No such thing as a free 1979 Hurst/Olds W30? Think again. 13-year-old Jimmy Peterson, of Scandia, Minnesota, landed the tri-fecta of first-car perfection. No. 1, it's a collector car, No. 2, it has the Junkyard Life seal of approval, and last but not least. It was FREE. The terms of the deal were simple. Haul the gold and white W30 H/O away and the car was his. Jimmy’s dad quickly handled the hauling. This one-of-2,499, Hurst/Olds, of 1979 vintage, landed in the Peterson’s stable of cars and made Jimmy a junkyard legend.
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| The 1979 Hurst/Olds was available in Gold/White or Gold/Black paint combos. Original H/O-specific items are as rare as finding one of these in a junkyard. Not happening these days. |
Hot Rod Bloodline
Any 13-year-old kid would score major, cool points just by owning a car. This kid is way cooler. Jimmy follows his family’s tradition of wrenching on cars. His dad owns the 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger that Jimmy’s grandpa raced in the stock classes back in the early 1970s.
“I’m told grandpa was a legend at the track,” said Jimmy. “My family is definitely into old cars.”
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| Gutted 1979 Hurst/Olds needs some light freshening. Junkyard-style “bucket” seat is a ride everyone needs to experience – once. |
Future plans
Jimmy will be ‘too cool for school’ as he joins an elite club of H/O owners. Jimmy plans to put the H/O back on the road and even hit the race track one day.
“This bad boy isn’t hitting the crusher,” said Jimmy. “I’m gonna fix it up and hot dog the 350 Rocket engine and 350 turbo tranny.”
Body work and paint are on the ‘to-do’ list. Dual exhaust, headers and more gear in the rear end are also in the plans. Some non-original parts will be used on the interior because reproduction items are few and far between. Parts from a donor, 1972 Cutlass may find a home on Jimmy’s H/O.
Congrats, and thank you for saving a valuable car. Good luck with the project H/O!
Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life
Know of a car or a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?
Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.
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| Hurst/Olds were known for the Dual/Gate shifter. Also known as a “His and Hers” or “Street/Strip” patterns. Right side was for racing, left, for cruising. |
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| Damage to the roof, from previous owner’s collision with a deck. The energy of a 13-yr-old with big dreams will help this H/O get back on the road. |
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| Complete dash and gauges framed by sporty 1979 H/O steering wheel. |
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| 1979 Hurst/Olds were available with Hurst or Fisher T-tops. 537 built with Fisher T-tops. |
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| Odometer shows 56,000 miles on this 1979 Hurst/Olds. Jimmy believes it is not 156k. |
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| Some H/Os were equipped with an AM-FM/8-track/CB radio. I’ve seen this radio before and do not believe it is original to the car. |
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| Original 1979 H/O bucket seats. I’ve driven cars with worse seats than this. |
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| 14x6, original 1979 Hurst/Olds wheels. |
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| This 1979 H/O W30 car was left for dead, but somehow it is destined for rebirth in the hands of a determined, 13-yr-old, gearhead. |
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| Olds Rocket 350 engine is ready for some attention under the gold hood of this ’79 H/O. |
Know of a car or a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?
Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.
