My love of cars was inherited from my father. He was a mechanical engineer who always maintained and fixed our cars at home. When I was 16 he purchased for me my very first set of wheels, a rare 1948 Chrysler Royal Business Coupe. That started a long history of specialty cars both domestic and European, including Thunderbirds, GTOs, MGs, BMWs, and Mopars.
The very first time I saw a 300 Hurst was at a 1982 Kruse auction in Atlanta. It was a magical moment. The car stood out among all the others for its size, color combination, and slick, clean lines. It looked like it was in motion while it was parked.
When the car came up for sale, mine was the very first hand to rise, knowing full well that this car was way out of my financial reach at the time. When the auctioneer yelled “Sold!” I looked around to see who the lucky guy was. The auctioneer kept yelling, “You! You!” I was shaking, thinking it had to be some misunderstanding. There was no way this beauty was mine.
As it turned out, I was the only bidder and purchased the car at the opening bid. Within a few minutes I completed the paperwork, thinking the whole time this has to be a mistake that will catch up with me any minute.
Within an hour, not knowing much about the car and never having even looked under the hood, I was on my way back to Cleveland. The car rode beautifully. The comfort level and power were unmatched to anything I’ve driven before. The looks she got on the road were unbelievable, as they are today any time I’m out cruising along.
Now, 36 years later, I still love and enjoy her as much as ever. The pampering and maintenance work never stops. Summers are busy with club meetings, shows, and accumulations of trophies, including the granddaddy of all at The 2005 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.
With the exception of a newer paint job, the car is 95 percent original and has 36,000 original miles. I have a scrapbook with all the original papers, titles, and build sheet, and the rare Hurst booklet that went with only this special-edition model. This particular car is one of only 40 produced with a console and shift on the floor.
Special features on the Hurst Edition included: fiberglass power bulge hood (with functional air scoop), dual depressed rotary hood latches, fiberglass rear deck with integral rear spoiler, special two-tone paint of Spinnaker white with Byzantine Gold (a Cadillac color), and 3M accent striping.
The 440 TNT engine produced 375 hp. The car also has heavy-duty suspension with sway bar, front disc brakes, road-styled wheels with Goodyear raised-white-letter tires, a heavy-duty battery, turn signal indicator lamps, and hideaway headlamps.
The luxurious interior was taken from the Imperial lineup, and was offered only in Saddle color.
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