Original hemi dart information - Page 2

jimi · 09-15-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickford1

Bill Flynn out West Haven ,CT. had a red and silver Dart. The name of it was the Yankee Peddler. Bill has pass away but this could be the car.
Rich

the car in question here was one of castaldos darts period! the cars was in mine and my fathers keep for a few years you get to know a car when it is around that long.. this car had the entire floor for the trans tunnel cut out with a removeable piece,the body was pounded,raced hard and put away wet! it does not mean the floor was not replaced to perfection, tim hennesey restored this car and it was and still is one of the nicest restorations around. all this guy that owns the car now needs to do is connect the dots and get ahold of hennesey and ask the big question did he replace the entire floor pan with a stock one from another car or did he rebody it. when this car was restored it was the mid 80's there was dodge darts laying everywhere for under 1000.00 in near perfect shape, it would have been easy to obtain parts to do the job correctly with original sheetmetal.

Paul Ceasrine · 09-16-2009, 03:22 AM

Jimi,

Paul here. Tell your Pop, My father Vincent and I said I. Hope all is well.
I remember "Earthquake" in the barn off Route 6, behind Keane's Pub.
Absolutely the most beautiful paint job (black) on a car (Plymouth) I ever saw. (1969 or 1970). Perfect lettering too, the way the tail of the letter Q
intersected with the letter U. I remember it in SS/EA, than C/Gas with
the front I-beam (from Marin's JunkYard).
How' that for confirmation. I was only 12 at the time, but I always listened
when your Pop spoke.
OK. The first Castaldo Dart, a 4-speed was reddish-brown with a silver
center section. Raced in 68', but was wrecked at E-Town (in late 68').
I woudn't think Charlie trashed the good parts (Dana rear, S/S springs,
4-speed trans, and engine, which was built by Joe Jill of Speedwin).
Also, something from the body of the car must have been salvageable.
Lets just say, it didn't end up in the trash bin at Saw Mill Auto Wreckers in Elmsford.
Car #2. Brown, with a gold-center section. Was an automatic (SS/BA)
that Charlie ran in 69' (the car was at the Indy Nationals and ran 10.75)
and ran at Dover (69' thru 71'). Sometime in 70' or early 71' the car campaigned in Pro/Stock, and a manual-trans was added. whether it was the original 4-speed from the first Dart, a Liberty-trans or Lenco,
thta I do not know. But if the 4-speed was put in, then the floor board most likely was cut-up. If the car was restored to perfection, than I imagine all sub-floor panels were replaced. The Hennesy restored car is
a perfect gem. Hard to imagine, the last time I saw Charlie Castaldo's
second car was at Adam's Diner (in Wingdale, down the street from Dover) in 1970, with a For Sale sign on the passenger side rear window
$5500.

Paul

P.S. Ask your Pop about the time he went with my father and me out to
New York National (1969). My father bent the pushrods in our Cuda
during the first round. Your father straightened them out ( I think with
a hammer). My Pop went back out in the second round a won. The good old days when 4-cars ran at a time.

Chuck Comella · 09-16-2009, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimi

the car in question here was one of castaldos darts period! the cars was in mine and my fathers keep for a few years you get to know a car when it is around that long.. this car had the entire floor for the trans tunnel cut out with a removeable piece,the body was pounded,raced hard and put away wet! it does not mean the floor was not replaced to perfection, tim hennesey restored this car and it was and still is one of the nicest restorations around. all this guy that owns the car now needs to do is connect the dots and get ahold of hennesey and ask the big question did he replace the entire floor pan with a stock one from another car or did he rebody it. when this car was restored it was the mid 80's there was dodge darts laying everywhere for under 1000.00 in near perfect shape, it would have been easy to obtain parts to do the job correctly with original sheetmetal.

Lou offered to sell me the car sometime in the mid 80s for around 3500. Tim who lived about 20 miles from me came and looked at mine to get ideas on restoration. If anybody could replace the floor without u be able to see it Tim could do it . Say hello to Lou, George , and the rest of the guys for me Chuck

mopar68 · 09-25-2009, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Zlatkin

In May 1970 I was at Arlen Vanke's shop in Akron, Ohio and took a bunch of pictures of the cars there (his 1st. pro stock Duster, his '68 Cuda, both painted yellow & black and a couple of the '67 Hemi Belvederes SS/DA cars).

If anyone knows how to get in touch with him I would love to send him these pictures before we both die and my kids just throw them out. I know he will enjoy them.

Bobby, please, by all means do not leave us out! Please share these photos with us. We would love to see 'em too!

