With the early 1980s starting to signal the return of performance cars in Detroit, manufacturers got creative in finding unique ways and angles to use to promote cars. Oldsmobile was still producing their limited edition Hurst/Olds machines and for a couple years, they came equipped with the coolest factory equipment shifter of all time, Hurst Lightning Rods. If there is a singular speed part we’d like to see brought back on the market (especially as children of the 1980s) Lightning Rods would be it.

Designed to give the visual appeal that Lenco style shifter handles give, while also allowing the driver to manually control the automatic transmission, there was never really anything like it before or since. They were sold in limited numbers by Hurst at speed shops across the country, but their high price kept volume low. Other than those few sales, the only other place to find them is in Hurst Oldsmobiles made in 1983 and 1984.

They appear on eBay with limited frequency and always pull down huge dough. Gimmicky? Sure, but that doesn’t detract from our love of ’em!

Here’s a dude putting a set of Hurst Lightning Rods to work!