Re: Original hemi dart information
 

He did albeit briefly. If memory serves me correct, I recall reading about this in Mopar Action circa early 1990s. There was an article on an unrestored 1968 Hurst Hemi 'Cuda called Psychotic Reaction. It was painted black w/lace panels.It was on display at the Chryslers at Carlisle event in 1993 (25th anniversary for those cars).

In the article it mentioned Bobby Harrop originally bought the car but sold it soon afterwards. I forget if he raced it or not at all. I still have the issue. I'd have to go looking for it to get the exact details.

M68

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Check out the rear wheels!

"Like wow, man."

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8...460337lqqo.jpg

(photo courtesy Bill "Redman" Floyd via Bob Rice)

M68

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Okay, I did some searching. I was wrong on the color (hey, it's been years since I've seen that article! Heck, it might've even been an B & W photo! :)) but right as far as lace paint treatment is concerned.

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/951...icreaction.jpg

“Psychotic Reaction,” has never been tubbed, and it still wears its original psychedelic paint scheme from 1968. It is very original and was raced only a few times. Bobby Harrup was a partner in the original deal, and he drove the car down the track a couple of times. The partnership then dissolved, and the car sat until the 1980s. Jim Kramer is the current owner. As Jim was getting the car ready for the show, he found the original Certicard above the glovebox.

http://www.moparaction.com/Article/S...ock/index.html

M68

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Not to be too critical on the time frame, the Dart probably wasn't at Sanford as I believe the track closed after the '67 season. Some people don't recall the Maine track running that late but I attended the NHRA points meet there in July and saw Grump's SS/C Camaro, Ed Miller on his was to the Championship, and a host of Jr. Stock cars from the NJ/PA area. The Epping track had opened and the need to go to Sanford's airport runways was on the wane. I probably saw the Dart at Epping around 1970, and may have seen it at Conn. Dragway a year later?

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Yes, you're right. Coronet for sure, but Dart, no... Can you remember when, or about when, Lebanon Valley opened? WJ

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

I believe the 'Valley opened about 1961...which I think was also true of Dover and also Connecticut Dragway....

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Also Niagara in Upstate NY...I'm no expert but I think a lot of tracks opened about this time. Drag Racing was really growing! Might have been the Detroit/Super Stock movement that caused this!

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Thanks for the info.

What the hell were we thinking when we painted our cars like that?

Must have been some goooood stuff!

JimR

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

You're welcome, Jim. Or maybe it was the laquer fumes? :) Or both! :D You have got to remember this type of custom painting (lace, cob webbing, metal flake, etc.) was a carry over from the late-1950s/early 1960s custom car era. That combined with some "good stuff" and great music from the on-going hippie/psychedelic era definitely provided the inspiration and carried over into race car artistry.

What an era...

M68

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

I'm so old that I remember Car Craft and several other magazines having articles on painting your car with lace table cloths as patterns.

I'm sure I still have those magazines....heck, I've got over 3000 in boxes in the garage.

It was a great time!

JimR