This behemoth is fed race gas through the stock magnesium intake supporting two correct Holley carbs. Shifting chores are handled by a Hurst competition shifter with the original reverse lock-out mechanism mounted to an A-833 18-spline transmission, which in turn easily spins the rear tires via the 4.88:1-cogged Dana 60 rear. When it came time to cover the freshened sheetmetal/fiberglass combination, Paul wanted to stand out, so he had GOS Motorsport Graphics design something noticeable, which was applied by A Perfect Image and Soft Touch Studios-both in Florida-in shades of House of Kolor paint. The spartan interior is also the same as it left Hurst in 1968, and for rolling stock, Paul chose Bogart Racing Wheels of Santee, California, then wrapped them in Hoosier rubber. Finally, Paul replaced the thin Corning racing glass with safety glass so he could drive the car over bumps.
Bumps? Well, unlike most of its peers, this '68 Hurst hauler is street-tagged and gets some cruise time in. Given both the value and the viciousness of this beast, you gotta admit it takes some courage to even pull it out of the driveway. I had the privilege of going for a short blast with Paul and can report that he indeed drives this thing like it should be driven; I had goose bumps and a smile, and we got the pictures. Even the police officers who showed up, Deputies Bamford and Gordon of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, got a kick out of it (it's OK, Paul called them for the photo shoot). Deep Purple's big hit was "Smoke on the Water"; despite those big stickies, Paul's machine can smoke 'em Anyplace.
1968 Hurst Built SS/B Barracuda
- Owner: Paul Emiro
- Engine: 426 Cross-Ram Hemi
- Built By: Don Scinto Automotive, (203) 377-7676
- Graphics: GOS Motorsports Graphics
- Applied by: A Perfect Image, Tampa, Florida and Soft Touch Studios, Holiday, Florida
- Wheels: Bogart
- Tires (lots of 'em): Hoosier
- Hardware: Milodon
- Bits 'n' Pieces: Kramer Automotive, Herman, Pennsylvania
- Ignition Gear: Jacobs Electronics