ISO Balzekas Motors 68 Hemi Dart info

[Jon Mopar]

Hey folks! Long time fan of the site, and fellow enthusiasts….but new member.

I?ll kick this off with curiosity about 1 car in particular. I read that Balzekas Motors (a Chrysler dealer) in Chicago had sponsored and/or supplied a 68 Hemi Dart. Does anyone have any photos or info about this car? Links to old photos no longer work.

I?m intrigued because Balzekas is as supposedly a crosstown rival to Grand Spaulding?? only what seems odd is they were a Chrysler Plymouth dealer, not a Dodge dealer. So as I understand it, they should have had an impossible time getting a new Hemi Dart, especially considering Norm had a considerable amount of influence with ChryCo in 68, and he would have taken major issue with them getting their hands on a hard-to-get Dodge (because of franchise rules etc). Any insight would be appreciated

[Jon Mopar]

Nobody?

[Terry Witzel]

From Paul Cesarine?s Original Owner?s list:


53) Balzekas Motor Sales
Chicago, Illinois
SS/BA (Automatic)

That?s all the info I could find.

[Steve Stasko]

Mark Janaky had said previously that he was not entirely sure that was the correct dealer for the car that is claimed to be the "Balzekas" car.

[Jon Mopar]

Originally Posted by Steve Stasko

Mark Janaky had said previously that he was not entirely sure that was the correct dealer for the car that is claimed to be the "Balzekas" car.

I am inclined to say it was a mistake and they did not get one, just based on the fact of how that in a time when these were limited hard-to-get cars…and Balzekas was a Plymouth dealer not Dodge. Nothing was impossible but based on franchise rules Chrysler certainly wouldnt take a sale away from a Dodge dealer in the zone by giving a Dodge car to a Plymouth dealer (and would be even less likely to do so with a limited and desirable car that many Dodge dealers wanted but couldnt get). Again anything was possible but this would be against protocol and even corporate rules. I cant see Chrysler pulling a risky stunt like that. It would be more appropriate for them to have a B029 Cuda

[Steve Stasko]

I think the Balzekas thing came from one of Paul C's lists...which unfortunately had a lot of errors and have been taken for truth by many.

It's not entirely impossible that a Plymouth dealer raced a Dodge. I know of a Dodge dealer in Ohio who received a new '65 A990 Plymouth. Reason being is that all the Dodges were spoken for, so he was offered a Plymouth. He also campaigned a '67 R0 Plymouth (purchased from another individual when almost new), and a '68 Hemi Road Runner (received on a dealer to dealer trade) later on. There are actually photos of the '65 car lettered with "Dodge" on the doors.