1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Mike,

Which came first the Chicken or the Egg....?

1967 Model year.
Was the Dart GTS 383 or the Barracuda 383 Formula S
released first from Chrysler.

The 1967 production year started in September 1966,,???

pc

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Mike,

Car Craft did an article (February 1967 Car Craft Magazine) about
Mr. Norm's '383' 1967 Dart build.

I would imagine the information was gathered in December 1966, for the February 1967 print date.

Car & Driver Magazine had an article about the 1967 '383' Barracuda
in their April 1967 Road Test.

I would imagine that information was gathered in February 1967, for the
April 1967 print date.

Car & Driver documented a 1/4 mile performance test of
15.40 @ 92 MPH.
And a follow up test with a professional drag racer driving, with a
result of 15.06 @ 93.5 MPH.

Hot Rod Magazine later tested another 383, Barracuda Fastback, 4-speed.
With a performance tune-up, they got a best time of 14.80 @ 94.10 MPH.
(Air cleaner removed and advanced timing)

All tests were with a 383 Barracuda Fastback, 4-speed, and a 3.23 Sure-Grip Posi.
Of course a Formula 'S' with D70 x 14" tires.
6.21" tire width x 25.32" diameter.

Car weight #3202 lbs.
Engine rated at 280 Horsepower

The 383 engine had a restricted 525 CFM Carter AFB carburetor,
due to the restrictve exhaust system.
The dual exhaust pipes were small 1 7/8" size. Smaller than an
intermediate 383 B-Body car.
They had to use the smaller dimension piping, to fit under the chassis.

pc

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Mike,

According to Chrysler, the 1967 Plymouth Barracuda was to be released in September 1966.

But re-tooling issues developed on the production line, as some softer
body changes were applied to some earlier radical lines.

According to information, the 1967 Barracuda was introduced on
Novermber 16, 1966.

Also, according to the Plymouth Barracuda Service Manual
(print date November 25, 1966),
a 383 engine was available in the car, with either an automatic or
4-speed.
Gear ratio's were only available with a 3.23 Sure-Grip.

If everything balances out, Plymouth had to have planned to put
the 383 in the Barracuda, long before Mr. Norm put the 383 in his Dart
project at his shop.

pc

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Chrysler-Plymouths move to put a 383 in the 1967 Barracuda was
a direct response to the 1967 competition;
Chevrolet Camaro 396
Ford Mustang 390
Pontiac Firebird 400

Rated at only 280 Horsepower, due to the carburetor limitations and restrictive exhaust system.

For 1967 NHRA Stock car classificatiion;
Notchback (#3119 lbs.) = 11.14 wt/hp = C/S......C/S = (10.60 - 11.29)
Fastback (#3202 lbs.) = 11.44 wt/hp = D/S.........D/S = (11.30 - 11.88)
Convertible (#3224 lbs) = 11.51 wt/hp = D/S......D/S = )11.30 - 11.88)

Supposedly only "9" 1967 Barracuda Convertible, 383, w 4/speeds were produced.

pc

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

I wonder if these Chrysler employees were swearing during this install.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/13...069a99e57c.jpg

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

It looks like Chrysler built the first big-blocks in the 1967 383 Barracuda before Mr. Norm stuffed one into a 1967 Dart GT, and Chrysler started building them shortly after that as seen in this ad.
http://www.andy440.com/67gts_1.jpg

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Moose,

Those fine gentleman with the nice buzz-cut hair cuts at Plymouth are not using 'fender covers'........:eek:

Of course, many of 'F' words had to be said, when dropping the
383 'B' engine into an A-Body.

I'm sure they were saying, whose 'F-ing' idea was this.....:rolleyes:

Paul

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

It could be,,,,,,,,

The first run of 1967 Dodge Dart GTS 383's.

Looks to be be very early in February 1967.

First build date;,,,,, February 1967
Last build date,,,,,, June 1967

Total GTS builds = 457
229 (4-speeds)
228 (Automatics)

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Paul,
I remember when I crammed a 440 in a 69 I had when I was younger...The only F word I said when it was done was "F*ckin' cool!

