1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) - Page 8

Alex Denysenko · 06-22-2011, 07:17 PM

GT-N = GT Norm.
First one was actually a 66 GT just to show the engineers it could be done.

Early 67 Dart GT with 273 converted to 383 in house at the dealership using custom fenderwell headers and some other aftermarket parts. I'll have to find out what else.
This is before the factory would do them. Most of you Mopar guys know that the 67 GTS was a late model year introduction. January or February I think.
Norm tells the story often of how the factory engineers told them that you could not fit a B motor into a A body car without major mods. The dealership mechanics did it with existing parts and then Norm and his brother drove the car to Hamtramk to show the factory people. The GTS was born shortly thereafter.
GT-N-1 was a 440 car. It was going to be a street Hemi but the factory nixed it for obvious reasons.

Hemi Moose · 06-26-2011, 12:31 PM

Hmm, that's funny because I don't recall Mr. Norm building any 66 Darts with a big block, but I could be wrong. I always thought he started off using the 67 model to do the engine swap, and I still never heard the terms GTN & GTN-1 ever used either, anyone else?

Paul Ceasrine · 06-26-2011, 04:42 PM

I believe the first 67' 383 GTS Darts were built in February 1967.

And the driver side (left side) special exhaust manifold was designed by
Arlon Vanke.

GarysZ24 · 06-26-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borninamopar

Thanks Bill, Jeff and Gary. I was following this thread with interest, hoping a 440 could go in my old 68, but it is not in the classification guide...Oh well. In 69 trim I don't think it would be very competitive..I have been talked out of finishing the Dakota for stock, and that leaves me with the 64 Dodge or the 65 Valiant. The 65 Valiant is looking tempting, since I believe that I read the HP has been lowered to 210 by NHRA. Really low shipping weight too. Plan on having something ready by next year. I can't bring myself to turn my 64 into a racer. Thanks for clarifying some points.

I wish you well with the '65 Valiant, and I look forward to seeing pictures of it in action!!!

GarysZ24 · 06-26-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi Moose

Here's another shot of Landy's 68 440 Dart GTS in the pits along with the back end of his 68 Hemi Dart, notice the difference in the wheel well openings of both cars.

Both cars are WAY UP THERE ON THE COOL-O-METER (per Bob Frey)...I'd be happy racing either of them!!!

Paul Ceasrine · 06-27-2011, 10:05 AM

The photo of Dick Landy's cars,
The Hemi Dart and SS/EA 68' 440 Dart are from
New York National Speedway.

July 21, 1968; The 1968 Super/Stock Magazine Nationals.

Bob Lambeck drove the SS/EA Dart when it was on the west coast.

Hit 11.60's in April 1968.

pc

Hemi Moose · 07-03-2011, 01:55 PM

Here's a Cragar mag wheel ad with Dick Landy's 1968 440 Dart GTS SS/EA.

Hemi Moose · 07-03-2011, 01:59 PM

Here's another one of Dick Landy's 1968 440 Dart GTS in the pits
or parking lot some where's.

mopar68 · 07-18-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi Moose

Here's another one of Dick Landy's 1968 440 Dart GTS in the pits
or parking lot some where's.

That shot is from the pit side at Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ during the 1968 Springnationals.

M68

Hemi Moose · 07-19-2011, 01:31 PM

Just a little conversation with Paul C on these 1968 Dart GTS 440 equipped A-bodies...

PC;
I'll try to dig up the one article I have on the special
68' 383 GTS (w/440 conversion) for SS/EA.

From what I recall, The SS/B and SS/BA Hemi A-bodies were not going to be ready (NHRA-approved) until the 68' Springnationals.

Chrysler got wind of Ford putting together (and getting NHRA approval) for the SS/E and SS/EA 68' Cobra-Jets.

Dick Maxwell got Tom Hoover to rush through '6' 440 Darts under NHRA guidelines, the 440 engines had to be installed at the factory, not
an out-sourced shop.

They were quick-fitted at the factory, and shipped over to Ted Spehar's Woodward Avenue Garage. Both Dick Landy and Charlie Allen drove to Michigan in early-January to pick up their cars.

Dick Landy re-did his car out in his California shop, and Charlie Allen ran his just the way it was set-up.

