Cover cars. Every magazine has one, making them about as commonplace as belly buttons. And while some magazine covers feature really outstanding vehicles, most have cars or trucks that would put Pentastar Power readers to sleep. Unlike the latter, we strive to showcase vehicles on the cover that are really exceptional. And this month we have not one, but two amazing Mopars on the cover; the first ever Hurst Hellcat GSS and its companion, the Hurst SuperCat GSS.

Wild and wilder are the only way to describe these two ferocious felines. The Challenger Hellcat certainly needs no introduction. With its 707 horsepower supercharged 6.2 Hemi, this mighty Mopar has been dominating headlines since it was first introduced. But the one on the cover, and the subject of this story, ups the ante in an historic way. Following in the high performance tradition that Hurst and Mr. Norm are both well known for, this Challenger is the first ever Hurst Hellcat GSS.

The Hurst Hellcat GSS Challenger delivers dazzling 21st century performance, while paying homage to its proud legacy, one that dates back to the first golden age of the muscle car.

Hurst Hellcat GSS Challenger
As soon as you start the Hellcat, the snarl from the three inch exhaust pipes let you know that this Challenger is something special. But while the 6.2 supercharged Hemi has everyone talking, the exterior is simply plain vanilla. If it wasn’t for the unique front end, the Hellcat would be nearly indistinguishable from a base SXT in appearance. The Hurst Hellcat GSS package changes all that in a big way.

To say that this is one modern muscle car that’s no shrinking violet is an understatement. From its contrasting stripes, classically inspired 20” Hurst Stunner wheels and aggressive Speedway Rear Spoiler, to the striking custom leather interior created by the artisans at Katzkin, the Hurst Hellcat GSS is the antithesis of the plain jane production version. The fact is, like all Hurst vehicles that have come before it, the Hellcat GSS has a larger than life personality and is a crowd stopper wherever it goes.

So, if you want a muscle car that blends in with the scenery, the Hurst Hellcat GSS is probably not for you. But, if you’re like most of us and prefer a purposeful car that makes even non-enthusiasts stop and stare, then the Hurst Hellcat GSS might just be what you’re looking for. If Tom Wolf was writing the Kandy Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby today, the Hurst Hellcat GSS Challenger is the car he would be writing about, because it definitely stands out in a crowd.

Above left and center: Details abound in the interior, including the plush Hurst embroidered logo carpet mats and custom Hurst Hellcat GSS sill plates that feature the iconic Hurst logo and Mr. Norm’s signature. Above right: The interior of the Hurst Hellcat GSS is, without a doubt the most luxurious interior ever fitted to a Challenger. Created by the artisans at Katzkin, this Hurst Hellcat GSS features their finest Tuscany leather accented with Pearl facings, Hurst logos on all four seat backs, perforated inserts and Viper red top stitching. The detail in the interior must be seen to be believed, and echoes the level of quality you would expect to see in a Ferrari or Porsche.

The old jingle “Is it real or is it Memorex” certainly applies to these two Challengers. The Hurst SuperCat GSS is nearly indistinguishable from the Hurst Hellcat GSS. It’s only when you’re up close and personal with these two virile, vigorous and potent Mopar muscle cars that you can spot the subtle differences.

Hurst Supercat GSS Challenger
The second Hurst GSS Challenger is the SuperCat. If the SuperCat sounds like it could be a super hero, that’s because it really is. While many of us would like a Hellcat with its 707 raging horses under the hood, the fact is that only 2500 were produced in 2015, and with orders exceeding 9,000, the inevitable law of supply and demand reared its ugly head and prices went through the roof. Although production is slated to double for 2016, that’s still less than the number of buyers who didn’t get their Hellcats in 2015, let alone those who will join the ranks of the hopeful next year.

In physics, there is an age old axiom that states “nature abhors a vacuum.” In the case of the Hellcat, with so few available, the prices have escalated to the point that they have shut out the average enthusiast. Leave it to the ever innovative Mr. Norm to come up with an affordable, readily available alternative. Back in 1968 he took it on his own to drop the 440 from the B-Body Charger R/T into the lightweight A-Body and create the brutally fast GSS Dart. Seeing the popularity of the Hellcat, coupled with prices reaching the stratosphere, he quickly realized that what many enthusiasts would like is an affordable high performance alternative that looked just like it, but at a fraction of the cost.

The heart of the Hellcat, the 707 horsepower 6.2 Supercharged Hemi. ‘Nuff said.

His solution was the Hurst SuperCat GSS, and he wasted no time bringing it to life. The Hurst SuperCat GSS debuted at the Mopar Nationals in Columbus where it was surrounded by crowds of enthusiasts who were captivated by the idea of a Challenger that looked just like a Hellcat, but one that they could actually afford.

