1973 · Oldsmobile · United States
1973 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds: Colonnade, and Two Colors for the First Time
On the new Colonnade Cutlass the 4-4-2 was a W-29 appearance and handling option, and the Hurst/Olds came in white or, for the first time, black: 1,097 built.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own dek states that on the new Colonnade Cutlass the 4-4-2 was a W-29 appearance and handling option, and that the Hurst/Olds came in white or, for the first time, black, 1,097 built. This record's own overview states that the Hurst/Olds moved to the Colonnade Cutlass S hardtop coupe, body AG37, built in Lansing and converted by Hurst in Ferndale, Michigan, that the Hurst/Olds Club of America records 1,097 produced in Cameo White or Ebony Black with gold accents, and that all used a 455 four-barrel with Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, VIN code U for the air-conditioned version and V for the non-air high-performance version.1,2
This record's own overview states that the 4-4-2 itself was a W-29 handling and appearance package on Cutlass and Cutlass S coupes, and that a tertiary account says the L77 455 came only with the M-20 wide-ratio four-speed and that 1973 was the last year for a four-speed in the A-body. This record's own production notes state that no citable source gives a 4-4-2 production count for 1973, and that a widely repeated figure of 9,797 (251 Cutlass and 9,546 Cutlass S) is held as an unpublished lead because no record behind it was found.3
This record's own prices section documents base prices of $3,002.60 for the Cutlass Colonnade Hardtop Coupe (F37) and $3,107.60 for the Cutlass S Colonnade Hardtop Coupe (G37), the two bodies that hosted the W-29 package, and W29 option prices of $121.00 on the Cutlass coupe and $58.00 on the Cutlass S coupe. This record's own options section describes the Cutlass W29 package's contents as body-side and deck-lid decals, rocker-panel and wheel-opening moldings, a 4-4-2 grille, a special hood with black louvers and grille, and deck-lid numerals, available with any engine and requiring the FE2 and Y74 options.
This record's own conflicts section addresses which 455 was the standard 1973 Hurst/Olds engine: the Hurst brochure's text calls the L75 the basic engine standard on non-air-conditioned cars with the L77 available, the same brochure's equipment list calls the L77 package standard, and the club's VIN decode gives code U for standard air-conditioned cars and V for non-air high-performance cars without naming RPO codes at all. This record's own treatment shows all three without reconciling them, since the brochure contradicts itself and the club decode gives no RPO mapping. This record's own engines section also documents the L34 Rocket 350 as standard equipment on the Cutlass and Cutlass S coupes that hosted the 4-4-2 package, its ratings not legible in the scan read.
This record's own transmissions section documents the M20 four-speed wide-ratio manual with Hurst shifter at $190.00, one of two transmissions allowed with the L75 455, alongside the M38 Turbo Hydra-matic 350 at $215.00, unavailable with the L75, and the M40 Turbo Hydra-matic at $236.00, available only with the L75; the Hurst/Olds itself used an unnumbered Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 with a Hurst Dual Gate shifter. This record's own options section documents AN7 shell-type swivel bucket seats at $67.00, appearing on every Hurst/Olds body tag, and this record's own specifications section documents B. F. Goodrich Lifesaver Radial T/A GR60x14 tires and Super Stock III wheels, gold on Cameo White cars and black on Ebony Black cars.
This record's own identification section documents the Hurst/Olds VIN pattern 3G37U3M or V plus a six-digit sequence, body tag ST 73-3AG37 LAN, and a detailed drivetrain identification including block casting 396021FA painted Oldsmobile blue and a Turbo Hydra-Matic tag of OD on air-conditioned cars or OW on high-performance cars. This record's own conflicts section also addresses 1973 Hurst/Olds seat material, showing the brochure's claim of leather swivel seats against the club's body-tag decode of white (TR947) or black (TR940) vinyl, a distinction this record's own interiors section carries as codes 947 and 940. This record's own treatment states that advertising proves what was advertised while the club decode shows what the tags carry.2
Fact sheet · 1973 · United States
The numbers
1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds — On the new Colonnade Cutlass the 4-4-2 was a W-29 appearance and handling option, and the Hurst/Olds came in white or, for the first time, black: 1,097 built.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurst/Olds, all1 Hurst/Olds · 2-door Colonnade hardtop coupe (AG37) · 455 4-barrel · Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 · not stated by source | 1,097 | built, model-year | Reported |
No 4-4-2 (W-29) production count was found in a citable source.
The Hurst/Olds Club of America states that no supported colour split exists for the 1,097, and that it holds no VIN list for 1973. A widely repeated 4-4-2 figure (9,797: 251 Cutlass and 9,546 Cutlass S) is held as an unpublished lead because no citable record behind it was found.
