Hurst/Olds Cutlass
56th Indy 500
May 27, 1972

Oldsmobile had paced the Indy 500 just two years earlier with the 4-4-2, but in 1972 teamed up with Hurst Performance Products to build a modified Cutlass convertible that is most often referred to simply as the "'72 Hurst/Olds".  It was the first time in Speedway history that an automotive parts manufacturer's name was included in the pace car title.  The car's 455 cubic inch V-8 produced 300hp.  The Hurst/Olds was driven by Jim Rathmann, his second time behind the wheel of the pace car.

1/24 scale by The Franklin Mint 1/64 scale by Greenlight

Only 629 Hurst/Olds Cutlasses were manufactured in 1972 — 130 convertibles and 499 hardtops.  These cars came with a slightly less powerful 455-ci engine that produced 270 horsepower.  In addition to the Cutlass, about 50 Delta 88 Royale convertibles were also used as Indy 500 parade cars.

Source: General Motors press photo
	Photos above are of the October Car of the Month, a 1972 Hurst/Olds hardtop pace car replica.  (Click photo to enlarge.)

 

Please support this website by visiting our sponsors!

All content ©1999- Indypacecars.com and may not be reprinted without permission.

INDY^®, INDYCAR^®, INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY^®, and the INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
WINGED-WHEEL logo are registered trademarks of Brickyard Trademarks, Inc.  Indypacecars.com is not
affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC or Brickyard Trademarks, Inc.