Original hemi dart information

[W J]

Paul, In my Ralph Ridgeway thread, Ralph left his email addy in his post....I'll bet if you contact him, he'd love to share some of his wealth of info related to this time frame we're speaking of......it was amidst the height of his racing career as well....Regards...WJ

[Paul Ceasrine]

Steve O. & WJ
Thanks for the help. I'm kind of re-visiting this lost Dart.
Here's what I've got. Hampden Dodge, 648 State Street, Springfield.
Can't locate a (Hamden Dodge). Car definitely had 'Debs' Automotive'
lettering. Can't define the name, some say Joe Patel, others think
Patrelli or Petrelli. Maybe Ralph Ridgeway would know??
Was at Orange Dragstrip, and probably Milton, VT, and most likely
Connecticut. Never saw that cat at Dover.
If he was with the 'Deb's' crew, probably made a few visits across the
north border into Canada.
An SS/BA car. Found info, of 11.20's and winning in S/S Eliminator.
Not a low E.T. , but Bill Stiles set the first SS/BA ET at 11.06 in
July 68, at Island Dragway, New Jersey. Probably with both feet on the brake-pedal!!
The Dart is probably sitting behind someones garage in northern Mass.,
surrounded by weeds and other junked cars. OH, THE HORROR!!
Paul

[W J]

Paul, email Ralph.....He said he'd share info on his equipment and his era....and like I said, Steve O'Neill, although was just a "pup",when it was the heyday of running these cars , has big knowledge of these pieces, along w/his Uncle Gene ( who actually owned and raced the stuff.....) WJ

[HEMIDARTDAVE]

A friend of mine knew Joe Patel well back in the day, and shared some info today. He actually was given the original dealership ordering paperwork by Joe years ago, still has it somewhere, and had the cars original AT trans until a few years ago. He thought the Dart was painted a dark color, brown or maroon. He had a chance to buy it for $2200 back @ 1972. It was sitting, minus engine/trans, fairly cut up, behind Deb's shop in the snow. My friend passed on it and thought the car went to Michigan @ '72-'73, and has not heard about it since.

[Paul Ceasrine]

HEMIDARTDAVE,
Thanks for info. Anything helps, while searching for this lost Dart.
My black & white photo, can't distinguish color, only that it is dark.
"Deb's Automotive" best reference point.
'Hampden Dodge',,southeastern part of Springfield, Mass.
Won at Orange Dragstrip, August/Sept 68'. Heard it went C/G or
something like that in 69'/70'. Then POOF!
Paul,,,

[HEMIDARTDAVE]

Paul,
Is there any chance you would post or email me a copy of that pic?
Thanks, Dave

[Paul Ceasrine]

OILY-OLLIE,
Hampden Dodge in Springfield, Mass. (Hampden County).
Not the Hamptons, L.I...
Not sure if it was a Hampden Dodge only co-sponsorship, or
Hampden County Dodge Dealers Assn. deal.
Hampden County had about 15 dealers, plus an additional 3 or 4
on the outer perimeter area.
You could be correct, with 20 dealers involved??
No 68' Hemi cars were represented in Western, Mass., other than
Hampden.
PC

[Paul Ceasrine]

Mark J,
Thanks on the S & K info.
I wonder if they kept that car into 69'.
Also, was the first official race for a 68' Hemi Dart by
Dick Landy, at the Hot Rod Magazine Drags, Riverside in late March 68'.
Can't find anybody running any earlier.
PC

[Paul Ceasrine]

Mark.
The owner of the Deb's Automotive Dart, out the Springfield, Mass. area was Joseph Petelle (correct spelling).
Also, not 100% sure, but found a photo of a purple 68' Hemi Cuda out at
New York National, lettered with 'Jerry's Automotive' (photo from 68/69)
* Maybe the missing Cuda from Long Island, NY.
Paul

[FINESPLINE]

Hi paul, there is a gentleman started a post and is looking for photo's of a a990 car lettered -------------confederate yankee. Car was supposedly co-owned by ted spehar. I just think you might be the man to help him.-------john