Oh G8, we hardly knew you. What was universally lauded as the Great American Sports Sedan, one of the best cars to come out of Detroit in decades, is already on its way out. Additionally it’s taking the entire Pontiac division with it. There was hardly enough time for only a few tuners to get their hands on the Holden-based G8 and before it was given the axe, among them SLP. Now Hurst is moving forward with their own take on the G8, and it gets a whole lot more than a shifter.
In fact,
Autoblog is reporting that there is quite a bit under the skin of this dying Pontiac.
As has become Hurst’s signature, each of the 52 Hurst Pontiac G8s will come in either white and gold or black and gold exteriors. They also of course get special shifters and wheels to compliment the looks, and a supercharged engine will go under the hood. Details are short at this time. Oh, there will also be 10 specially-made G6 convertibles for events and such.
Picture: Casalev-drive.com
Hurst commissioned “Doc” Watson, the same man behind the Hurst Hemi-under-glass wheelie car and Pontiac SSJ for the G8 project. This is being classified as an “Executive Hot Rod”, in the same vein as the first Hurst vehicles. Doc Watson has been working with Hurst since the 60’s, and helped developed the original Hurst Oldsmobile as well. It is nice to see the G8 getting a last bit of life breathed into it (and I’d be willing to bet Hurst got a nice little discount on them after Pontiac was given the boot). More on this as details emerge.
PRESS RELEASE:
Flint, Mich. (June 29, 2009) – Hurst Performance Vehicles, one of the most recognized and respected names in automobile history, announced that it has teamed up with newly appointed Hurst Director Emeritus and legendary performance visionary, "Doc" Watson, to build two new Special Edition Hurst/Pontiacs – a 2010 HURST/Pontiac H.O. version of the G8 and a G6 convertible. Hurst Performance President, Ron Flint, and Watson made the announcement together on Saturday at a special event held at the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan – the birthplace of GM.
Hurst Performance in Irvine, California, will hand-build only 52 examples of the 2010 HURST/Pontiac H.O. – a modern-day version of George Hurst's "Executive Hot Rod". These numbered cars will feature Hurst's iconic white/gold and black/gold colors along with forged alloy Hurst wheels, an exclusive Hurst shifter, supercharged engine, suspension mods and a specially trimmed interior.
Hurst will also commemorate Doc's famous Pace Cars and build ten HURST/Pontiac G6 convertibles to be used as parade and special event cars.
"Doc started all of this with George back in 1960 with Hurst Performance Research. His Hurst H.O. Pontiacs have stormed drag strips and main streets across the country for 50 years," said Hurst Chairman, Nate Shelton. "There could not be a better time to honor Doc and the legendary Pontiac marque."
Watson's contribution to the American performance landscape is unrivaled. During a 50-year career in the development, manufacturing and marketing of special vehicles, Watson brought to life more than 80 performance cars and racing vehicles, including the original Hurst Oldsmobile, the Hemi-Under-Glass and the 1972 Hurst/Pontiac SSJ. These new HURST/Pontiac's are yet another chapter in his illustrious career.
"If we combine the wisdom earned through the heritage of past Hurst vehicles with the vision of globally beneficial vehicles, we will not be living through the death of the Muscle Car," Watson explained. "Rather, we will see the birth of exciting, passion-filled performance vehicles – vehicles that will give new meaning to lean, mean, and environmentally clean machines. It's a 'new machine age,' and Hurst will be first once again."
Hurst Performance has once again partnered with the Woodhouse Automotive Family of Blair Nebraska as the exclusive Hurst Authorized Pontiac Dealer for sales and service of these exceptional vehicles.
Specifications, pricing and ordering information will be available August 1st on the Hurst website at www.hurst-performance.com.
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