Manhattan Speed Parts '1968 Hemi Dart'

[Liteweight]

The very early LO23 darts, first 10, did not receive a hood when shipped from Chrysler. Mine did not receive a hood.

Paul, here's a couple questions to ask Al
1) Does he remember if this car had a hood @ time of delivery?
2) Does he remember anything about that dent on the quarter panel?
3) AND last but certainly not least, Is Pete M still with us?

I have that video of the 68 SS Nationals from New York National . which is part of the video showcasing drag racing on Long Island

http://beeonvideo.homestead.com/LongIsland.html

I've watched it several times in hopes of getting a glimpse of The Mannhattan Speed Dart....... Nothing. I woulda thought that if this car made it to Sunday eliminations there would be something, but nope. Not even pit shots of it I've found. Great video none the less tho.

tommy d. I went searching for that video again with the Mutt Bros. (ex S &K Speed) Black Hemi Dart. I can't find it again either. Dammmmnnnn!!! If anyone does, can you post it here.

liteweight

[Liteweight]

Happy New Year to all

750,000, 3/4 of a MILLION plus views. Unbelievable!!!!!. Must be a record for one thread on a forum. Thankyou to all !!!!!!

So, I came up with an idea just to see how many followers there are for THIS thread & Original Hemi Dart Info thread. I am starting a new thread to get a poll on the head count.

It'll be titled ***** POLL TEST**** Original Hemi Dart & Manhattan Speed Parts Dart.

Click on it, but do not comment on it. And ONLY VISIT IT ONCE. This is the most important to get a reasonably accurate number.

To the Administrators. I will keep this on the top of the post list to keep it current for the month of January. After that I'll let it go, so don't ban me for doing this. Thanx.
This is just a wanna know thing.

liteweight

[71Dartman440]

Liteweight,
Don't think this is the vid you are looking for but a good one just the same (think I've posted it here before?). Note the comments posted against this particlular video, one says "I was there that day and have lots of photo's of the Wildfire dart" and others posts stating location of the car and another seeking info. Although the posts are a bit dated, a lead is a lead and maybe they'll have pertinent information supportive of this thread. Happy New Year to all.

[Liteweight]

yes, I have seen that video & probably because you posted it before. I am the one on the comments seeking info on it. Location of it is unknown at this time.

liteweight

[Paul Ceasrine]

Tha Manhattan - LO23

Daryl,

Pete M***** is no longer with us.

Further information from Al Ripolla was,

After Pete got the Dart in April 1968, it was brought to his Garage on Delafield Avene in Riverdale, in the Bronx.

They pulled the Cylinder Heads, and sent them to Jack Merkel
for a complete Competition Valve-Job and CC'ing.

The block was left alone, other than a Deep Oil Pan.
Al remembers that they didn't pull the Engine, because
Pete didn't have a lot of extra cash.

Al remembers that Pete went with an Engle 'Solid-Lifter Camshaft'
and Racer Brown components, which he purchased from either Manhattan Speed Parts, or Bronx Speed Shop.

But it took Pete about 2-Months to get the Dart out and running.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Part V

The Manhattan - LO23 Dart

As per Al Ripolla,

Pete M*****did not get the Dart on the Track until early June 1968.

Pete took the Dart out to both New Yok National Speedway
and Westhampton Drag Strip in the early Summer to work
on getting the 'bugs out' of the car.

Also, since Pete was a member of the Motion Supercar Club, he
was part of the guys who hit Westhampton Dragstrip for Match Races.

Below, is a photo from Sunday ~ June 23, 1968 at Westhampton Dragstrip.

This is where Pete match-raced his SS/BA Dart against
Bill Mitchell in his Motion Performance A/MP 1968 Camaro.

Note; This photo was published in the ''December 1968'
{Speed and Supercar} magazine, but the photo was taken on
June 23, 1968.

Note; The caption 'incorrectly' stated that the Dart was a
SS/B Hemi-Dart. It was Pete M***** in his SS/BA Hemi-Dart.

Note; If you look at the roof of the Camaro, it was just lettered
as the NHRA National Record Holder for A/MP.

Note; Bill Mitchell had set the A/MP National Record only
3-Weeks earlier on Sunday ~ June 2, 1968 at Tri-City Dragway
in Saginaw, Michigan.

Note; The Camaro had set the record with a 10.98.

Documentation >
The {December 1968} 'Speed and Supercar' magazine hit
the newsstands on September 10, 1968 {2 1/2 months} ahead
of the issue month.

That December issue had photo's in the magazine that were
taken in June, July and August.

[69hurstsc]

Fun read and great work Paul!! It's always great knowing people are willing to lend their experience and help for a fellow hobbyist.

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Part V

The Manhattan - LO23 Dart

As per Al Ripolla,

Pete M*****did not get the Dart on the Track until early June 1968.

Pete took the Dart out to both New Yok National Speedway
and Westhampton Drag Strip in the early Summer to work
on getting the 'bugs out' of the car.

Also, since Pete was a member of the Motion Supercar Club, he
was part of the guys who hit Westhampton Dragstrip for Match Races.

Below, is a photo from Sunday ~ June 23, 1968 at Westhampton Dragstrip.

This is where Pete match-raced his SS/BA Dart against
Bill Mitchell in his Motion Performance A/MP 1968 Camaro.

Note; This photo was published in the ''December 1968'
{Speed and Supercar} magazine, but the photo was taken on
June 23, 1968.

Note; The caption 'incorrectly' stated that the Dart was a
SS/B Hemi-Dart. It was Pete M***** in his SS/BA Hemi-Dart.

Note; If you look at the roof of the Camaro, it was just lettered
as the NHRA National Record Holder for A/MP.

Note; Bill Mitchell had set the A/MP National Record only
3-Weeks earlier on Sunday ~ June 2, 1968 at Tri-City Dragway
in Saginaw, Michigan.

Note; The Camaro had set the record with a 10.98.

Documentation >
The {December 1968} 'Speed and Supercar' magazine hit
the newsstands on September 10, 1968 {2 1/2 months} ahead
of the issue month.

That December issue had photo's in the magazine that were
taken in June, July and August.

[Terry Witzel]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Tha Manhattan - LO23

Daryl,

Pete M***** is no longer with us.

Further information from Al Ripolla was,

After Pete got the Dart in April 1968, it was brought to his Garage on Delafield Avene in Riverdale, in the Bronx.

They pulled the Cylinder Heads, and sent them to Jack Merkel
for a complete Competition Valve-Job and CC'ing.

The block was left alone, other than a Deep Oil Pan.
Al remembers that they didn't pull the Engine, because
Pete didn't have a lot of extra cash.

Al remembers that Pete went with an Engle 'Solid-Lifter Camshaft'
and Racer Brown components, which he purchased from either Manhattan Speed Parts, or Bronx Speed Shop.

But it took Pete about 2-Months to get the Dart out and running.

Looks like Pete Marzec was from Riverdale, Ny

[fullmetaljacket]

I have pictures of the existing building where Manhattan Speed was located through out the late 60's into the 70's.
Has any more info been found on this Dart. I suspect I can find some info by sniffing around since I knew the owners and their Sons for a long time.