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History In 1959/60 Hurst made the coolest damn Shifters EVER...

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Tuck, Feb 18, 2009.

  1. I can rember in 1963 when i was in tech school a cat the name of Gary Schafer from Minot ND put one in his 1957 chev and I lusted for that
    managed to buy a $9 shifter and a couple used ones BUT

    many years later like 10 years I got a 4 speed with a Hurst Super Shifter for my oval track car and could row a bunch of gears before the first corner when the green droped :D Ah finally delivered from the frustrations of childhood:cool:
     
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  2. hellsgaterods
    Joined: Dec 8, 2010
    Posts: 534

    hellsgaterods
    Member

    I know this is an older post, but these shifters are so damn cool! I got mine on the internet, it was listed for only 1/2 hour when I bought it, wont say how much, but it was a steal! Just glad I have one in my collection!

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2014
  3. Terrible80
    Joined: Oct 1, 2010
    Posts: 785

    Terrible80
    Member

    upload_2017-8-30_10-24-5.jpeg Why are there cats on the box?
     
  4. Tuck
    Joined: May 14, 2001
    Posts: 5,873

    Tuck
    Tech Editor
    from MINNESOTA

    Because of the TWIN H-Pattern and the shape of the tail/shape of the shifter... "Siamese twins"
     
  5. Tuck
    Joined: May 14, 2001
    Posts: 5,873

    Tuck
    Tech Editor
    from MINNESOTA

    HURST SHIFTERS2.jpg HURST SHIFTERS.jpg

    This is my collection -
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Nailhead Jason
    Joined: Sep 18, 2012
    Posts: 4,515

    Nailhead Jason
    Member

    Those things rule!! never seen one before. I have a Sparkomatic Shifter (obviously a knock off from this Hurst) that I got 20 years ago that looks almost just like that. It was NOS in the still in the box in the trunk of a 64 Nova I bought. Looked almost just like these, save for the really cool acrylic knob, and Hurst quality. I put the sparkomatic shifter my 65 chevy pickup then my 72 chevy pickup...Ripped the whole thin apart in that truck. it just fell apart on a 1 - 2 shift. but I saved the handle and adapted it to a Hurst shifter. It will go on the T10 in my 31 sedan
     
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  7. And because cats rule?!

    And so does Tuck!
     
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  8. Beanscoot
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,636

    Beanscoot
    Member

    I believe Siamese cats were a bit of a sensation around the time the shifter was made (there was some movie about them....).

    The box from the shifter seems to indicate a black knob:

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,618

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    I recall a guy at the Turlock swap many years ago, going thru a box of misc. stuff...Dropped the HURST knob back in, muttered, "Yo-yo...All kinds of **** in there," that's when my bud grabs the box, reaches in, and retrieves the knob!
    I looked thru too, and found the Hurst Compe***ion Plus shifter, no stick. Just the perfect shifter, with the stop bolts for 'overshift prevention'!
    I gave the guy his asking price, ($5!) Gary got the knob for $2! Same day, I found another Hurst shifter (non-Comp. Plus, but with the tall stick. Tiny dots of surface rust, polished right out. That one was $6!
    Love that Hurst stuff, and Linda most of all.
     
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  10. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,445

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Here is mine. 1962 hurst golden shifter award. Given to cl*** winners with Hurst shifters[​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  11. chevy57dude
    Joined: Dec 10, 2007
    Posts: 9,649

    chevy57dude
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    ^ That would justify a plexigl*** ****** tunnel^.
     
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  12. I didn't realize that I have gold in my hands, but I went into my stash and pulled out my near new Syncro_Loc 3 speed shifter that I bought in 1967, and Compe***ion Plus 4 speed shifter that I bought in 1970. I even have the instructions for the Syncro Loc
    For the 4 spd, I only have the bracket and the box, I have somehow lost the handle and the rods. I let a complete Comp Plus shifter with a M21 that I sold, and I am still kicking my **** for that one.
    I'll unpack them, and take some pictures after dinner.
     
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  13. My shifters. 2 Comp Plus 4 speed, 1 Syncro loc for 3 spd, and 3 spd Mastershift controllers.
    The instructions are for the Syncro Loc 3 spd into my 55 Cameo.
    This was the 2nd swap into the truck, I replaced a weak 283 with a 327 and 3 spd from a Canadian Pontiac Pariseanne. The 3rd swap for the truck, was a 350hp 396 and 4spd done in 1971. Now I am replacing the 396 with a warm 454 with a TH400 with a shift kit and Starshifter controller.
    The truck likes the feeling of power. I just go along for the ride.

    Bob
     

    Attached Files:

  14. 03GMCSonoma
    Joined: Jan 15, 2011
    Posts: 317

    03GMCSonoma
    Member

    Does this ever bring back memories. I bought one for my '56 Ford Vicky hardtop. I bought it from the Western Auto store in Webster City, IA. The knob would go from the seat to the dash. I had to not grab the know or I would mash my knuckles on the dash. It seemed like there was an adjustment so you could go with an H pattern or a straight pattern. I would grab the shifter at the floor level and throw one nasty shift to 2nd. Thanks for the great pics.
     
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  15. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,128

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    Gee Moriarity, Can I come over to your garage and play...
     
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  16. JAMES WHITING
    Joined: Dec 13, 2020
    Posts: 1

    JAMES WHITING


    Tuck,

    Do you have any info/literature on this shifter? My father built a 1932 Plymouth Roadster which he dragged back in the late 50's which has this shifter in it. Looking for more info on it. Thanks.
     

