Original hemi dart information

[pthomasely]

I was 2nd owner of the cuda I bought it from Doug Warren he was sponsored byBill Binko I sold cuda to John ,less engine which I sold to Chick DiNinno

[Paul Ceasrine]

M68,

That first photo of 'Check Mate' must be from early-1970.
SS/AA record 10.36. (Set by Don Grotheer in 10/69).

There was an original SS/BA Barracuda from Jacksonville, Florida
'Super Fish',,,,,, I think........Mind blank at the moment.

Canadien Darts;
*) Chinook Dart
*) Demented Dart
*) Dick Panter
*) Gil Clark

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by pthomasely

I was 2nd owner of the cuda I bought it from Doug Warren he was sponsored byBill Binko I sold cuda to John ,less engine which I sold to Chick DiNinno

Small world! Thanks for the info. More history, your experiences, and pix (if you have any) would be appreciated. Speaking of Chick DeNinno, I used to talk regularly with him on the phone and a few times in person back in the early-mid-1990s thanks to a former job of mine. He's a very amiable guy who always had the time to answer questions I had about drag racing in the 1960s/1970s and was glad to share stories about Ronnie Sox, Sam Auxier, Clyde Hodges, Hemis, the early days of Pro Stock racing, etc. Now, if only I could recall them all!

Here's one story that comes to mind: Back in the mid-to-late-1970s Chick was one of the mechanics with Sox & Martin. I don't recall what track, year or what race but the Hemi engine in the Sox & Martin Pro Stock (circa) 1978 Dodge Challenger wasn't running right one day. Ronnie was a bit perturbed and decided he was going to blow it up on the next pass. I don't recall if Chick told me if he told him that prior to the run or not, but for sure afterwards. On the next pass Ronnie left the Lenco trans in third gear and took that Pro Stock Hemi in his Challenger through the lights at over 10,000 rpm! That the Hemi didn't blow up is amazing. As I'm typing it's coming back to me; I believe the discussion that led to this story was about Hemi egines and high rpm oiling/bearing concerns and/or problems.

I will always have fond memories of those chats with Chick. I can still hear in my mind the voice on the other end of the line when I called his shop: "Fabrication..."

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

M68,

That first photo of 'Check Mate' must be from early-1970.
SS/AA record 10.36. (Set by Don Grotheer in 10/69).

There was an original SS/BA Barracuda from Jacksonville, Florida
'Super Fish',,,,,, I think........Mind blank at the moment.

Canadien Darts;
*) Chinook Dart
*) Demented Dart
*) Dick Panter
*) Gil Clark

Paul, as always, your historical knowledge and information makes great reading and is much appreciated.

Regards,

M68

[Paul Ceasrine]

M68,,
I have to search for a couple of magazines, with photos of the Hemi's
thta some have never seen.

Chick Brignolo, 'Play Thing' Hemi Dart
'Micro-Lube', Hemi Cuda
'Double Trouble', Hemi Cuda

[marfen]

Chinook dart, Old trapper, Dick Panter, high Roller all the same car.
Demented Dart is Cam Noseworthy's car he got new from Crosstown Motors in Edmonton where he worked, later raced by the Kramer bros. in E'ton, in basic red paint. languished in a few collectors hands for a while and went stateside 5-6 years ago. Thought to be the only LO23 sold new in Canada...I was told the Chinook/trapper car was sourced stateside. Gil Clark? Paul, is that an eastern car?

[Paul Ceasrine]

Did Dick Panter get the Chinook Dart during the 1969 season.

Thankfully he changed the paint job,,,,,,The Chinook Dart,,,

Frank,
Double Trouble (Coletti Chrysler-Plymouth) was at the 1969 NHRA
Winternationals.
SS/BA

[Paul Ceasrine]

Josh,

The first records were set by
Don Grotheer SS/B,,,10.91,,,,,,,, in June 1968
Larry Cooper SS/BA,,,,,,,,11.10,,,,,,,, in June 1968

By the time they got to Indy in 1968.
SS/B was 10.83
SS/BA was 10.91

Arlon Vanke ran a 10.64 in the Indy S/S Finals, setting a new record.

[MJB19]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Did Dick Panter get the Chinook Dart during the 1969 season.

Thankfully he changed the paint job,,,,,,The Chinook Dart,,,

Frank,
Double Trouble (Coletti Chrysler-Plymouth) was at the 1969 NHRA
Winternationals.
SS/BA

Hi guys...I have a bit of info on the Chinook Chrysler Dart, the dealership owned it till at least 1971, at that time the dealership had changed hands and racing was not in managements plans. The Dart was put up for sale minus the glass hood(stolen) and the drivers side door glass was a normal thick one(car broken into) I beleive the asking price started out at $3100,but no takers, I offered the $1000 cash and my 69 hemi RoadRunner but the sales manager didn`t want another hemi to worry about. Mike Bullis of Calgary ended up paying $2600 for the car and only owned it briefly selling it when the very tired motor spun a bearing, I think Lee Brothers from Red Deer Alberta got it next but not sure,they never raced it if they did have it. Next up would be Jim Ronahan of Edmonton, he and Albert Branham raced the car also Dick Panter drove the car as Old Trapper before buying it.
MJB

[marfen]

Thanks for filling in the gaps on the Chinook dart. Do you recall if Chinook got it direct from Chrysler or was is sourced stateside from another dealer's inventory? I've got some terrific action pics of that car I'll have to scan and post.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Reg,

Many of the S/S Hemi Darts and Cuda's were running between
10.70 and 11.00 in August 1968.

Tim Crutchfields SS/BA Palmer Dodge Dart was running 10.90's
He sold it in 1969.