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

[Paul Ceasrine]

Freddy,

I sent you a PM

The first '2' 1968 440 Dodge Darts 'GTS' (SS/EA) went to
Dick Landy, and Saddleback Dodge in California.

Both were delivered 3-weeks before the 1968 NHRA Winternationals.
The cars were original 383 GTS cars, automatics.
With bucket seats, consoles, heater and radio
Drum brakes 10". No under-coating.

The 383 engines were pulled, and 440 engines were installed before they were shipped out.

I'll try to locate the full details
The original '6' factory 1968 GTS 440 Darts (SS/EA).
1) Dick Landy (California)
2) Saddleback Dodge (Charlie Allen) (California)
3) Friedman Motors (Des Moines, Iowa)
4) Greater Detroit Dodge Dealers (Ron Mancini)
5) Rockville Center Dodge (Rockville Center, L.I., New York)
6) Bob Banning Dodge (Hyattsville, Maryland)

A guy in New Jersey (Tom ?) got the Rockville Center Dodge car in 1969.

[bluegrassx]

Ron Mancini was runner up in Super Stock Eliminator at the 1968 NHRA Divison 3 event at Bluegrass Dragway in Lexington. He was running his 1968 SS/EA Dodge Dart.
At the 1969 Divison 3 event there he was SS winner in his SS/AA Hemi Dart.

[Hemi Moose]

Does anyone know if any of these 440 powered Dart ex race cars are still around today or the story of their demise?

[Paul Ceasrine]

I haven't seen any.
The 68' 440 Darts could only run Super/Stock.
1968 SS/EA
1969 SS/GA
1970 SS/FA

I think the big deal was, Chrysler only wanted to factory back the Hemi's.

Too bad, the top '2' Division points leaders for 1968.
Bob Lambeck (Dick Landy car)
Ron Mancini

[TomCannon]

So... What exhaust manifold were these cars delivered with? Did these cars come with a factory warranty?

[Paul Ceasrine]

Tom,

From what I have found on the '6' factory prepped 1968 SS/EA Darts GTS cars.
They came with Hooker Headers, 1 7/8" primary with 42" length tubes and 3 1/2" collectors. Fenderwell units.

A special exhaust connector pipe was attached to each side-outlet on the header collector (2 1/8" diamter),
and connected to the stock 383 mufflers, tail-pipes and chrome-tip exhausts.

No warranty on the factory race cars, but the factory did back them with free replacement parts.


The Mr. Norm's GSS 440 Darts (different version), did come through with a factory warranty.

[Paul Ceasrine]

T-N-T,

Car Craft Magazine (February 1968) had an article about the
Grand-Spaulding GSS 440's.

The information was gathered in December 1967, mentioning
that they were to be produced.

Also, Grand Spaulding Mr. Norm's placed advertisements in
Car Craft Magazine, for 68 GSS 440 Darts for $3750 and
they were offering 68' Factory Hemi Super/Stock Darts, at $5200.

[Hemi Moose]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

From what I have found on the '6' factory prepped 1968 SS/EA Darts GTS cars.

They came with Hooker Headers, 1 7/8" primary with 42" length tubes and 3 1/2" collectors. Fenderwell units.

A special exhaust connector pipe was attached to each side-outlet on the header collector (2 1/8" diamter),
and connected to the stock 383 mufflers, tail-pipes and chrome-tip exhausts.

No warranty on the factory race cars, but the factory did back them with free replacement parts.

The Mr. Norm's GSS 440 Darts (different version), did come through with a factory warranty.

It would be very interesting to find out exactly how many races each of these six 440 Darts actually won, anyone here have any info on this.

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by paul ceasrine

i haven't seen any.
The 68' 440 darts could only run super/stock.
1968 ss/ea
1969 ss/ga
1970 ss/fa

i think the big deal was, chrysler only wanted to factory back the hemi's.

Too bad, the top '2' division points leaders for 1968.
Bob lambeck (dick landy car)
ron mancini

1970 ???

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968,,,SS/EA,,,,,,,, 8.70 to 9.47 wt/hp
1969 ,,SS/GA,,,,,,,,,8.50 to 8.99 wt/hp
1970,,,SS/FA,,,,,,,,,,8.50 to 8.99 wt/hp