Hurst Olds Firebirds

[FasstChevys]

From 1990 and on, which years did these cars come out? I seem to remember they had one for 1998......black w/gold stripes..........does anyone have info on these cars?? Or know anyone who does? Any help is appreciated!

[JohnnyBs98WS6Rag]

From 1990 and on, which years did these cars come out? I seem to remember they had one for 1998......black w/gold stripes..........does anyone have info on these cars?? Or know anyone who does? Any help is appreciated!

You are most likely thinking about the '97 and '98 Hurst / Lingenfelter Firebirds (nothing Olds about them, but I understand how you could get confused w/ the long history of Hurst/Olds). There were 9 built each year, both were "rated" at 350HP (both ratings were a joke, and a really big joke on the '98 w/ LPE CNC heads/cam etc). All were black w/ gold striping and gold painted wheels. One of the '97s was a 'vert (pic'd in Pontiac Enthusiast a few years ago). I don't have the links handy but some searching should turn up some web pages w/ more detailed info. I've only seen one in person, it (the owner) was crusing through the dealer's parking lot checking out my WS6 on the day I took delivery from Courtesy Motors in Decatur, IN (9/4/98). However he took off before I got a chance to go say hi and check his car out more closely. Been looking for it ever since.

[FasstChevys]

You are most likely thinking about the '97 and '98 Hurst / Lingenfelter Firebirds (nothing Olds about them, but I understand how you could get confused w/ the long history of Hurst/Olds). There were 9 built each year, both were "rated" at 350HP (both ratings were a joke, and a really big joke on the '98 w/ LPE CNC heads/cam etc). All were black w/ gold striping and gold painted wheels. One of the '97s was a 'vert (pic'd in Pontiac Enthusiast a few years ago). I don't have the links handy but some searching should turn up some web pages w/ more detailed info. I've only seen one in person, it (the owner) was crusing through the dealer's parking lot checking out my WS6 on the day I took delivery from Courtesy Motors in Decatur, IN (9/4/98). However he took off before I got a chance to go say hi and check his car out more closely. Been looking for it ever since.

With all due respect......I really do think there were quite a few more than 9 built. Hopefully someone with a lot more knowledge than me can chime in.....for some reason, I have it in my head that one of those years, there were 42 of them built.........thanks for the input!

[FasstChevys]

You are most likely thinking about the '97 and '98 Hurst / Lingenfelter Firebirds (nothing Olds about them, but I understand how you could get confused w/ the long history of Hurst/Olds). There were 9 built each year, both were "rated" at 350HP (both ratings were a joke, and a really big joke on the '98 w/ LPE CNC heads/cam etc). All were black w/ gold striping and gold painted wheels. One of the '97s was a 'vert (pic'd in Pontiac Enthusiast a few years ago). I don't have the links handy but some searching should turn up some web pages w/ more detailed info. I've only seen one in person, it (the owner) was crusing through the dealer's parking lot checking out my WS6 on the day I took delivery from Courtesy Motors in Decatur, IN (9/4/98). However he took off before I got a chance to go say hi and check his car out more closely. Been looking for it ever since.

I just found some info on the '98 Hurst Firebird, in which you are right.....Lingenfelter did the modifications. It looks like only 10 were built in '98. I'm still unsure of how many were built any other year.

[FasstChevys]

You are most likely thinking about the '97 and '98 Hurst / Lingenfelter Firebirds (nothing Olds about them, but I understand how you could get confused w/ the long history of Hurst/Olds). There were 9 built each year, both were "rated" at 350HP (both ratings were a joke, and a really big joke on the '98 w/ LPE CNC heads/cam etc). All were black w/ gold striping and gold painted wheels. One of the '97s was a 'vert (pic'd in Pontiac Enthusiast a few years ago). I don't have the links handy but some searching should turn up some web pages w/ more detailed info. I've only seen one in person, it (the owner) was crusing through the dealer's parking lot checking out my WS6 on the day I took delivery from Courtesy Motors in Decatur, IN (9/4/98). However he took off before I got a chance to go say hi and check his car out more closely. Been looking for it ever since.

You were right again........9 were built in '97

[9T8W66]

Another note is that the Hurst Firebirds for `97 were Based off the Formula with a GFX package while the `98's were WS6 Trans Am's.

[JohnnyBs98WS6Rag]

I just found some info on the '98 Hurst Firebird, in which you are right.....Lingenfelter did the modifications. It looks like only 10 were built in '98. I'm still unsure of how many were built any other year.

Well, the number of '97s built was published in C&D as 9, which you've confirmed. I've never seen any "published" build quantity on the '98s, however a few years ago I toured LPE w/ a local ASE group and I asked that question to the "tour guide" (one of the shop's managers who was around when they built them) and he told me there were 9 '98s built. He added that they had a very difficult time getting black WS6s w/ T56s since there had been a production shortage of them (the T56s) that year. He also added that John (RIP) decided against building any more the following year because it was a legal PITA (not his words) working w/ Pontiac and the Mr. Gasket Co. to build them. Not sure where you got your info from, but I think my source could be considered the "horses' mouth". Either way, only two handfulls of '98s.

