The 1974 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds Indy Pace Car: A Forgotten Muscle Legend
When people talk about legendary pace cars, the Camaro, Corvette, or Mustang usually steal the show. But in 1974, Oldsmobile got its time in the spotlight. That year, the official Indianapolis 500 pace car wasn’t from Chevy, Pontiac, or Ford—it was the Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds, a car that mixed big-block power with 1970s flash.
And if you were lucky enough to snag one with the W-30 option, you had something truly special.
A Different Kind of Pace Car
1974 Oldsmobile Hurst-Olds Indy Pace Car
The early 1970s were a rough time for muscle cars. Insurance hikes, rising gas prices, and new emissions regulations were squeezing performance from every angle. By ’74, the muscle car era was running on fumes. Yet Oldsmobile, with the help of Hurst Performance, managed to keep the fire alive with the Hurst/Olds.
When Indy needed a pace car in 1974, Olds stepped up with the Hurst/Olds. It wasn’t the first time Hurst had been at the Brickyard—Hurst shifters had already earned their reputation in drag racing circles—but this was their chance to showcase a full-blown car in front of millions.
The result was a pace car that turned heads with its bold paint, racy graphics, and unmistakable T-tops. Yes, T-tops—this was one of the earliest times the public got to see them in action. The cars that circled the Indianapolis Motor Speedway weren’t just pretty showpieces, either. With the right options, they packed plenty of muscle under the hood.
The W-30 Factor
1974 Oldsmobile Hurst-Olds Indy Pace Car-W-30
If you were an Olds fan in the muscle car era, three characters mattered more than any others: W-30. Introduced back in the 1960s as part of Oldsmobile’s performance packages, W-30 meant you weren’t just driving an Olds—you were driving the hot one.
For the 1974 Hurst/Olds pace car replicas, the W-30 option made all the difference. Under the hood sat the 455 cubic-inch V8, a true big block by any standard. Officially, it made 270 horsepower in the low-compression, net-rated system of the mid-1970s. But anyone who’s driven one will tell you it felt stronger than the numbers suggested.
Loads of torque—well over 350 lb-ft—meant it could roast tires with ease and push that heavy A-body down the road like few other cars of the era.
Pair that with the Hurst dual-gate “His and Hers” shifter, and you had a car that still felt every bit a muscle machine, even in a decade when horsepower was disappearing fast.
Styling That Screamed 1970s
Beyond the engine, the Hurst/Olds Indy pace car was unmistakable for its looks. Most came in either white with black and gold accents or black with gold striping, both colors tied to Hurst’s corporate palette. Gold pinstripes traced the car’s curves, and “Official Pace Car” graphics proudly announced its special role.
1974 Oldsmobile Hurst-Olds Indy Pace Car
The real showstopper, though, was the Hurst-Hatch T-top roof. At the time, removable roof panels were almost unheard of. These cars gave buyers a taste of open-air motoring without going full convertible, and the look became a signature for special-edition cars throughout the decade. Inside, swivel bucket seats and plenty of gold trim added to the car’s “disco muscle” vibe.
It was a car you couldn’t ignore—even parked at the curb, it looked ready to lead the Indy field.
Collectability Today
Unlike some other pace cars that were churned out in big numbers, the 1974 Hurst/Olds was built in limited supply. Roughly 1,800 examples were produced, and only a fraction of those carried the W-30 option. That makes surviving cars especially desirable to collectors today.
Values vary depending on condition and originality, but clean, well-kept examples can bring strong money at auctions. And because the 1970s cars often fly under the radar compared to late-’60s muscle, the Hurst/Olds represents something of a sweet spot for enthusiasts who want rarity and style without paying six figures.
What makes them even cooler is their connection to the Indy 500. When you drive one of these, you’re not just behind the wheel of a muscle car—you’re piloting a piece of racing history.
Why It Still Matters
The 1974 Hurst/Olds pace car might not get the same attention as a Chevelle SS or a Plymouth Road Runner, but it deserves respect. It carried the torch for performance during one of the toughest periods in muscle car history. It introduced the public to the T-top roof, kept the big-block spirit alive, and reminded everyone that Oldsmobile could build something more than sedate cruisers.
1974 Oldsmobile Hurst-Olds Indy Pace Car Dual Gate Shifter
For fans of muscle cars, the Hurst/Olds is a symbol of resilience. It showed that even when regulations and market conditions stacked the deck against performance, carmakers and aftermarket partners like Hurst found ways to keep enthusiasts excited.
Final Thoughts
The 1974 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds Indianapolis Pace Car with the W-30 option is one of those rare machines that bridges two worlds: the golden age of muscle and the regulated 1970s that followed. Bold styling, big torque, and a direct tie to one of America’s most iconic races make it a standout in any collection.
If you ever get the chance to see one in person—especially a W-30—take a moment to appreciate it. Because in the story of muscle cars, this one isn’t just a footnote. It’s proof that even in lean times, Detroit still knew how to put on a show.
