Manhattan Speed Parts '1968 Hemi Dart'

[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.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Thanks, Wes.

In depth research,

Found that Pete M***** was a charter member of the Motion Performance Supercar Club with his 1968 SS/BA Hemi Dart.

These guys had 'Club' Match Race Events out at Westhampton
Dragstrip all the time.


Pete's Dart ran 11.25's when he first got it out on the Track.


It was not painted. It was 'primer gray' with a Black Hood when it was first seen on the Track in June 1968.


There was no lettering or decals on the car.


A few weeks later, it was painted Silver with a 'Mauve' tint.

[jarn05]

Paul, why do I recognize the name " Al Riplolla"? Was this someone my father would have known?

[Liteweight]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

It was not painted. It was 'primer gray' with a Black Hood when it was first seen on the Track in June 1968.


There was no lettering or decals on the car.


A few weeks later, it was painted Silver with a 'Mauve' tint.

So the damage occurred in basically a one month period, between June sometime & July 23 where that color photo was taken. They wouldn't of painted it with the dent, I'm sure.
Does Al Ripolla recall how this dent occurred?

liteweight

[Charlie A]

Does not really contribute anything to the topic but just wondering, were windshield wipers required in Super Stock and Modified Production?
Both cars have them.
And there is still a complete exhaust system hanging under the Camaro.
I remember the early Super Stockers were required to keep the exhaust and mufflers to the rear axle but Modified Production as well?

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968 Modified Production

Yes, the NHRA required the same 'stupid' rule.

Exhaust pipes were required, and replacement production-type Mufflers had to be 18" in length.

The Mufflers had to be placed in the 'stock location', or if
they were originally installed behind the Rear-Axle, they
could be re-positioned in front of the Axle.

The Exhaust Outlets had to exit equal to the center-line
of the Rear-Axle.

Here is the Motion Performance A/MP 1968 Camaro.

[71Dartman440]

From Yenko.net. Think this shot is on the same street as photo above

[Paul Ceasrine]

Excellent Post ^^^

That is Sunrise Highway in Baldwin, Long Island, New York.

[Liteweight]

Originally Posted by 71Dartman440

From Yenko.net. Think this shot is on the same street as photo above

That is a very awesome picture. Nice find. Wonder if there was any gold dust involved for the hook? doesn't look like it tho.

liteweight