Original hemi dart information

[Troy]

Hello, I'm new here and I would like to introduce myself. My name is Troy Bray and I'm out of California. For years I worked at Westoaks Chrysler and I headed up the performance program for many years. I supplied many of the Stock/Super Stock racers with there parts. Needless to say SS/AH is my favorite class to watch. I spent many hours with Bob Lambeck, Dick Landy, the Defrank family and the Smith Family at Pro Trans. I even worked at Pro Parts with Bill Bagshaw....these were fun times!!

I have been following these cars for over twenty five years. I'm not so much into the history of the people who raced them....or when these cars were in race trim. What peeks my interest is the way these cars were built and how they left Hurst. I know that most of these cars didn't even run....Bill Bagshaw picked up his car and the headers were in the trunk because they would not even bolt up to the engine. Because of this a few years ago I built a "As Delivered" clone Dart. I did not have the money for a real BO or LO and I wanted to drive this thing without any worries about somebody crashing into a piece of history. I have spent hundreds of hours trying to figure how they did it back those days...how they cut the wheel wells....cut down the steering column and that funky exhaust....what were they thinking??!!!??

Anyways I just wanted to say hi and thanks. Thanks for all the hard work that it takes to keep a thread like this going. There is so much history in this thread and it is truly priceless information.

Here are a few pictures of my street car and thanks again.

[bigsixman]

Nice looking car.

[Charlie A]

[rhinodaert]

Good to see you on this thread Troy! There is so much info here, but we still can't figure out who owned Lightweight's car, but I guarantee we will eventually!

[Troy]

Hay there!! Your correct, there is a lot of info on this thread.

And your correct again, we need to find Lightweights car. I have been thinking about the best way to find his car is by proses of elimination. I figure that we know about 60%+ of these cars history. So that leaves 25+/- cars or so that we need to look at. It's sure sounds simple....doesn't it? LOL!!!!

That Barracuda on Ebay, does anybody know about it. It seems like it could be a real good toy for somebody. Looks like the frame rails are still there along with the front brakes, shifter and a few other parts. I asked if it had a fender tag and they told me to call the owner.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-...orcev4exp=true

I would do anything to get my hands on a original BO or a LO and when I see something like this it makes me dream even more. Any info on that car would help. I would even trade my car for the right project.

[68hemiss]

Troy,
Good to have you here - you might remember me from Moparts - I sent you some factory info on Hemi Dart tires a while back.
I am familiar with the Barracuda that is for sale on Ebay - the owner called me last week about it. We have spoken on and off since before he bought it. It is a real car - Hodge Restorations did the work on the car - they used to have some pics of the car on their site. Jack McKnight used to race the car - not sure if that name rings any bells to anyone - I believe he used to run the track in Sikeston, MO. I have the history on the car but not much on old pics of it.
Mark J
1968 Hemi SS Registry

[Paul Ceasrine]

The Rod Shop,,,

Purchased all their Dodge Cars from Northland Dodge.

[hemid68]

Mark,
I met Jack McKnight a long time ago, at Joe Holmes shop in Carbondale, IL, where I bought my Dart. The Southern Illinois, and Kentucky group, of Jack McKnight, Joe Holmes, Bud Gross, and I believe Jerry Bennett, were all into the Hemi's, and Mopars. I think when I met Jack, he may have had the Black Cuda, and a Red '68 Cuda, but my memory is old! If somebody wants some more info on Jack, I believe there was some kind of connection to Jerry Bennett, who I believe is from Mayfield, Kentucky, and still runs a'62 Plymouth in NHRA Stock Eliminator. Again, that is the way I remember it.
Dan

[RO51_Hemi]

here are the Hodge restoration pictures of the black 68 BO29 on
ebay

http://www.hodgerestorations.com/68%...m%20Oneil.html

[Troy]

Originally Posted by 68hemiss

Troy,
Good to have you here - you might remember me from Moparts - I sent you some factory info on Hemi Dart tires a while back.
I am familiar with the Barracuda that is for sale on Ebay - the owner called me last week about it. We have spoken on and off since before he bought it. It is a real car - Hodge Restorations did the work on the car - they used to have some pics of the car on their site. Jack McKnight used to race the car - not sure if that name rings any bells to anyone - I believe he used to run the track in Sikeston, MO. I have the history on the car but not much on old pics of it.
Mark J
1968 Hemi SS Registry

Yes Mark, I remember you very well. First I would like to thank you for your knowledge on these cars. If it was not for you and several other people my Dart would never have been finished.

Does anybody have a ball park figure what the owner wants for that Barracuda? Anybody know of any LO or BO projects out there that are for sale?? Just thought I would ask.

Thanks again everybody. Troy