Later, Ed

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Those first 383 installations into the 1967 Barracuda were done by
engine crane.

Until someone on the production line figured out that they could
mount them on the 'K' frames, and do the installation from under-neath.

They never told Mr. Norm that,,,,,,,,,,:eek:


Paul

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

R/T,

Magazine Articles;
Hot Rod Magazine, December 1966
1967 Barracuda 383 Test

Popular Hot Rodding, December 1966
First Test for a 1967 383 Barracuda

Motor Trend, December 1966
1967 Barracuda 383

Super Stock & Drag Illustrated, April 1967
1967 Barracuda 383 Test

Road Test Magazine, June 1967
1967 Barracuda 383 Test
Car ran a best of 14.70 @ 100.60 MPH
383, 4-speed, with 3.23 Sure-Grip
Included a performance tune-up, and colder spark plugs.
Tested at Milan Dragway, Michigan
Herb Mcandless was the driver.

Test overview:
At 3000 RPM, the car would bog coming out of the hole, due to restrictive exhaust and
inadequate carburation.
If you came off the line at more than 4000 RPM, the D-70 x 14" (6.21" wide) tires
would break loose,
3500 RPM was the right RPM take-off number.

The Inland 4-speed shifter was complete garbage. The only positive thing about it was the 'reverse lock-out'.

Once you hit 2nd gear, the car would then pull properly, and accelerate strong in
mid-range.
The long shift throw between 2nd and 3rd gear would seem to take forever, costing you 2/10's.

The car pulled smoothly through 3rd gear, but the valves started to
float a little at 5500 RPM (end of the 3rd gear).

You should hit 4th gear (final drive) at the 1150 foot mark, giving you about 170 feet in 4th gear.

The ET time of 14.70 with 3.23 gears is impressive.
But more suprising is the 100.60 MPH.
The higher MPH indicates that much is lost on the bottom-end.

A better 4-speed shift unit (ie; Hurst), and 3.91 gears would be a
pleasant addition to the drive-train.
Add 7" slicks for proper traction, and 13.90's would be an easy mark
for this 'B' engine in an A-body.

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

R/T,

On the 1967 Dodge Dart 383 GTS / 1967 Barracuda 383 Formula 'S'
controversy with Mr. Norm's.

Chrysler had made a sales and marketing decision to put the 383 in the 67' Barracuda, long before Mr. Norm did his 383 Dart build.

With Ford promoting the 67' Mustang GT with a 390, Chrysler felt that
a 67' 383 Barracuda would compare more favorably with the Mustang than a 67' Dart, with the younger sports car market.

Plymouth had scheduled to introduce the 67' Barracuda in
September 1966, but re-tooiling issues developed on the production line, pushing the release date to November 16, 1966.

According to VIN #'s, several 67' Barracuda 383 Formula 'S' cars were
built in the November production at Plymouth.

Mr. Norm's 383 build project didn't take place until December 1966,
several weeks after the 383 Barracuda was out on the market.

pc

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Mr. Norm actually beat the factory to the B block swap?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=box60rO7C50

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Here's the article that was printed in the Car Craft February 1967 issue on Mr. Norm's 383 Dart. There have been many discussions over the years about who installed the first big-block into an A-body.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...383Dart001.jpg

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

General Information:

The first under-chassis headers designed for an A-Body with a
383 engine.

Rich Ignotto of Iggy's Mufflers, Chicago, Illinois.

Driver side (left side) exhaust manifold (Casting # 2899002)
designed by Arlon Vanke, in late-October 1966.

Right (passenger side) exhaust manifold (Casting #2863900)

First 383 engine dropped into the new style 1967 Plymouth Barracuda.
Arlon Vanke (October 1966)
Sox & Martin (October 1966)

First Plymouth Factory-backed racer to contemplate drag racing
a 1967 Barracuda for the 1967 season (1967 Winternationals)

Dave Kempton.
At first, he was thinking of running a 273/235HP Commando Barracuda Fastback in F/SA.

Then thought about running the 383/280HP Barracuda Fastback in D/SA.

