1969 New York Match Race 'Hemi Dart vs. '427 Camaro'

[Paul Ceasrine]

The 'so-called' famous New York Match Race.

The Mutt Brothers 1968 Super/Stock 'Hemi Dart' (formerly the S & K Dart, 'The Avenger')
vs.
'Super John' (John McFadden) in his 1969 'tunnel-rammed' 427 Camaro.


Bedford-Stuyvesant Section of Brooklyn. (Looks to be Bedford Avenue and DeKalb Avenue - October 1969)




"Super John' at West Hampton Raceway (Eastern, Long Island - June 1970)

[Jeff Lee]

So were's the rest of the story?

[Charlie A]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

So were's the rest of the story?

Go here:

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...=363041&page=1

[Paul Ceasrine]

Jeff = Inquiring Mind

Part 1

A lot of misinformation about this race, and mis-stated facts.. The original article is loaded with
wrong dates.

But after digging,

The Mutt Brothers (John Lyles 'money man') bought this car in the of the Summer of 1969,
(approximately, August 1969) not 1968 that has been stated in previous articles.

The Hemi Dart was owned by (Bryan Higgins and Ernie Krieg)) of S & K Speed Shop, located in
Lindenhurst, Long Island. They were one of the original list of 68' LO23 Super Stock purchasers of
the 4-Speed. In 1969, they decided to go the way of a 69' AMX Super Stocker, and eventually sold
the Hemi Dart in the 'Summer of 1969' to John Lyles.

Though an exact $ amount was hard to find, it appears that $6500 'cash' was good enough to make
the purchase fair to both parties.

John Lyles, with the help of 'J & B Automotive' (Benny Durham and Jessie Johnson) located on Beford Avenue
in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brookly - helped 'tweak' the Dart to still compete in SS/B during the
second-half of the 1969 racing Season out on Long Island.

Ronald Lyles (Mutt Brother) was the driver of the 4-Speed Slick-Shift Hemi. The Dart was run at New York
National Speedway (AHRA Track) and West Hampton Drag Strip (NHRA Track) out on Long Island.

The Hemi Dart had run some very good times out at West Hampton Drag Strip in 1969 (10.90's) - while
winning '3' Super Stock Eliminator Events, as well as '2' 'Runner-Ups'. The SS/B National Record
was 10.59 for SS/B at the time. The Dart was also involved in 'two' West Hampton Drag Strip sponsored
Match-Race Events with a 'Grumpy Jenkins' prepared Camaro.

But, the Hemi Dart was occassionally found at the JFK Airport extension at 150th Street and Conduit
Boulevard on 'selected weekend nights'.

On the 'street', the 'skinny' was that Ron Lyles was undefeated in 'Heads Up' {$500 A-Go-Go} races.

The word - nobody could beat the Hemi with Ron Lyles smashing the gears in the 4-Speed.

But, a few 'reliable observers' to these Street Races, witnessed the 'Hemi Dart' getting beat by a
65' GTO 'Gasser' from the Bronx, in a 'Heads Up' race.

And also, a 'red' 68' 427 L-88 'street driven' Corvette from Yonkers (sic; Yonkers Auto Body) that
ran (11.10's) - 'nipped' the Hemi Dart in a $1000 Race, but the Corvette was spotted 2-Car lengths.

[Charlie A]

The "legend" is usually way more fun than the truth.

Lot's of money on the streets back in the day.

In some areas, there are still some serious street "events" happening today.

Turbo's and tuners mostly.

Can you imagine seeing some old style street racing with last year's top Pro Stocks somewhere today?

[Paul Ceasrine]

Charley A,

Much more fun back in the day.

And, I remember the 'red' 68' L-88 Corvette from Yonkers off of Central Avenue.
Only raced at the track a couple of times as a 'Show Car'.

Just a 'Street Killer' that the owner would only race for a minimum of $500 a pop.
Lots of $$$$ back then.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Still trying to get all the 'details' about 'Super John' and his 69' Camaro.

It was a Dick Harrell prepared car, less the motor and drive-train.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Fred,

This 69' Camaro came with a 'two hoods' when it was purchased from Dick Harrell in late-1969.

It was an original 'Aluminum-Blocked' COPO 427, with a 4-Speed, and the car was run with the
L-88 type hood in early 1969 and then the Tunnel-Ram hood (later 1969) while it was competing
in the AHRA Super Stock/Eliminator and early- AHRA Pro/Stock classes.

It was puchased at the end of the 1969 racing season, (approx.) in November 1969 - less the
engine and drive-train.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Here it is in 1970.

In 1969, an 'original' COPO' All-Aluminum 427 that ran NHRA SS/C.

And AHRA S/SE with the 'Tunnel Ram'.

In November 1969 it was purchased less engine and transmission.

The new engine was an 'aluminum head' 427 backed by a TH400 that ran in A/MP.

[Hemiparts]

Eugene Coard ( Ron Lyles cousin) is alive and well living in Durham NC. I'll forward this to him and see if he can give us " the rest of the story".

Chris

[wv_bob]

Another thread on another board that might have more info
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=280240