Linda Vaughn is the first lady of motorsports. She has endured through the decades as a smiling ambassador for all the good stuff that we love about cars and racing. She of course rose to prominence as “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter” during the 1960s and 1970s and through the years has been a part of nearly every major American motorsport event you can think of. From the US Nationals to the Indy 500, Linda has been there smiling, signing, and delighting her legions of fans. Her profile rose to such heights that Hurst once ran a contest where the winner would win a date wit her! The contest was aimed at the men fighting the Vietnam War at the time and we think it was pretty brilliant.
This year at the 2018 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, Linda climbed aboard the familiar platform that she rode around race racks, down drag strips, and in parades. We’re not sure if the is a restoration or a recreation but that does not matter a lot. Why? As she hung onto the shifter, bowed, and waved to the fans, Linda Vaughn brought the same levels of fun and delight to them as she did 50 years ago.
Time goes on, things change, and the world itself evolves but there are things which will be eternally cool forever. Linda Vaughn on the back of an Oldsmobile is one of those things. Thanks to Hurst for making and posting this video!
She’s our (drag racers and fans) girl. A real treasure and I’m sure she knows where the bodies are buried , , , all the bodies.
Yep that was cool. The whole Hurst bunch that come to that show have all been really nice.
I think Linda will be 75 on August 11th. Hopefully you’ll have something special for her on this site.
Class Act
I remember her at the Summernationals in the 70’s and 80’s. She was a sight for sore eyes during during those hot and humid days in NJ!
Thanks for the mammories!