Hurst made a name for itself for being the shifter of choice for Mopar buyers (Yes they were available for other company's cars, but anyone who has seen Vanishing Point knows how cool a wood grain pistol-grip shifter can be.) So now that Hurst is going for its 50th anniversary, its only fitting that its grabbed the ultimate Chrysler vehicle, the Dodge Viper, to help celebrate.

Beginning this month, Hurst will pluck 50 Vipers from the assembly line to create the special edition cars. The Hurst/Viper will feature the new Hurst HARD-DRIVE gold pistol-grip shifter, Hurst forged aluminum wheels, Katzkin leather interior, Corsa exhaust and Moton Club Sport adjustable coil-over suspension with Eibach springs. The interior features a special Katzkin charcoal leather with Hurst embroidered logos, gold thread detailing and perforated leather inserts. Hurst will sell these cars in any color as long as its gold (with trademark black or white stripes.)

The first of these Vipers will auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on January 17th. Partial proceeds will go to Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility for children for chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.

Press release after the jump.

 

Press release

To celebrate the company's 50th anniversary, Hurst Performance Vehicles announced today that it will build a limited edition series Hurst/Viper. Featuring an impressive list of performance enhancements and classic Hurst color combinations, only 50 of these unique supercars will be built beginning in December, 2008.

The Hurst/Viper will feature the new Hurst HARD-DRIVE® gold pistol-grip shifter, Hurst forged aluminum wheels, Katzkin leather interior, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, Corsa exhaust and Moton Club Sport adjustable coil-over suspension with Eibach springs. In honor of the Golden Anniversary the vehicle will be available exclusively in Hurst's legendary color combinations of Black with Gold stripes and White with Gold stripes. The interior features a special Katzkin charcoal leather with Hurst embroidered logos, gold thread detailing and perforated leather inserts.

"We are extremely proud to offer another milestone Hurst vehicle," states Nate Shelton, Chairman of Hurst Performance Vehicles. "The 50 year legacy of Hurst is matched by very few companies; it is truly something to celebrate. We are looking forward to 50 more years of delivering Hurst performance and value to our fans and enthusiasts."

Hurst Performance Vehicles has partnered with the Woodhouse Auto Family of Blair, Nebraska to build a very special Hurst/Viper for charity. HURST/Viper #01 features a unique flat-finish Hurst Gold exterior paint, black racing stripes and black-chrome Hurst wheels. This vehicle will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on January 17th, 2009 with a portion of the proceeds donated by Woodhouse to Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility for children for chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. The new camp will be built in Kansas City, Kansas.

Lance Pittack, Owner/Principal of Woodhouse Automotive Family states "We are thrilled to partner with Hurst to help Victory Junction to provide a life-changing experience for these very deserving children and their families. We are donating the profits from the sale of this very special #01 HURST/Viper to help build the newest Victory Junction camp here in the Midwest".

Joining Woodhouse and Hurst with donations for this vehicle are suppliers Moton Suspension Technology, Corsa Performance Exhaust, Hurst Shifters and Katzkin Leather. HURST/Vipers are available for individual order though Hurst Performance Vehicles and Woodhouse Dodge.