Regards,

M68

mopar68 · 09-25-2009, 02:01 AM

George Baptiste bought an original UNCUT '68 Hurst Hemi Barracuda from some street racer-type who ran afoul of the law and (unfortunately) cut it up into a race car back in the very early 1990s.

The car was purchased from someone in the northern New Jersey area. It saw very limited strip action (and possibly street?) and sat for years until George found out about it and purchased it sometime in the 1980s. From what I was told, the 'Cuda was so original Chrysler Corp. offered to purchase the car back but George declined.

I am only relating what I was told about 18 years ago and cannot verify this story's accuracy.

Btw, is George still around? I'd like to hear the story from him!

M68

mopar68 · 09-25-2009, 02:10 AM

Lou Centolanza ran his 'Cuda sometime in the mid-1970s up to at least 1977.

(No, it's not the Baptiste car.)

M68

Bill Rolik · 09-25-2009, 07:24 AM

I took this at Indy in 76.

Jim Kinnett 2951

Bill Rolik

1514 SS

Paul Ceasrine · 09-25-2009, 07:15 PM

Mopar 68,
You solved the mystery. Since Dover (Centolanza's home base) closed in May 76'. There was very little info on the black Cuda. Supposedly
held the NHRA SS/A record in 76', at 9.90 or so. I wonder if they were still involved with Mountain Garage, Highland Falls, NY at this time.
This car, if I'm correct, ended up in a small upstate New York (one-horse)
town. The guy who got it from Lou and Tony Centolanza had a small
car repair shop in Greene County, I think. I know, because I was at his
shop back in 1980, selling him BRM (Brush Research) cylinder honing brushes (4.25" of course, for the Hemi). He showed me the car, in his
2-car garage. Painted white (beautifully detailed). The car had a
tunnel-ram on it, and he was running it in A/MP. He had no shot at
winning in SS/A, too much handicap. Can't remember the name
off-hand, but this car must have been at Lebanon in 1980 or so. I think
he was looking to sell it for $15,000 at that time.
As soon as I get my data from my NY computer, I will post many
Super Stock Hemi photo's.

Oh, Yours to Mr. Jack Arnew.
Paul

jimi · 09-26-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopar68

Lou Centolanza ran his 'Cuda sometime in the mid-1970s up to at least 1977.

(No, it's not the Baptiste car.)

M68

ok a little lou centolanza up to date history, he was just at my shop today dropping off his 1969 plymouth barracuda g/s car it is a 383 4bbl 4spd,it is his first race car since the black hemi in the late 1970's,we have been building for the last year, i am going to finish up the front end alignment and the rear suspension settings this week and hopefully he can ge to the track within the next two weeks , i will take some pics and post them this week, the black hemi car is still an active ss/ah car , if i am correct jimmy keys has it now,i will check with lou and post that too.

68hemiss · 09-27-2009, 12:27 PM

The Centolanza Barracuda was originally purchased by a guy in ND sold to someone in NC or SC and unded up in the NE when the Centolanza's bought it. They said when they got it it had a beautiful black paint job and they went and painted it white!
The Street racing 68 cars have been some of the hardest to track. Paul, I belive you mentioned to me some time ago that The Pomona Speed Dart was purchased from some street racers in NJ? I have also heard of a Barracuda (could be the Baptiste car or another that I know of) that was black and had some purple on it called the "Grape Ape". The car was supposedly run out of Carmen Rotunda's shop (not by Carmen). Anyone know anything about this car? This would have been in the early 70's.
Another Street racing car that comes to mind is Richie Sansonia's Barracuda - I don't know if this was an original car but it was a Hemi powered street racer - could this have been the Baptiste car? Bill - Richie was pretty well known and worked at Rockville Center Dodge. I checked with Al Kirchenbaum but he said it was not an original car???? Anyone know anything about this car?

Mark J

09-25-2009, 02:01 AM	#5
mopar68 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,660 Likes: 8 Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Original hemi dart information George Baptiste bought an original UNCUT '68 Hurst Hemi Barracuda from some street racer-type who ran afoul of the law and (unfortunately) cut it up into a race car back in the very early 1990s. The car was purchased from someone in the northern New Jersey area. It saw very limited strip action (and possibly street?) and sat for years until George found out about it and purchased it sometime in the 1980s. From what I was told, the 'Cuda was so original Chrysler Corp. offered to purchase the car back but George declined. I am only relating what I was told about 18 years ago and cannot verify this story's accuracy. Btw, is George still around? I'd like to hear the story from him! M68 Last edited by mopar68; 09-25-2009 at 02:32 AM.