Before deciding to go back to his 62' Plymouth Sport Fury 383/343HP dual-quad, and run
in SS/EA.

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Peach,

The Barracuda 383 Formula 'S' came first.
The 1967 Plymouth Barracuda Service Manual,
printed on November 25, 1966 lists
all general information on the 383.

The 1967 Dodge Dart Sales Brochure from January 1967
states that the Dart GTS 383 will be available in February 1967.

Nr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge was the first to install (drop)
a 383 in the Dart GT.
But he was not the first to install a 383 in an A-Body.

The Chrysler-Plymouth Engineers did it 2 1/2 months before Mr. Norm's
performed the conversion.

Added information;
The size of the dual exhaust piping was 2 1/4" at the exhaust manifold.
From November 1966 thru April 1967.
Some cars experienced excessive exhaust heat, which affected the brake fluid
within the master cylinder.
Also, a higher ratio of cars developed fouling of the spark plugs, due to the inadequate
exhaust distribution.

Later in the 1967 production year (May and June), the pipe was expanded 3/16"
(approximately 10%), to 2 7/16" for improved exhaust flow.
The result was improved exhaust flow, and less heat build-up within the exhaust manifold.
Though the 383/280HP horsepower remained the same (in print), the later production
model year cars had a +15 horsepower gain.

All Dart GTS 383's were assembled at Hamtramck, not at Mr. Norm's.

In total, '457' Dart 383 big-blocks were built for the 1967 Dart GTS 383.
Automatics; 228
Manual 4-speed; 229

Of the '457' 1967 Dart GTS 383's built, only '30' (6.8%) were convertible.
Automatics; 17
Manual 4-speed; 13

All cars came equipped with 3.23 Sure-Grip posi-rears.
All engines came equipped with chrome valve covers.

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

I find this information interesting do you have anymore info or stats on Arlon Vanke and Sox & Martin's 67 Barracuda's were they Formula S models or just standard Barracuda models fastback or coupe.

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Here's one of several ad's used for the introduction of the newly redesigned Plymouth Barracuda model, this one is of the 1967 Barracuda Formula S model.

http://www.scenicreflections.com/fil...aper_aoyyp.jpg

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

No one ever talks about the '68 383 Formula S hardtop. I saw one on Mecum (Kansas) the other day. I can't recall ever seeing one in SS .Seems to me they might have been lighter. Production figures of all Cuda hardtops must have been very low. Curb appeal was also low.

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Vanke
Arlon Vanke had a 1967 383 'Fastback Formula 'S', 4-speed car.
It was not 'raced'. It was used primarily as a 'general driver' car.

Though it may have had a few runs in D/Pure Stock.

The car was given to him in September 1966, and was used for helping him design the driver (left) exhaust manifold (Casting #2946729) , and dual exhaust system.

Sox & Martin
Sox & Martin never raced their 1967 383 Fastback Formula 'S', 4-speed car.

Plans to build a car for D/S car never materialized.
They were hoping to build one and have it ready for the 1967
NHRA Winternationals at Pomona.
They did not have it completed for competition.

The team focused on the Super/Stock Division for 1967,
with the 440 GTX and Hemi GTX, and later R/O Hemi Belvedere w/GTX lettering.

The 67' 383 Barracuda would not have fit favorably into SS/E for
1967.
And early performance results of the 383/280 HP for D/S were
disappointing.
The car ended up a general driver and shop car.

pc

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

1967 383 Barracuda Formula 'S'

Total Built 1841

Fastbacks 1547 (84%)
* 703 (4-speeds)
* 843 (automatics)

Notchbacks 260 (14%)
* 93 (4-speeds)
* 167 (automatics)

Convertibles 34 (2%)
* 9 (4-speeds)
* 25 (automatics)

