A 1970 Chrysler 300H convertible, used to promote Hurst aftermarket performance products, will forever be associated with racing queen Linda Vaughn. The unique vehicle is now on sale on eBay.
The vehicle is affectionately know as the “Parade Float,” according to the seller, because it crisscrossed the country in the 1970s with iconic beauty queen Linda Vaughn perched on top of a platform. During her heyday, she routinely made appearances at the Indy 500, Daytona 500 and U.S. Nationals. In 1972, the car did pace duties in Daytona, driven by celebrity James Garner.
The car, which featured a towering Hurst shifter, was immortalized in magazines. eBay currently carries more than 1,700 Hurst parts, including a lot of great shifters and shifter accessories, the product most associated with Hurst.
Vaughn was a racing enthusiast before she was selected as “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter” with appearances in extravagant showbiz-style (and sometimes provocative) outfits on behalf of Hurst performance parts. She viewed herself as a knowledgeable spokeswoman for the products, rather than a model. Vaughn, a self-described “General Motors girl,” also spent time behind the wheel, and held a Sports Car Club of America license.
Vaughn’s travels included a tour for Formula 1 with Mario Andretti, and tours with Don Garlits and Richard Petty to Vietnam during the war years, visiting military bases to raise the morale of the troops.
She considered people in the highest echelon of motorsports in that era as “a big family.” Now in her seventies, Linda still makes appearances at car shows and races as a guest of honor. She was inducted into the Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2000, and was chosen the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s (SEMA) Person of the Year in 1979.
See Chrysler 1970 Cars & Trucks for sale on eBay.
