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

[rhinodaert]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Kyle,

Rule #1 - Don't ever try to figure out what the Chrysler Performance Technicians were thinking.

Rule #2 - Don't ever forget Rule #1.

Rule #3 - Always refer to Rule #1.
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That said,

Does the Dart GTS have both front and rear 'torque boxes'.

The 4-Speed 383 cars had both front and rear.

The Automatic 383 cars only had rears, but sometimes both.

Does the Dart GTS have any idications of a Console.

These cars were GTS 383's with console shifted automatics.

All '6' 1968 cars were converted to 440's with B&M Automatic
Transmissions.

Investigation #2

You might have to check 1968, 1969 and 1970 Race Results at the
following California Tracks
* Carlsbad
* Irwindale
* Freemont
* Bakersfield
* Lions
* Fontana
* Riverside
* OCIR
* San Fernando

Charlie Allen was at the March 1968 'Hot Rod Magazine Championships at Riverside Raceway with that Dart.

The 1968 Dart '440 GTS' was classed in;
* SS/EA in 1968
* SS/GA in 1969
* SS/FA in 1970.

Information, back in 1968 "no' Header Company made an under-chassis
set for the 440 A-Body.

Only fenderwell units (Hooker Headers).

Some of these are not quite correct as I have documented a couple hundred Dart GTS's from 68 and 69. Very few big block Darts had both front and rear torque boxes, there is no rhyme or reason for that as far as I can tell. There are also very few automatic Darts that had front boxes. Iggy's Muffler in Chicago did indeed make under chassis headers, as I had a set in my Mr. Norms 68 383 Dart, though they were not known nationally at the time and no "national" header company made any.

Rhino

[Paul Ceasrine]

Rhinoman,

Yes I know,,,,,that list is 'fragmented'.

I had a 1967 Barracuda 273/235 HP 'Commando' convertible, with an
automatic.

It had the 'front' Torque Boxes, but not on the rear.........

Back in 1967, I think it was Belanger Headers who could custom make
a set of Headers for the 383 A-Body, but they were very expensive.

[Kyle Kohr]

We started working on the Charlie Allen dart again today and found something very interesting. As we were cutting out the after market wheel tubs we found a bolt that ran through the frame rail that we knew did not belong. We did not know what it was for and looked at our copy of american rodding from 1969 which has an article on this car. It turns out Charlie relocated the shocked to the front of the rear and mounted them vertical to reduce wheel hop. I feel it just helps to prove that this is really his dart because who does that kind of stuff.

Here are a few pictures

[Liteweight]

great to see your still on that project Kyle. You've got a very special car there. glad to see someone is returning one of these back to it's formal glory. Were you ever able to get in touch with Charlie Allen? Are you restoring it as Charlie's? Including paint?

liteweight

[Paul Ceasrine]

* Mickey Thompson Wheels
* Super Scavenger Headers {by Mickey Thompson}
* Crower Cams

[Kyle Kohr]

Originally Posted by Liteweight

great to see your still on that project Kyle. You've got a very special car there. glad to see someone is returning one of these back to it's formal glory. Were you ever able to get in touch with Charlie Allen? Are you restoring it as Charlie's? Including paint?

liteweight

We were never able to get in touch with Charlie Allen. We are restoring it as he raced it including the paint. We want to be able to race the car so we will be making updates, keeping it more of a stock eliminator car now-a-days instead of super stock. I would love to be able to get in touch with him though.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Kyle

Super Scavenger Headers ~ {by Mickey Thompson}

[Liteweight]

Kyle
Is your car coded as a H engine or special ordered M code?
What does it have for torque boxes under it? Front & rear or just rear.?
I noticed in one of your pics that the PS inner shock tower has been modified. pretty good tell tell sign there was a Hemi in it at one time.
What engine mounts are on the K member? wedge, Hemi or are they cut off for a engine plate?

liteweight

[Kyle Kohr]

Originally Posted by Liteweight

Kyle
Is your car coded as a H engine or special ordered M code?
What does it have for torque boxes under it? Front & rear or just rear.?
I noticed in one of your pics that the PS inner shock tower has been modified. pretty good tell tell sign there was a Hemi in it at one time.
What engine mounts are on the K member? wedge, Hemi or are they cut off for a engine plate?

liteweight

The dart was converted to a pro stock car in 70 or 71 and they changed the dash on it so the original vin tag is missing. It does have front and rear torque boxes. The K member is the original big block k member but has been heavily modified for oil pan clearance. When the hemi was in the car it was in with an engine plate.

[Kyle Kohr]

I forgot to mention that we could see where console brackets were cut off the floor at one time