#floor shift

[worldsfastestbear]

The Hurst Dual Gate made its most visible appearance in the GTO, but Hurst always promoted aftermarket applications.  The left gate shift pattern tells us this one is configured for the old fluid coupling-equipped GM Hydra-Matic, and not the later Turbo-Hydra-Matic 400.  The key was required to access the shift-it-yourself right-hand gate.

[worldsfastestbear]

A four-speed may have been a RPO on Chevrolets since 1959, but it was still a special-order item on Pontiacs in 1961.  And the standard three-speed was on the column.  Interesting that Hurst did business with Pontiac this far back, but the division was very much into racing and performance, so as to sell cars.

[worldsfastestbear]

What seems to be a Styling Studio shot, probably for a future ad.  The windshield shape dates it to the early-to-mid-50′s, when a floor shift in a domestic car was a rare thing.  The gloved female driver is probably meant to imply that anyone could drive this, not just crazed sportscar enthusiasts.