HM;
Thanks good stuff PC, if you can scan it and post it in the 68 Dart SS/EA thread that would be great... Also I can't seem to find anymore info or photo's on any of those other 68 440 Dart GTS's that they made for SS/EA or any other class. Do you have anymore info or photo's of the Rockville Center Dodge Dart GTS and some of the other 68 440 Dart's (or 68 440 Barracuda's), that is if they even made any of those for SS/EA.

06-22-2011, 07:17 PM	#71
Alex Denysenko Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Michigan City IN Posts: 633 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) GT-N = GT Norm. First one was actually a 66 GT just to show the engineers it could be done. Early 67 Dart GT with 273 converted to 383 in house at the dealership using custom fenderwell headers and some other aftermarket parts. I'll have to find out what else. This is before the factory would do them. Most of you Mopar guys know that the 67 GTS was a late model year introduction. January or February I think. Norm tells the story often of how the factory engineers told them that you could not fit a B motor into a A body car without major mods. The dealership mechanics did it with existing parts and then Norm and his brother drove the car to Hamtramk to show the factory people. The GTS was born shortly thereafter. GT-N-1 was a 440 car. It was going to be a street Hemi but the factory nixed it for obvious reasons. __________________ Alex Denysenko NHRA 3038 SS, 3305 STK - IHRA 6 SS, 330A STK Moneymaker Racing LaPorte Indiana 219-861-1214 www.moneymakerracing.net Last edited by Alex Denysenko; 06-22-2011 at 07:37 PM.

06-26-2011, 12:31 PM	#72
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) Hmm, that's funny because I don't recall Mr. Norm building any 66 Darts with a big block, but I could be wrong. I always thought he started off using the 67 model to do the engine swap, and I still never heard the terms GTN & GTN-1 ever used either, anyone else?

06-26-2011, 04:42 PM	#73
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) I believe the first 67' 383 GTS Darts were built in February 1967. And the driver side (left side) special exhaust manifold was designed by Arlon Vanke.

06-27-2011, 10:05 AM	#76
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) The photo of Dick Landy's cars, The Hemi Dart and SS/EA 68' 440 Dart are from New York National Speedway. July 21, 1968; The 1968 Super/Stock Magazine Nationals. Bob Lambeck drove the SS/EA Dart when it was on the west coast. Hit 11.60's in April 1968. pc Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 06-27-2011 at 10:11 AM.

07-03-2011, 01:55 PM	#77
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) Here's a Cragar mag wheel ad with Dick Landy's 1968 440 Dart GTS SS/EA.

07-03-2011, 01:59 PM	#78
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) Here's another one of Dick Landy's 1968 440 Dart GTS in the pits or parking lot some where's. Last edited by Hemi Moose; 07-03-2011 at 02:01 PM.

07-19-2011, 01:31 PM	#80
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) Just a little conversation with Paul C on these 1968 Dart GTS 440 equipped A-bodies... PC; I'll try to dig up the one article I have on the special 68' 383 GTS (w/440 conversion) for SS/EA. From what I recall, The SS/B and SS/BA Hemi A-bodies were not going to be ready (NHRA-approved) until the 68' Springnationals. Chrysler got wind of Ford putting together (and getting NHRA approval) for the SS/E and SS/EA 68' Cobra-Jets. Dick Maxwell got Tom Hoover to rush through '6' 440 Darts under NHRA guidelines, the 440 engines had to be installed at the factory, not an out-sourced shop. They were quick-fitted at the factory, and shipped over to Ted Spehar's Woodward Avenue Garage. Both Dick Landy and Charlie Allen drove to Michigan in early-January to pick up their cars. Dick Landy re-did his car out in his California shop, and Charlie Allen ran his just the way it was set-up. HM; Thanks good stuff PC, if you can scan it and post it in the 68 Dart SS/EA thread that would be great... Also I can't seem to find anymore info or photo's on any of those other 68 440 Dart GTS's that they made for SS/EA or any other class. Do you have anymore info or photo's of the Rockville Center Dodge Dart GTS and some of the other 68 440 Dart's (or 68 440 Barracuda's), that is if they even made any of those for SS/EA.