    Attached Files:

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  17. I was doing some reading, and found out that Ed Almquist was one of the first people to design that type of shifter, and that he and Hurst were the co-designers of the Hurst shifter.

    I bought my first Hurst shifter in 1967, and still have it. It is the dual pattern with Synchro Loc. and I had it installed in the Cameo until I switched to the M-21 Muncie with a Compe***ion Plus.
    I loved the unit, because it made the 1 - 2 shift a couldn't miss proposition. My shifter was a later design, because it has the bolt on handle and a screw on knob.
    Bob
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2020
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  18. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,218

    bowie
    Member

    I was just wondering if anyone has ever come across a barrel knob 4spd unit? I haven’t.
     
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  19. D. GLOVER
    Joined: Apr 17, 2014
    Posts: 158

    D. GLOVER
    Member
    from pa

    Mr. Bowie- As far as Hurst shifter production, we did not produce one. Once we created the the t- handle
    knob, the barrel type from the 3 spd S/L was not popular. As you know, being a collector, the round knob
    was replaced on the 3 spd. Even when I raced my S/L in 1964, I changed the round knob to Spark-o-matic
    t-handle, later changed it back to a round knob. As I may have mentioned in my Hurst thread, the change was
    cost driven. I agree it was a cool shift lever / knob set-up.
     
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  20. gatz
    Joined: Jun 2, 2011
    Posts: 2,264

    gatz
    Member

    That's a cl***ic alright !! I remember sitting in new '63 Chevy Impalas with factory GM floor shifter, and thought "what a piece of ****........can't they do any better than that?"
    The shifter wobbled all over, and it seemed you had to hunt for the gear you wanted.

    That's how Hurst became successful; outdoing the Big 3 (or 4) with a quality product.
    Short WIKI article about Hurst Performance;

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurst_Performance

    The ad that @Little Wing posted shows the Hurst Dual Pattern on display; great pic BTW.

    Hurst Dual Pattern Shifter.jpg

    But, can someone explain the "Dual-ness" to the patterns; what exactly is happening?
    The LEFT pattern shows a smaller black line from R to 1, the RIGHT shows a typical H pattern.
    Is the LEFT pattern spring-loaded to keep the shifter in 2nd to 3rd throw?
    The display says "Converts to Either Pattern". How is this selection done?

    gatz
     
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  21. Dvoth
    Joined: Aug 20, 2018
    Posts: 5

    Dvoth

    I had one those shifters in my '57 Chevy bench seat equipped high school car. If I remember correctly it was spring loaded to the 2 - 3 side of the pattern. It was my introduction to Hurst shifters, and never forgot how well it worked. Thanks for the memories.
     
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  22. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,213

    Elcohaulic

    I had a handle like that on my Hurst Dual Gate, the one for the early hydra-matics with the key.. I never got to use it. I ended up with the Hurst Autostick I.

    The modifications were for the 61 to 64 three speed Roto hydra matic that came in the Catalina, Grand Prix and the big Oldsmobile..

    I drove a 63 Catalina with this shifter and the modifications. It had a very nice feel. It shifted swiftly and wouldn't change gears until shifted..

    Hurst dual gate 2.JPG Hurst dual gate info 2.jpg Hurst dual gate info.jpg Hurst dual gate.jpg Hurst dual gate installed.jpg 64 Grand Prix interior.. 1976.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2021
  23. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,218

    bowie
    Member

    BBA0ABAC-30D5-4135-9591-172CD77C7610.jpeg 6ADFAD57-BE38-4ECE-B6AC-BFCB62DF8D09.jpeg EB01B759-B298-4DA4-A9D3-607FB94E4C34.jpeg Mine’ s got a woody.... seriously this would be the last barrel handle design syncro-loc with stops version with the 15” handle. I would think Cal Custom was trying to emulate Hurst’s knob style , when they came out with their barrel knobs. 57D5F26C-ADD1-4365-8488-70B171EBA5A0.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2021
  24. sonoramic
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 76

    sonoramic
    Member
    from Maryland

    ... from a '63 Honest Charlie catalog (I think... its was missing the cover)
     

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  25. As I stated on the other two Hurst threads, why do I have a feeling that at some point somebody’s gonna think this thread is shifty? lol.
     
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  26. 03GMCSonoma
    Joined: Jan 15, 2011
    Posts: 317

    03GMCSonoma
    Member

    I had one just like this one in 1962 in my '56 Victoria. It is spring loaded for the 1-2 shift that makes it a straight line pattern vs the standard H pattern. I woul grab it at the botton and with a flick of the wrist you were in 2nd gear. Loved it. It seems like it had a pin or something to put it back to the H pattern.
     
  27. A few days ago, there was a multi-page discussion here on this forum regarding 3-on-the-column vs 3-on-the-floor.
    I think this featured Hurst shifter puts the cork back in that bottle for good. :rolleyes:
     
    bowie likes this.
  28. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 3,881

    SS327

    I think that is pretty shifty of you to say! :oops:
     
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  29. Ohh stop it, you’re just upset cause you had to change gears in order to keep up.
     
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  30. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,390

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    I wasn't gonna try to push my point any further on that thread but for me the fuse was lit in 1969 when I put a Hurst Syncro-Loc shifter in my first car, a 61 Impala, I was fifteen.
    Every car I had after that had a four speed in it, not one of them was a column shift either.
    Wonder why that is!
     

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