? You get the 1972 Hurst/Olds Cutlass Pace car. And some luck S.O.B. is gonna snatch up a real one on BuyTheCar.com.
After coming off the track at the 1971 Indianapolis 500 and plowing into the photographer stand, injuring twenty-nine people, with famous astronaut John Glenn as a passenger, Dodge had a real P.R. mess on their hands. The mess was sticky, infamous,, and a real black eye on the brand, which is why the “Big Three Automakers” all decided that they wanted nothing to do with sending a pace car to the 1972 race. While everyone else saw risk, George Hurst saw opportunity. He persuaded Oldsmobile, a race promoter, to use the 1972 Hurst/Olds Cutlass as the official pace car and is the only aftermarket performance parts supplier to have a pace car program.
This story is amazing; now wait until we talk about the car he built, and you can own.
A Gentleman’s Muscle Car
Hurst Industries took shipment of just 630 Cutlass Supremes and turned them into some of the rarest collector cars available today. They started with Cutlass Supremes, all sprayed in Cameo White. Hurst then applied a series of gold vinyl striping running along the hood, trunk, and the body lines. Hurst/Olds logo on the rear quarters to make this car pop! And of course, the infamous Pace Car lettering with the Indianapolis 500 and the race date adorn the doors, letting everyone know that it’s the real deal. All Hurst/Olds Pace Cars came with the W-25 package fiberglass hood with functional hood scoops. This one rolls on the correct 14” Super Stock III wheels with Big O Euro SXP Radial Tires. Driving has never been so stylish.
Hurst Equipped Performance
Now, Mr. Hurst knew that he needed to come to the party with something big! By 1972, pretty much everything that made muscle so special was being regulated and detuned. But the hero of our story wasn’t compelled by the federal government, so he slammed the 455 W45 Rocket Engine into this Olds. This particular car has a Holley feeding this refined beast. A TH400 three-speed automatic transmission is tucked tightly behind that big block! One look at this engine photo and you’ll see a pristine example of this rare muscle car that will have you anxious to pop the hood at every show. The big block breathes through the stock exhaust and bellows through the original-style trumpet exhaust tips tucked neatly into the bumper.
Stylish and Refined
Slide into the cockpit and fasten yourself into the Strato bucket seats. This Olds is fitted with a black vinyl interior with the dash and door panels trimmed with elegant woodgrain to remind you that speed can be stylish. A 7,200 RPM tach and 120 MPH speedo are tucked behind the four-spoke steering wheel. The odometer on this car reads only 59,000 miles, 5,000 of which have been put on by the current owner since they purchased the car in 2022. A retro stereo has been added for your pleasure and enjoyment, with an 8-track player (non-functional) in the dash. The car came stock with A/C, and it’s still there, but it will need some care to be operational again. While there’s a lot to talk about in this interior, there’s one particular piece that really sets this car apart: the Dual Gate Shifter. The very item that put Hurst Industries on the map and where your right hand rests as you decide between enjoying a calm cruise or smashing the gears for fun.
Collector’s Dream Chassis
Everything on the chassis is exactly what a collector hopes to see, bone stock and original! Stock disc brakes reside up front while the traditional-style drums work the rear wheels. Since this is a gentleman’s ride, we see power assistance with brakes and steering, making stopping and steering no problem.
Collectors are always looking for two things: Rarity and originality. This Olds has both plus one hell of an origin story. With low miles, correct badging, parts, and then even more spare parts, this is the prime example of one of only 630 models produced for 1972. Rare only begins to describe this car. So get ready since she’s hitting the auction block soon and snag the deal of a lifetime while you can. Good luck and happy bidding.