Searched 2026-09-29 for a 4-4-2 count with a named record: musclecarclub.com's Oldsmobile 442 page (fetched 2026-09-29) repeats 9,797 without naming a source, the same figure as the enthusiast FAQ lead, so it is one lineage and not confirmation. No Oldsmobile option-installation report was found. Such a report would close this gap.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Base price, Cutlass Colonnade Hardtop Coupe (F37), host for the W29 4-4-2 package | $3,002.60 | factory list price as printed on the dealer models/equipment page, 1973 model year (page undated) |
| Base price, Cutlass S Colonnade Hardtop Coupe (G37), host for the W29 4-4-2 package and the Hurst/Olds | $3,107.60 | factory list price as printed on the dealer models/equipment page, 1973 model year (page undated) |
| W29 4-4-2 Appearance and Handling Package, on Cutlass coupe | $121 | factory option price, dealer models/equipment page (read from a low-resolution scan), 1973 model year (page undated) |
| W29 4-4-2 Appearance and Handling Package, on Cutlass S coupe | $58 | factory option price, dealer models/equipment page (read from a low-resolution scan), 1973 model year (page undated) |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| U · 455 V-8 4-barrel, Hurst/Olds (air-conditioned cars)2 455 cu in · Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel | Hurst/Olds | Not yet sourced | |
| V · 455 V-8 4-barrel, high-performance (non-air cars)2 455 cu in · Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel | Hurst/Olds without air conditioning; 4-4-2 per tertiary source | Not yet sourced | |
| L34 · Rocket 350 V-8 4-barrel 350 cu in · 4-barrel | standard on Cutlass and Cutlass S (the W29 4-4-2 hosts) | Not yet sourced | |
| L75 · Rocket 455 V-8 4-barrel, dual exhaust 455 cu in · 4-barrel | optional on Cutlass and Cutlass S at $137.00; JL2 power front disc brakes, N47 variable-ratio power steering and M20 or M40 transmission required; basic Hurst/Olds engine per the Hurst brochure text, standard on non-air-conditioned cars | Not yet sourced | |
| L77 · 455 CID L77 Performance Engine and Transmission Package (Hurst/Olds) 455 cu in · 4-barrel | Hurst/Olds; the brochure text calls it available (special camshaft, high-stall torque converter, 3.23 axle or 3.08 with air conditioning) while its equipment list calls it standard | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| M20 · 4-speed floor-shift wide-ratio manual, includes Hurst shifter (coupe) | Cutlass and Cutlass S option at $190.00 (price read from the Cutlass page of a low-resolution scan); one of the two transmissions allowed with the L75 455 | Not yet sourced |
| M38 · Turbo Hydra-matic 350 | Cutlass and Cutlass S option at $215.00; not available with the L75 455 | Not yet sourced |
| M40 · Turbo Hydra-matic (400) | Cutlass and Cutlass S option at $236.00; available only with the L75 455 | Not yet sourced |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 with Hurst Dual Gate shifter2 | Hurst/Olds | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
W-29RPO |
4-4-2 handling and appearance package3 | — | Not yet sourced |
W29RPO |
4-4-2 Appearance and Handling Package, Cutlass coupe (F37): body-side and deck-lid decal, rocker-panel and wheel-opening moldings, 4-4-2 grille, special hood with black louvers and grille, deck-lid numerals, plus FE2 and Y74; any engine; coupe only | $121 | Not yet sourced |
W29RPO |
4-4-2 Appearance and Handling Package, Cutlass S coupe (G37): body-side and deck-lid striping decal, 4-4-2 grille, special hood with black louvers and grille, deck-lid numerals, plus FE2; any engine | $58 | Not yet sourced |
L75RPO |
Rocket 455 V-8 4-bbl with dual exhaust | $137 | Not yet sourced |
N10RPO |
Dual exhaust system (coupe; included with L75) | $29.70 | Not yet sourced |
AN7RPO |
Shell-type swivel bucket seats (Cutlass S); on every Hurst/Olds body tag2 | $67 | Not yet sourced |
D55RPO |
Floor console (Hurst/Olds body tag)2 | — | Not yet sourced |
G92RPO |
3.42:1 axle (includes G80 anti-spin); other ratios G93 2.73, G90 3.08, G91 3.23 at no extra cost where listed | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Hurst/Olds dealer-listed options: Hurst Digital Tachometer, Hurst Loc/Lugs, Hurst Auto Security Alarm System, Hurst Super Air Shocks | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
11 |
Cameo White (Hurst/Olds)2 | Not yet sourced |
19 |
Ebony Black (Hurst/Olds)2 | Not yet sourced |
66 |
Tanbark (Cutlass model colour; chart does not single out the 4-4-2) | Not yet sourced |
81 |
Honey Beige (Cutlass model colour) | Not yet sourced |
24 |
Wedgewood Blue (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
26 |
Zodiac Blue (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
29 |
Eclipse Blue (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
42 |
Emerald Green (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
44 |
Crystal Green (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
46 |
Moss Gold (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
48 |
Brewster Green (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
56 |
Chamois Gold (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
60 |
Mayan Gold (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
64 |
Silver Taupe (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
68 |
Chestnut (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
74 |
Cranberry Red (all-model colour) | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
947 |
White vinyl, swivel buckets (Hurst/Olds)2 | Not yet sourced |
940 |
Black vinyl, swivel buckets (Hurst/Olds high-performance example)2 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Tires, Hurst/Olds | B. F. Goodrich Lifesaver Radial T/A GR60x14 | Hurst/Olds standard equipment (as advertised) |
| Wheels, Hurst/Olds2 | Super Stock III, gold on Cameo White cars and black on Ebony Black cars | Hurst/Olds |
