 Here is a brochure photo of...  Here is a brochure photo of a '70 Grand Prix SSJ. |
 The Hurst and SSJ emblems...  The Hurst and SSJ emblems were strategically located for tasteful visibility. Including the lower right-hand corner of the decklid and oftentimes the front fenders, the center console was yet another location if the vehicle was equipped with a floor-shifted transmission. |
 Car Distribution Bulletin...  Car Distribution Bulletin 70-99-issued on April 28, 1970-may well be the only bulletin ever issued to dealers by Pontiac acknowledging the Hurst SSJ conversion. After a thorough check of CDB and Technical Service Bulletin sets and vintage sales literature from subsequent years, it appears that no additional SSJ-related material was issued by Pontiac. |
A Hurst Insider's Comments
While gathering information on an unrelated subject, we spoke with Don Morton-who was not only Hurst's then-general manager, but also project manager for the SSJ. Morton confirmed the paint scheme used in the SSJ package was indeed patterned after that found on Wangers' '69 Grand Prix. He added that while Hurst was excited about the SSJ package, he suspects its success was somewhat limited by the lack of support from Pontiac.
Hurst was responsible for printing and distributing sales literature and publicizing the SSJ. Morton said that unlike Oldsmobile, which heavily touted the Hurst Olds to its dealers, few SSJ-related dealer bulletins were ever issued by Pontiac. He further added that Hurst was only allowed to build each SSJ upon customer order, and that Pontiac's involvement ended once the car was shipped to Hurst from the assembly plant.
When asked about production numbers, Morton stated that Hurst's records were sketchy. He said the typical production numbers we have seen of 272 units for 1970, 157 for 1971, and roughly 60 for 1972 could be severely skewed. According to Morton, some dealers were actually foregoing the Hurst conversion by applying the SSJ paint scheme to Grand Prixs in their body shop and passing them off as SSJ models. He went on to say that some unscrupulous dealers even went as far as producing their own SSJ emblems. These bogus SSJs, however, lacked the Hurst emblems and most likely a sunroof, too.
To the best of Morton's recollection, most SSJs were white, but a fair number were black. He says Hurst did produce at least one dark-green SSJ in 1972 (see "33rd Annual POCI Convention," Feb. '06) and that a few other colors may have slipped through. Morton also suggested that because the SSJ package was copied so well, there may appear to be authentic SSJs in other colors, but that wasn't always the case. Original documentation may be the only way to verify authenticity.
Conclusion
Popularity of the SSJ Grand Prix has soared over the past several years, and a countless number of historical perspectives have surfaced in that time. But since hearing about the potentially bogus SSJs from a key figure within the company, we can only look back with skepticism at a few of the questionable cars we have seen on the market in recent years. We might suggest that if you find yourself in the midst of an SSJ Grand Prix purchase, and have any reason to doubt its validity, submit its VIN to Pontiac Historic Services (www.phs-online.com)-an authentic SSJ Grand Prix should have Hurst Performance in Southfield, Michigan, as its delivery destination.
For how few were produced, it is not uncommon to find a well-preserved or correctly restored SSJ Grand Prix at national- or regional-type gatherings. These tastefully accented cars continue to draw enthusiast attention today. With so many regular-production and Hurst-add-on items available, it is entirely possible that each SSJ Grand Prix may be one of a kind. But let there be no doubt, each one out there is a unique work of art. So take a better look at the next SSJ Grand Prix you see. You might just find it as captivating as the person who ordered it did 35 years earlier.