FLASHBACK 1964

This was an exciting time, as the speed equipment aftermarket’s penetration of Motor City really began to take off. The classic example is Hurst, whose floor shift-conversion business exploded after Pontiac anointed the four-speed shifter as standard equipment on 1961 Super Duty Catalinas. Not coincidentally, cofounder George Hurst worked harder at self-promotion and was better at it than any of his peers.

- Dave Wallace

Frequently, the only identifiable background signage in images of 1960s racetracks and show floors is the Pennsylvania company’s signature H-pattern logo. While the Jaws of Life tool would become George’s greatest contribution to society, his most crowd-pleasing invention remains the giant handle-and-knob assembly rising above some convertible’s trunk. The accompanying Miss Hurst Performance rose well above any trophy girl on the same premises, both literally and figuratively. (George invite