The Ford Barn

Steve Plucker · 05-17-2018, 09:57 PM

Do any of you remember WAY BACK IN 1964 or there abouts when Hot Rod magazine had a contest to help name the Hurst Mystery Shifter.

I entered the contest with the name the "Starlight Shifter" and was one of the winners. I received the shifter itself (which at the time I sold for $25.00), a trophy, which I still have plus the magazine.

I wonder what that shifter is worth today???

Steve Plucker
Walla Walla, WA

scicala · 05-18-2018, 09:04 AM

I remember the Hurst Mystery shifter as the lower cost shifter they made back then. The mystery was if the shifter hand would swivel when you shifted or not.

Sal

miker98038 · 05-18-2018, 12:19 PM

I had one of those in about 1966 or so. What I remember was an ad “the mystery is how we could make it so affordable”. Or something like that. I think Sal got it right. After that it was Synchro Loks for me.

Alaska Jim · 05-18-2018, 11:31 PM

I put one in my '53 Ford 2dr sedan in 1970, when I changed it from an automatic to stick shift. I think I paid $25 for the trans and the shifter used. I never had any trouble with it and I treated it pretty rough.

streetdreams · 05-19-2018, 06:30 AM

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The mystery was which gear you would get. I used one in my '63 Fairlane I put a homebrew 289 HiPo and top loader in when in high school. Used to reach down with a wrench and engage reverse when needed. Did that till I saved up enough money for a Competition Plus.

05-17-2018, 09:57 PM	#1
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	REMEMBER WHEN...Naming the Hurst Mystery Shifter in 1964 Do any of you remember WAY BACK IN 1964 or there abouts when Hot Rod magazine had a contest to help name the Hurst Mystery Shifter. I entered the contest with the name the "Starlight Shifter" and was one of the winners. I received the shifter itself (which at the time I sold for $25.00), a trophy, which I still have plus the magazine. I wonder what that shifter is worth today??? Steve Plucker Walla Walla, WA Last edited by Steve Plucker; 05-26-2018 at 06:19 AM.

05-18-2018, 09:04 AM	#2
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,706	Re: REMEMBER WHEN...Naming the Herst Mystery Shifter in 1964 I remember the Hurst Mystery shifter as the lower cost shifter they made back then. The mystery was if the shifter hand would swivel when you shifted or not. Sal

05-18-2018, 12:19 PM	#3
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,398	Re: REMEMBER WHEN...Naming the Herst Mystery Shifter in 1964 I had one of those in about 1966 or so. What I remember was an ad “the mystery is how we could make it so affordable”. Or something like that. I think Sal got it right. After that it was Synchro Loks for me.

05-18-2018, 11:31 PM	#4
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,575	Re: REMEMBER WHEN...Naming the Herst Mystery Shifter in 1964 I put one in my '53 Ford 2dr sedan in 1970, when I changed it from an automatic to stick shift. I think I paid $25 for the trans and the shifter used. I never had any trouble with it and I treated it pretty rough.

05-19-2018, 06:30 AM	#5
streetdreams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan, USA, The Peoples Slightly Overspent Demodependancy of Michigan Posts: 638	Re: REMEMBER WHEN...Naming the Herst Mystery Shifter in 1964 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The mystery was which gear you would get. I used one in my '63 Fairlane I put a homebrew 289 HiPo and top loader in when in high school. Used to reach down with a wrench and engage reverse when needed. Did that till I saved up enough money for a Competition Plus.