Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock

bill dedman · 11-20-2008, 04:39 AM

Back in 1966, Dodge built some high performance 273 4bbl engines (factory rated at 275 hp) with a radical cam, sizeable AFB on a good intake manifold, pop-up high-compression pistons, and headers, for action in what was then D Stock. They called them "D Darts" in reference to their intended class.

Unfortunately (according to the best information I can find) only about 25 of these cars were built. That is according to a guy who worked on the project at Chrysler, at that time.

I'm not sure if they were ~ever~ in the Stock Car Classification Guide, but now, they are in there ONLY as a Super Stock combination. No listing at all for Stock. Weird...

I was wondering if anyone on this BB might know how this came about. It looks to me like it could be a mistake, because if Mopar built it for Stock, and it didn't fit the requirement for 50 units that is in the rulebook, it follows that Mopar must have petitioned NHRA to allow it to race.

But, if they built it as a D Stock car, why would they ask NHRA to put it into Super Stock? That's where it is.

I asked the "braintrust" at Glendora tech, and they have NO IDEA why it's listed as a S/S legal combination, but not as a Stocker. They tried to look it up, but found nothing, not surprisingly.

Isn't that amazing??? They DO write the rules, don't they? But, they don't know...

Any old timers remember the D Darts and have any info about this conundrum?

As usual, any information will be greatly appreciated.

Bill

David Lee · 11-20-2008, 09:30 AM

Here is an interesting page about the D Darts.

http://www.seriousviewers.com/D-Dart/ddart.htm

LOng ago I was thinking about replicating one them but never could find a 66 Dart in good condition to start the project.

Jason Oldfield · 11-20-2008, 10:06 AM

Huh, who knew. I just went to that historical site and started browsing around, and I found out that I guy I know fairly well (Ted Spehar) actually owned the first one of these produced ("The Politician"). I had no idea...I just e-mailed him to get his side of the story. We'll see if he responds...

Real Racer · 11-20-2008, 10:54 AM

D Stock Dart package came with a Holley carb.
Headers were supplied in the trunk.

Ed Fernandez · 11-20-2008, 11:14 AM

The D Dart site stated that 50 cars were made.That would be interesting to see a dual quad 273 in stock.

Ed F.

MFR440 · 11-20-2008, 11:21 AM

More info here, maybe someone you can contact:

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/...gonew=1#UNREAD

SSDiv6 · 11-20-2008, 12:35 PM

Bill, you have too much time in your hands digging out skeletons...

The "D" dart is not the only car that has been built for SS applications only and not Stock.

I have a copy of the complete Chrysler data package submitted and approved by NHRA buried somewhere at home. They built 50 cars. Headers built by Jr Headers; the Holley carb has the same specs as the race Hemi carb. The intake manifold is a cast iron single plane intake as used in 273/318 marine engine applications. Solid lifter cam 0.520" lift made by Racer Brown and domed pistons. 4.88 rear end gears, stick shift only car.

vic guilmino · 11-20-2008, 01:28 PM

bob banning had one that a tried to buy back then
it ran 12.75 et
i tried to get bucky to build a 273 235 for is son
thats the combo i like

David Lee · 11-20-2008, 01:40 PM

what class would this combo be in SS?

John Kelley · 11-20-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

Bill, you have too much time in your hands digging out skeletons...

I've told him that for years......he won't listen !!! :-(

11-20-2008, 04:39 AM	#1
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock Back in 1966, Dodge built some high performance 273 4bbl engines (factory rated at 275 hp) with a radical cam, sizeable AFB on a good intake manifold, pop-up high-compression pistons, and headers, for action in what was then D Stock. They called them "D Darts" in reference to their intended class. Unfortunately (according to the best information I can find) only about 25 of these cars were built. That is according to a guy who worked on the project at Chrysler, at that time. I'm not sure if they were ~ever~ in the Stock Car Classification Guide, but now, they are in there ONLY as a Super Stock combination. No listing at all for Stock. Weird... I was wondering if anyone on this BB might know how this came about. It looks to me like it could be a mistake, because if Mopar built it for Stock, and it didn't fit the requirement for 50 units that is in the rulebook, it follows that Mopar must have petitioned NHRA to allow it to race. But, if they built it as a D Stock car, why would they ask NHRA to put it into Super Stock? That's where it is. I asked the "braintrust" at Glendora tech, and they have NO IDEA why it's listed as a S/S legal combination, but not as a Stocker. They tried to look it up, but found nothing, not surprisingly. Isn't that amazing??? They DO write the rules, don't they? But, they don't know... Any old timers remember the D Darts and have any info about this conundrum? As usual, any information will be greatly appreciated. Bill __________________ Bill

11-20-2008, 09:30 AM	#2
David Lee VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,136 Likes: 435 Liked 287 Times in 114 Posts	Re: Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock Here is an interesting page about the D Darts. http://www.seriousviewers.com/D-Dart/ddart.htm LOng ago I was thinking about replicating one them but never could find a 66 Dart in good condition to start the project.

11-20-2008, 10:06 AM	#3
Jason Oldfield Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 619 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock Huh, who knew. I just went to that historical site and started browsing around, and I found out that I guy I know fairly well (Ted Spehar) actually owned the first one of these produced ("The Politician"). I had no idea...I just e-mailed him to get his side of the story. We'll see if he responds... __________________ Jason Oldfield S/G & S/St 1838

11-20-2008, 10:54 AM	#4
Real Racer Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 99 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock D Stock Dart package came with a Holley carb. Headers were supplied in the trunk.

11-20-2008, 11:14 AM	#5
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock The D Dart site stated that 50 cars were made.That would be interesting to see a dual quad 273 in stock. Ed F. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

11-20-2008, 11:21 AM	#6
MFR440 Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 113 Likes: 6 Liked 13 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock More info here, maybe someone you can contact: http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/...gonew=1#UNREAD __________________ Meyer Family Racing (re-tired) 1965 Dodge Coronet - Steet car and Part-time N/SS 1962 Plymouth Fury S/ST #3384 - Race in Peace, Craig Meyer

11-20-2008, 12:35 PM	#7
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 2,991 Likes: 693 Liked 1,457 Times in 543 Posts	Re: Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock Bill, you have too much time in your hands digging out skeletons... The "D" dart is not the only car that has been built for SS applications only and not Stock. I have a copy of the complete Chrysler data package submitted and approved by NHRA buried somewhere at home. They built 50 cars. Headers built by Jr Headers; the Holley carb has the same specs as the race Hemi carb. The intake manifold is a cast iron single plane intake as used in 273/318 marine engine applications. Solid lifter cam 0.520" lift made by Racer Brown and domed pistons. 4.88 rear end gears, stick shift only car. Last edited by SSDiv6; 11-20-2008 at 12:38 PM.

11-20-2008, 01:28 PM	#8
vic guilmino Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: wv Posts: 882 Likes: 42 Liked 56 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock bob banning had one that a tried to buy back then it ran 12.75 et i tried to get bucky to build a 273 235 for is son thats the combo i like __________________ Vic Guilmino 1129 STK

11-20-2008, 01:40 PM	#9
David Lee VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,136 Likes: 435 Liked 287 Times in 114 Posts	Re: Whither 1966 D Darts for Stock what class would this combo be in SS?