| Axle ratio, Hurst/Olds with L77 package | 3.23 (3.08 on air-conditioned cars) :1 | Hurst/Olds, as advertised |
Identification
- Hurst/Olds VIN
- VIN pattern 3G37U3M (or V for non-air high-performance cars) plus six-digit sequence; body tag ST 73-3AG37 LAN; options AN7 swivel buckets and D55 console.2
- Hurst/Olds drivetrain identification
- 455 block casting 396021FA painted Oldsmobile blue; cylinder heads cast J (KA on high-performance cars); cast-iron intake 412753; exhaust manifolds X 412287 (left) and Z 402294 (right); distributor 1112197; Quadrajet stamped 7043251; Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 tag OD on air-conditioned cars, OW on high-performance cars; VIN derivative stamped on the block pad and transmission case. Converted by Hurst Performance at its Ferndale, Michigan, research building after assembly in Lansing; the club holds no VIN list for 1973.2
Where the sources disagree
Which 455 was the standard 1973 Hurst/Olds engine
- L75 is the basic engine, standard on non-air-conditioned cars only; L77 (special cam, high-stall converter) is available
- "455 CID L77 Performance Engine and Transmission Package" listed as standard equipment
- VIN code U for the standard air-conditioned cars, V for the non-air high-performance cars (no RPO codes given)2
Show all three; the builder's brochure contradicts itself and the club decode does not name RPO codes, so the engine-to-air-conditioning mapping is not reconciled.
1973 Hurst/Olds seat material
- leather swivel seats
- white (TR947) or black (TR940) vinyl interior2
Show both; advertising proves what was advertised, the club decode what the tags carry.
Identification
Read a 1973 Oldsmobile VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1973
- AMC AMX The Javelin AMX's best year. 5,707 were built, a quarter of them with the 401, alongside the Trans Am Victory decal and the Pierre Cardin interior.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The V8 Gremlin X continued, with new stripes and an available Levi's denim-look interior. No production split has been found.
- AMC Javelin The SST name dropped away and new twin 'TV-screen' taillights arrived. Javelin production reached 25,195, alongside the Trans Am Victory decal package.
- Buick Riviera Stage One (260 hp net) joined a separate GS handling package; 1,234 Stage Ones and 3,933 GS cars of 34,080.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX On the new Colonnade A-body the GS became a Century Gran Sport package; 6,637 were built, 728 with the 455 Stage 1.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The Colonnade Chevelle's only SS year: RPO Z15 on the Malibu coupe and, for the first and only time, the station wagon, with a 245 net hp 454 available.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Hatchback appears in the source body table; SS offered with any engine per the source. Enthusiast-compiled production: 369,509 cars; Super Sport 35,542.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS The new Colonnade El Camino could still be ordered with RPO Z15 SS equipment; no El Camino SS count was found.
- Dodge Challenger The six was gone: every 1973 Challenger hardtop had a V8, the 318 standard and the 340 optional, with the Rallye now sold as a package.
- Dodge Charger The Charger's best-selling year of the original era, 119,318 cars, came as the 440 lost its Magnum name and the car moved toward personal luxury.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon Renamed Dart Sport, the fastback's 340 model sold 11,315 in the 340's final year.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The 200 six became standard as the 170 was dropped; Classic Industries counts 32,350 Grabbers.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 15,320 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird The 429 4V was standard and the 460 4V optional in the sixth generation's best-selling year.
- Ford Torino The 1973 Torino kept the 1972 body behind a heavier bumper; the Gran Torino Sport fell to 51,853 SportsRoofs and 17,090 hardtops while the 351 Cobra Jet remained the performance engine.
- Mercury Cougar The last Cougar convertible and the last 351 Cobra Jet year, with production up to 60,629 as buyers shifted to the XR-7.
- Mercury Montego GT The Montego GT fastback's second and last year; a vehicle profile reports 4,464 built.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda V8 only: the 318 became standard on both Barracuda and 'Cuda, the 340 moved to the option list, and production rose for the only time after 1970.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The 340's last year in the Duster produced 15,731 cars with power front disc brakes now standard, and the Spacemaker Pak fold-down rear seat joined the line.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite For 1973 the GTX name survived only through the Road Runner's optional 440 four-barrel, which came with TorqueFlite only; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 749 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner A secondary count puts production back up to 19,056, the highest of the 1971-1974 Satellite-based years.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The Super Duty year: 4,802 Trans Ams, 252 of them SD-455s.
- Pontiac GTO A GTO option on the new Colonnade LeMans, with the 400 standard and a 455 optional; 4,806 built.
- Pontiac Grand Am Pontiac's Colonnade GT with an Endura nose and a 400 or 455; 43,137 built, the Grand Am's best year, with 1,058 four-speeds.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The Colonnade-body Grand Prix arrives, with the 400 standard and the 455 in the SJ.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Colonnade LeMans arrives, with GTO and GT options for the two-door models and a Super Duty 455 listed for the LeMans in Pontiac's dealer book.