As far as 4th gens go, '97 and '98 were the only years that Hurst-badged Firebirds were "built". Several people have added "Hurst Equipped" badges to their cars that came equipped w/ the optional OEM Hurst shifter ('99+). I know in the 2nd gen years (probably the 1st gens too) you could get a OEM Hurst shifter as a factory option (my '76 455-4sp had one) and Hurst provided the t-tops for the '76 and I think maybe the '77s. However I don't think those were considered "Hurst Firebirds".

[FasstChevys]

Well, the number of '97s built was published in C&D as 9, which you've confirmed. I've never seen any "published" build quantity on the '98s, however a few years ago I toured LPE w/ a local ASE group and I asked that question to the "tour guide" (one of the shop's managers who was around when they built them) and he told me there were 9 '98s built. He added that they had a very difficult time getting black WS6s w/ T56s since there had been a production shortage of them (the T56s) that year. He also added that John (RIP) decided against building any more the following year because it was a legal PITA (not his words) working w/ Pontiac and the Mr. Gasket Co. to build them. Not sure where you got your info from, but I think my source could be considered the "horses' mouth". Either way, only two handfulls of '98s.

As far as 4th gens go, '97 and '98 were the only years that Hurst-badged Firebirds were "built". Several people have added "Hurst Equipped" badges to their cars that came equipped w/ the optional OEM Hurst shifter ('99+). I know in the 2nd gen years (probably the 1st gens too) you could get a OEM Hurst shifter as a factory option (my '76 455-4sp had one) and Hurst provided the t-tops for the '76 and I think maybe the '77s. However I don't think those were considered "Hurst Firebirds".

Very good info! Here's where I found the info on the number of 98's built:

http://www.firebirdgallery.com/Edition_Hurst_98lot1.htm

[JohnnyBs98WS6Rag]

Very good info! Here's where I found the info on the number of 98's built:

http://www.firebirdgallery.com/Edition_Hurst_98lot1.htm

Yes, I've seen that before too. Who knows for sure, one guy may have counted a prototype and the other didn't. 9, 10........ 220, 221 whatever it takes. Pretty dang rare in any case. In fact, on the '97s, I believe the "9" that C&D described were all coupes (I'll have to dig that article up to confirm), yet a year or so later the 'vert showed up in Pontiac Enthusiast with a lengthly story of how it came about. I'm not sure if the 9 included the 'vert or not, so maybe there were actually 10 '97s???



When the salesman and I were working out the paperwork on my car, I had asked if he had heard anything about a 30th anniversary model for '99 (the 30th T/A had yet to be announced to the public). He said that he hadn't heard anything official from Pontiac. I went on and described what I thought should be the 30th T/As color scheme as a tribute to the Bandit cars, black w/ gold stripes down the WS6 hood bulges. The salesman reached into his drawer and pulled out a picture of two of these '98 Hurst/LPE T/As that he took while they were sitting behind their body shop waiting on delivery to their owners. At that time, I knew about the '97s, but had not heard anything about LPE building the '98s. When I saw the pictures, I said, "YES, that's exactly what I was talking about!" Needless to say, I was thrilled that I wasn't the only one thinking along those lines. Then minutes later I saw the one cruising through the lot checking out my car (they had pulled my car off the showroom floor to let me take it for a test drive, and it was sitting outside.... w/ the top down of course). That was probably one of the most memorable days of my life!

Weeks later when the 30th was announced, I was somewhat disappointed on the blue/white color scheme, as I felt it had "worn out it's welcome" on the 25th.

[mystic-z]

A little more fuel for the fire.
I have the July 99 issue of GM High TECH (Vol 5 No 4)
in front of me.
The article is called "Hurst So Good" I already copied some of it on the camaro/SS forum, thread titled which f body do you like best.
But i'll do a little here also.will shorten it some.
Again in 98,Hurst hurst teamed up with lpe to produce 11 (orig 50 were planned). It began w/a stock 98 black t/a then added 17x9 gold tinted wheels w/hurst centercaps, custom gold graphics on the hood, embroidered floor mats,
leather seats with "Hurst by Lingenfelter " logo.carcover,numbered key chain + dash plaque.each of the 11 vehicles are identicle inside+ out.
The owners received certificates with the vin + series # of their car, + a copy was sent to pontiac historic services to authenticate the vehicles.
Hp rating: 360 hp
Power mods:
.lpe cnc ported heads, 3 angle valve job
.valve springs,titanium retainers
.port matched stock intake
. .530 lift lpe cam 212 +218 duration
. 3.5 in driveshaft
.Borla 3" adjustable stainless exh.
.K+N filter in stock ramair set up
.Hrst shifer
It also looks like a hurst line lock may even have been on there, the article doesnt say it was but shows a pic of it, + then another pic of the engine compartment, a footnote says, Note the hurst line lock on the driver side shock tower, it looks stock, but just doesnt say if they all got it or it just ended up on this car, for one reason or another.
Hope the info helps. you may be able to get back issues of this magazine. As i wrote in the last post i did on this car,If you own one of these cars, I'm a buyer, e-mail me at cleganite@webtv.net

[Y2KPewterSS]

Thats a nice lookin TA IMO