09-25-2009, 02:10 AM	#6
mopar68 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,660 Likes: 8 Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Original hemi dart information Lou Centolanza ran his 'Cuda sometime in the mid-1970s up to at least 1977. (No, it's not the Baptiste car.) M68

09-25-2009, 07:24 AM	#7
Bill Rolik Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Posts: 122 Likes: 1 Liked 47 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Original hemi dart information I took this at Indy in 76. Jim Kinnett 2951 Bill Rolik 1514 SS Attached Thumbnails

09-25-2009, 07:15 PM	#8
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Original hemi dart information Mopar 68, You solved the mystery. Since Dover (Centolanza's home base) closed in May 76'. There was very little info on the black Cuda. Supposedly held the NHRA SS/A record in 76', at 9.90 or so. I wonder if they were still involved with Mountain Garage, Highland Falls, NY at this time. This car, if I'm correct, ended up in a small upstate New York (one-horse) town. The guy who got it from Lou and Tony Centolanza had a small car repair shop in Greene County, I think. I know, because I was at his shop back in 1980, selling him BRM (Brush Research) cylinder honing brushes (4.25" of course, for the Hemi). He showed me the car, in his 2-car garage. Painted white (beautifully detailed). The car had a tunnel-ram on it, and he was running it in A/MP. He had no shot at winning in SS/A, too much handicap. Can't remember the name off-hand, but this car must have been at Lebanon in 1980 or so. I think he was looking to sell it for $15,000 at that time. As soon as I get my data from my NY computer, I will post many Super Stock Hemi photo's. Oh, Yours to Mr. Jack Arnew. Paul

09-27-2009, 12:27 PM	#10
68hemiss Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 167 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Original hemi dart information The Centolanza Barracuda was originally purchased by a guy in ND sold to someone in NC or SC and unded up in the NE when the Centolanza's bought it. They said when they got it it had a beautiful black paint job and they went and painted it white! The Street racing 68 cars have been some of the hardest to track. Paul, I belive you mentioned to me some time ago that The Pomona Speed Dart was purchased from some street racers in NJ? I have also heard of a Barracuda (could be the Baptiste car or another that I know of) that was black and had some purple on it called the "Grape Ape". The car was supposedly run out of Carmen Rotunda's shop (not by Carmen). Anyone know anything about this car? This would have been in the early 70's. Another Street racing car that comes to mind is Richie Sansonia's Barracuda - I don't know if this was an original car but it was a Hemi powered street racer - could this have been the Baptiste car? Bill - Richie was pretty well known and worked at Rockville Center Dodge. I checked with Al Kirchenbaum but he said it was not an original car???? Anyone know anything about this car? Mark J

09-16-2009, 03:22 AM	#2
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Original hemi dart information Jimi, Paul here. Tell your Pop, My father Vincent and I said I. Hope all is well. I remember "Earthquake" in the barn off Route 6, behind Keane's Pub. Absolutely the most beautiful paint job (black) on a car (Plymouth) I ever saw. (1969 or 1970). Perfect lettering too, the way the tail of the letter Q intersected with the letter U. I remember it in SS/EA, than C/Gas with the front I-beam (from Marin's JunkYard). How' that for confirmation. I was only 12 at the time, but I always listened when your Pop spoke. OK. The first Castaldo Dart, a 4-speed was reddish-brown with a silver center section. Raced in 68', but was wrecked at E-Town (in late 68'). I woudn't think Charlie trashed the good parts (Dana rear, S/S springs, 4-speed trans, and engine, which was built by Joe Jill of Speedwin). Also, something from the body of the car must have been salvageable. Lets just say, it didn't end up in the trash bin at Saw Mill Auto Wreckers in Elmsford. Car #2. Brown, with a gold-center section. Was an automatic (SS/BA) that Charlie ran in 69' (the car was at the Indy Nationals and ran 10.75) and ran at Dover (69' thru 71'). Sometime in 70' or early 71' the car campaigned in Pro/Stock, and a manual-trans was added. whether it was the original 4-speed from the first Dart, a Liberty-trans or Lenco, thta I do not know. But if the 4-speed was put in, then the floor board most likely was cut-up. If the car was restored to perfection, than I imagine all sub-floor panels were replaced. The Hennesy restored car is a perfect gem. Hard to imagine, the last time I saw Charlie Castaldo's second car was at Adam's Diner (in Wingdale, down the street from Dover) in 1970, with a For Sale sign on the passenger side rear window $5500. Paul P.S. Ask your Pop about the time he went with my father and me out to New York National (1969). My father bent the pushrods in our Cuda during the first round. Your father straightened them out ( I think with a hammer). My Pop went back out in the second round a won. The good old days when 4-cars ran at a time.