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Matt,

The 1967 Dodge Dart GTS 383,

Sales Brochure
Did mention the 383 with;
* Dual exhausts
* Heavy Duty Suspension (6-leaf rear springs)
* Firm-Ride shocks (1" piston)
* Heavy-Duty Torsion bars (.87" thickness)
* Front sway-bar
* Sure-Grip Posi Rear
* Red-Line Wide Oval D-70 x 14 tires
* 5.5" wide steel rims
* Front disc brakes
* Low-Restriction air cleaner
* Chrome valve covers
* Vinyl upholstery
* Bucket seats
* Console
* Padded arm rests
* Full carpeting

The GTS was for the 383 only,,,
Other options;
* Mag-type wheel covers (They looked like Fenton Sharks)
* 46-Amp Alternator (35-Amp was standard)
* 70-Amp Battery (48-Amp was standard)
* Console mounted tachometer (6000 RPM)
* High capacity radiator (Standard with towing package)
* 7-Blade fan
* Fan shroud
* Radiator air seals
* Kelsey-Hayes Front disc brakes

Dodge Sales Marketing Theme
'Dodge Rebellion'
'Operation 67' Dart,,,,,,,,,Join Now'

Dodge Performance Marketing Theme
"If you need to go a Quarter-Mile, we can get you there in less than 15-Seconds'

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Gino,

The 67' Dart GT with the 273 weighed in at #2956 lbs.

The 67' Dart GTS 383 weighed in at #3208 lbs.

The 252 lbs. of added weight wasn't the complete problem,
it was that 170 lbs of it was on the nose.
Which made handling,,,,,,not fun with manual steering.

And with the 3.23 street gears, the car could break loose easily,
despite the standard Sure-Grip rear and Heavy-Duty (6-leaf) rear springs.

PC

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

A friend of mine in high school had a '67 Dart convertible with a 383 auto, fully loaded. What impresseed me most about the car was that the car was blue and the 383 emblems were red. Only red 383 emblems I remember ever seeing.

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Gino,

Hi Performance Magazine,,,,,,

Recommended the following for the 1967 Dart GTS 383,

* An aluminum dual-plane high rise intake manifold (ie; Edelbrock)
* Holley #3259 715 CFM carburetor (1 11/16" x 1 11/16")
* Change the stamped steel non-adjustbable rocker arms with
adjustable types.
* Replace the push rods with High-strength steel units
* Replace the single-coil valve springs with 440 units (heavy-coil w/damper).
* Replace the single-point distributor with a dual-point unit.
* Change the stock 3.23 gears with 4.10's.
* Install OK Kustom under-cjhassis headers (1 5/8" tube x 42" length)

Magazine prediction; 13.70's @ 104 MPH.

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Gino,

D/Stock class for 1967 = 11.30 -11.88 (wt/hp)
The 67' Barracuda Fastback 383/280HP fit into that class.
1967 D/S record,,,,,,,,,12.85
1967 D/SA record,,,,,,13.54

Matt said that Sox & Martin got stuck in the 13.40's with their
67' 383 Barracuda 4-speed.
They did not have enough time to do further improvements and/or testing, and they canned bringing it out to the 1967 NHRA Winternationals.
If they couldn't win with it, they were not going to bring it.

Their competition, the 1957 Chevy's with the 283/283HP fuel injection.

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Fred,,,

1967 Production year.
Plymouth new car introduction date September 1966.

Barracuda introduction date,,,November 26, 1966

Plymouth Barracuda Fastback,,,,,, $2840
with 383/280HP 'K' Code engine,,,,,$222
Formula 'S' Package,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,$259
Bolt-on Mag Type wheelk covers,,,,,,,$51
Performance Gauge Package,,,,,,,,,,,$16
Tinted glass,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,$28
Front and rear bumper guards,,,,,,,,,,,$22
Console w/bucket seats,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,$51

The Formula 'S' package was required with 383 engine equipped cars.

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

Check out this restored 1967 383 Dart GTS, very nice...

http://www.ecarlist.com/showroom/1308/photos/868595#34

http://photos.ecarlist.com/gi/OY/Qd/.../sA/BQ_800.jpg

Re: 1967 Dart GTS 383 / Barracuda 383 Formula S
 

The 1967 Plymouth Barracuda 383 Formula 'S' came before the
1967 Dart GTS 383.