Compared to Hellcat prices that have eliminated almost all but the one percenters, the SuperCat is the Hellcat for everyman. It’s easy on the pocket book, looks just like its super star sibling, yet costs only a fraction of the money. Kinda reminds us of the original 1968 Road Runner, the muscle car that Plymouth created to meet the budgetary reality of then young baby boomers.

Above left: Like the interior in the Hurst Hellcat GSS, the detail, quality and workmanship of the Katzkin custom leather interior in the Hurst SuperCat GSS rivals those found in many famous sports cars costing far in excess of six figures. Above center: Unique Serial Number Dash Plaques on the dash and core support include the VIN Number of the vehicle and the Hurst / Mr. Norm’s Serial Number that matches the numbers recorded in the Original Grand Spaulding Dodge Registry. Above right: Factory Hellcat hood is standard equipment on the SuperCat.

Will the real Hellcat please stand up? At rest or at speed, it’s hard to tell the Hurst SuperCat GSS from the Hurst Hellcat GSS. However, when they faced off, the answer became clear.

Regardless of whether the Challenger of your dreams is an R/T, an R/T Scat Pack or a full boat SRT-8, the Hurst SuperCat GSS package can make the 2015 or 2016 Challenger of your choice look just like a Hellcat. Plus, rather than paying whatever the market will bear for a Hellcat, to say nothing of waiting for months and months in the hope that yours will be built, you can walk right into your friendly Dodge dealer and negotiate your best deal on one of these readily available models. You can chose your favorite Challenger from inventory or order one from the factory. It’s just that simple.

The next step in the process is to have the Hurst Hellcat or SuperCat GSS package installed. The conversions are done in Southern California, so if you’ve already got your Challenger, the next step is just as easy. Just ship it to Mr. Norm’s or if you’ve got some vacation time to use or lose, simply drive it out to sunny SoCal and spend some days soaking up sun at the beach while your stock Challenger is morphed into a Hurst Hellcat GSS or SuperCat GSS. If you ordered a new Challenger, your dealer can drop ship it from the factory directly to Mr. Norm’s for the conversion. Either way, it’s an easy process, and only takes about three weeks once your stock Challenger arrives.

The Hurst SuperCat GSS features many of the same parts used on the Hurst Hellcat GSS, plus all of the factory parts that give the Hellcat its unique appearance. These include the front fascia, upper and lower grilles, spoiler and headlight bezels, along with the hood and scoops. The front end is even assembled using the same kind of plastic rivets, screws and hardware that are used on the production line on the Hellcat.

Coming or going, the Hurst Hellcat GSS evokes the essence of the ultimate Gentlemen’s Hot Rod….on steroids! In fact, the Hellcat GSS is the most powerful production based Hurst vehicle in history, and it even comes with a full factory warranty.

Above left: The Hurst Hellcat GSS and the Hurst SuperCat GSS are the epitome of no excuses American Muscle. They may not be politically correct, but for those of us who relish the thrill of spirited driving, these amazing Mopars are the perfect companions for conquering the road and the track. Above right: “The Look Without The Loot!” The Hurst SuperCat GSS is a full on doppelganger of the Hurst Hellcat GSS with one added benefit; this ones extremely affordable. The SuperCat Appearance Package includes all of the parts used on the front of a Hellcat.

The Hellcat influence can be seen in many of the components chosen for the SuperCat. These include Hurst lowering springs with a higher spring rate for a more aggressive stance and better handling. Rolling stock for the SuperCat GSS consists of 20 x 10 Hurst Stunner wheels matched with BF Goodrich 275/40ZR20 tires at all four corners, again just like those on the Hellcat GSS. Free breathing is courtesy of a Hellcat cool air intake and an available Hurst 3 inch stainless steel cat back dual exhaust system by Flowmaster. These are the many of the same specifications that make the Hellcat such a potent package, further infusing the SuperCat with a higher level of performance.

The Hellcat is undeniably one of the most exciting muscle cars ever produced. But for mere mortals, it’s nearly unobtainium. The Hurst SuperCat GSS is the affordable alternative, it’s readily available and you can own one today. If you’ve been sitting on the fence because you want a Hellcat, but are frustrated by the reality of trying to get one, the Hurst SuperCat GSS provides a great alternative, and at a fraction of the price.

Thanks to John Schultheis from Bosak Motor Sales in Merrillville, Indiana for allowing us extra time to photograph his personal Hurst Hellcat GSS Challenger for this story.

“Killer Cats: Hurst Hellcat GSS and Hurst SuperCat GSS” was originally written by Larry Weiner with pictures by Richard Truesdell and Larry Weiner and published in Pentastar Power Magazine’s Fall 2015 issue.

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