10k: Shift Register: 1983 Hurst Oldsmobile
In 1968 the first major Hurst/Oldsmobile collaboration vehicle started with a big block powered version of the Oldsmobile Cutlass 442. The final Hurst/Olds built in 1983-84 on the Oldsmobile Cutlass platform was slightly less of a performer, but it came with the wicked Lightning Rod floor mounted shifter that has confused passengers and stifled make out sessions over the years. Find this 1983 Hurst Oldsmobile
currently bidding on ebay for $9,400 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go.
The Hurst/Olds is equipped with a version of the Oldsmobile 307 cubic inch (5.0 liter) V8 that puts out
180 horsepower and 245 ft-lbs of torque. The Hurst/Olds versions
featured dual exhaust and were all mated to automatic transmissions with that crazy porcupine shifter.
The main PRND shifter operates as you would expect, but the 2nd and 3rd
allow an appropriately trained driver to select 1st or 2nd gear and ‘bang’ it into the next
gear. See this youtube video for a thorough explanation of the Lightning Rod in action.
Image from the Hurst/Olds manual courtesy of Hugh Crawford.
See another wacky shifter equipped 80s classic? tips@dailyturismo.com
How does the 3 shifters work?
MoLM- click on the link that says youtube video in the article and it will redirect you to it.
hughcrawford.com/hurst.jpg
iPhones and the commenting system don't play well together
The link above is a scan from the manual for the shifter
When you look at it you have to wonder what happens when stic 3 is back and stick 2 is forward
Hugh,
Thanks for that image – way cool! I'm going to add it to the post.
-Vince
Why do owners have to make the ebay page look like that? I got a head ache from trying to read that clutter…
Nice car, crappy ad…