The most expensive shifter I have ever seen - but a cool history: http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Very-First-Original-Prototype-Three-Speed-Hurst-Shifter-/281226672675?pt=US_Racing_Fan_Shop&hash=item417a6a7a23#ht_3245wt_1111
got to love the text in the ad I pasted it out and you could actually read it then here for all of you who have big pocket books, or just curious, "This is a very important piece of Hot Rod / Race Car History. This is also an amazing true story. Up for auction is the "Original Prototype Of The First Production Three Speed Hurst Shifter". This shifter was invented and hand made by George Hurst and Bill Campbell in the early 1960`s. George Hurst was the inventor and Bill Campbell was the machinest that brought this shifter to life. At that time in the early 60`s a man named Lou Liab was building and racing Hot Rods. Lou Liab, George Hurst and Bill Campbell were all friends. After George Hurst invented this shifter he needed financial backing to get this to production. He needed a special hot rod to install this shifter into, to show the backers. Thats where Lou Liab comes in. Lou Liab had a beautiful, souped up, one of a kind 1955 Chevy Cameo pickup truck. Hurst asked Lou Liab if they could install the shifter in his truck to show to some financial backers and that he was going to get Racing Legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits to drive the truck at Atco Raceway to show what it could do. Lou Liab agreed and on a Sunday at Atco Raceway, the rest is history. One of the backers who was at Atco was a man named Honest Charlie who had a Specialty Car Parts Catalog Business. He was the first to back Hurst. In appreciation for using his truck, Hurst gave the shifter to Lou Liab. Lou Liab still has the 1955 Chevy Cameo pickup truck and it is in pristeen condition. Lou kept this shifter all these years. Lou asked me to put the shifter on Ebay and I said that I would and asked him if he had documentation for proof of this shifter. He said that he didn`t but maybe I could get in touch with Bill Campbell and get it. I went online to serch for Bill Campbell. By luck I found a gentleman by the name of Dennis Kirban who owns a business named "Kirban Performance Products". He told me that He had done a interview with Bill Campbell recently and had his email address. I asked Dennis if he could pass Lou Liabs phone number to Bill Campbell and that they were friends from years ago. He agreed and to my surprise Bill Campbell called Lou Liab. They talked for a while and Bill invited Lou to his house. Thay talked about the old hot rod days and also took pictures and Bill signed a paper stating that the shifter was the original prototype. Along with the shifter you will recieve the paper that states "The attached photograph shows the shifter that is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the original prototype of the first production three speed Hurst shifter invented by George H. Hurst and I William G. Campbell". And it is signed by William G. Campbell. Also you will get a copy of the patent paper. I will also send pictures of Bill Campbell with the shifter, and Lou Liab with Bill Campbell. The last picture is Lou Liab and his Chevy Cameo pickup truck and the pictures before that are Lou Liab and Bill Campbell and Bill Campbell with the shifter. Winning bidder to pay with a Bank Cashiers Check Only. Have a question? Ask. I will answer you." a little on the high side but neat none the less Regards,
