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[auto_editor]

To put it simply, was there ever a 1978 El Camino SS Hurst Edition?

You can find it in various nooks and crannies of the interweb [like http://www.dankruseclassics.com/index.c ... 14&lot=209], but all of the links double back to be about this one particular car.

Now even I--a B-Body man ('89 Custom Cruiser "woody")--know that a Hurst shifter installation does not a Hurst Edition make, and that anything Hurst put its name on was made obvious via special paint/striping/badges/etc.

I can understand it if the owner of THIS car wanted a Q-Ship, so he got it painted and upholstered in the dullest colors possible. But in order for that to be plausible there would have to be others that came out in some "normal" fashion, and I can't find any, period.

The auction is March 29, so the sooner you can fill me in, the better. Unlike most in my profession I like to actually fact-check my stuff, and this seemed like the best place to do it.

Thanks in advance...

Drew

 

[clean8485]

I''ve never heard of a model like that. I'd want to see some more documentation for the vehicle to back up the Hurst claim. It's obviously had some modifications, so originality doesn't seem to be a concern. I don't know if there is any way to check with whoever owns Hurst now, to see if there's any records of a model like that.

 

[307 Regal]

I would highly doubt it. And if it's not a "Hurst edition" then it might not even be an SS. Although a factory 4-speed can be sought after and rare, it doesn't usually command a higher price compared to lets say a Hurst/Olds over a regular Cutlass. I'm just speaking from what I've seen. It's not that often you see a 4-speed Elky, (or any factory 4-speed g-body,) but even when you do the price doesn't go up that much. So if you're going to bid on this, don't go crazy on it. Not unless you can find some real documentation. In my opinion, this looks like a modded 4-speed El Camino and nothing more.

Also, this might help:
http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=28450

 

[81Regal]

There was 3 and 4 speed manual El Caminos in 78, 305 got the 4 speed and V6's got 3 speeds, all 350's that I am aware of had a TH350 automatic in them. The shifter was a different shape than the shifter shown. I have to agree with above that it was modified to suit the owners taste.

 

[ssn696]

This is a grannymobile that has been upgraded at some point in the past. The options seen in the photos hint strongly at this, but the proof is in the last photo showing the VIN. 5th digit is the engine code. 'M' code from 1978-1980 was a 3.3L 200 ci V6 that had trouble getting out of its own way. A 5.7L 350ci from the factory would have had a 5th digit of 'L' from 1978-1981. Hope they changed the front springs.

Here is some backup on these assertions: http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=27738

I'd agree with the first and second responses...if Hurst had anything to do with this, the car would have been silver with red and yellow pinstripes and emblems on the trunk lid and front fenders. Look at Forum Hurst Olds owner photo galleries.

 

[GP403]

bwhahahaa I've seen a '79 El Camino SS with a 4-spd (and yeah a Hurst shifter, all factory 3 and 4 speed cars had them) and that, isn't even an SS, let alone any special anything. Bench seat, no side paint/decals, no chin spoiler, granny gauges, lovely shade of (repainted) desert sand brown inside and out.... 3 and 4 speeds were actually more common in the El Camino, more than probably anything else, due to the whole 'city farmer' thing, people wanted that truck action. (At least I've seen more of them thru the years.)

Search google (esp. images) for your Royal Knight El Camino and El Diablo Caballero.... along with the ChooChoo customs, and of course the 78-80 SS. Those are your El Camino "special editions"

 

[81Regal]

bwhahahaa I've seen a '79 El Camino SS with a 4-spd (and yeah a Hurst shifter, all factory 3 and 4 speed cars had them)

I had a V6 3 speed, and it didn't have a hurst shifter. I think I still have it somewhere, in on of my storage sheds.

 

[86 CCC*]

The only information I can provide is is that Choo Choo Custom El Caminos were made from 1983 until 1987. No, they did not have Hurst shifters. In addition, I am pretty sure that there were no "Hurst El Caminos" in 1978 or any other year.

I would suggest you go to www.elcaminocentral.com for more definitive information.

 

[383S10]

So called real Hurst Edition El Camino..................

http://collectorcarpricetracker.com/auc ... 174682364/

 

[1bad79]

that thing is as real as a 3 dollar bill