Original hemi dart information

[rhinodaert]

Since this is the best thread on the internet I thought I would put out to the world that I too am working on a book through Cartech Books on the restoration of Dodge and Plymouth A-Body's. I signed the contract a couple weeks ago and my life is now over as I knew it! What was I thinking...


On a side note, I gathered most of the pieces for a Hemi A-Body 4-speed set-up including the original STEEL bellhousing and bottom cover, 72 Hustle Stuff A-Body 18 spline 4-speed trans, shifter and linkage including a used reverse lock-out, and a few other parts that will be for sale soon. When I got the Shipley Hemi Dart it had the floor pan cut-out and a frame mount for the ball so I assumed it was a 4-speed. Jack Arnew told me it was an automatic car, so it must be done that way, thus the 4-speed stuff needs to go if anyone here is interested.


Jim

[Charlie A]

Ready to purchase!


Taking pre-publication orders yet?

[Liteweight]

Congrats on that Jim. good on ya!!. Keep us posted on availability.

Time to start up the Hemi Dart pic of the day again. The season's here, so's the fever. never seen this pic before. Anyone know the car?

liteweight

hemidartdave. so hows that ol hemi sounding?

[HEMIDARTDAVE]

liteweight

hemidartdave. so hows that ol hemi sounding?

Sounds nasty. I wish I could post it here, but when I tried before, it was too large.. (the video).

[71Dartman440]

A nice shot of the S&K Speed Dart at a New York Custom Auto Show can be found on Bob Snyder's Drag Photos Collection on smugmug (page 5). Check it out...




http://bobsnyderdragphotos.smugmug.c...6905&k=v4mTnqV

[Paul Ceasrine]

Originally Posted by Liteweight

Congrats on that Jim. good on ya!!. Keep us posted on availability.

Time to start up the Hemi Dart pic of the day again. The season's here, so's the fever. never seen this pic before. Anyone know the car?

liteweight

hemidartdave. so hows that ol hemi sounding?

Jim O'Connor

Started off in Chicago Illinois as a 'Chevy' man, and ran a 1962 Chevrolet Impala 409.

Jim ended up being the 'High Performance' Parts Manager at 'Nickey Chevrolet' in
Chicago from 1964 thru 1966.

Surprisingly, Jim also performed driving chores for Lenny Krause of
Grand-Spaulding Dodge in Chicago in 1965 and 1966.

Jim drove the 'Fuel Injected' 1965 Dodge Coronet 'Funny Car' for Mr. Norm's.

In late-1966, Jim then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan to become a
Service Manager for a Pontiac Dealership.

In early-1967, Dale Berger {Grandson of Bill Berger} of 'Berger Chevrolet' in Grand Rapids, Michigan made an offer for Jim, to come join Berger Chevrolet in their new home at
2525 28th Street, and to run the 'new; High Performance Parts Department.

At the time, Berger Chevrolet was the #1 Chevrolet Dealer in Western Michigan.

Jim also campaigned a 1967 Corvette for 'Berger Chevrolet', called 'The Carouser'.
It was Berger Chevrolet's 'first' Race Car that they ever sponsored.

But, Jim's stay at Berger Chevrolet was 'short lived'.

In mid-1967, Jim moved again.

This time it was to 'Azzarello's Chevrolet' in Lowell, Michigan.

Jim then campaigned a 'new' 1967 Camaro SS 396 {396/375 HP} in
Sper Stock {SS/C}.

The 'Royal Plum' painted Camaro routinely ran 11.90's @ 117 MPH,
and was a dominant force in Super Stock at;
* US 131 Dragway ~ {Martin, Michigan}
* Milan Dragway ~ {Milan, Michigan}
* Great Lakes Dragway {Union Grove, Wisconsin}

But, in April 1968 >

Mopar 'came-a-knocking', and offered Jim a deal on a 1968 LO23
Dodge Dart 'Race Hemi' {Automatic} to run in SS/BA, as well as to become
a Service Manager at 'Earle Ike Dodge' in Inglewood, California.

Jim liked the 'deal', and went to the West Coast.

[Liteweight]

Background on the white Dart WW63?

Great info on the Jim O'Conner Dart Paul

liteweight

Hemi Dart Pic of The Day. Don't know if it's a LO23. Pics I've come accross

[Liteweight]

Hemi Dart Pic of The Day.
On my quest towards 1,000,000 views

liteweight

[Paul Ceasrine]

Daryl,

'Earle Ike Dodge'
1175 South Brea
Inglewood, California


April 1968

The word was, that Dick Maxwell and Bob Cahill 'roped' Jim O'Connor
from Grand Rapids, Michigan and,

"Made him an offer he couldn't refuse."

Next thing you know, Jim O'Connor was in Inglewood, California
as the High Performance Car Manager at 'Earle Ike Dodge', along
with the 'keys' to a brand new LO23 Race Hemi Dodge Dart, ready to run in SS/BA.

Only complaint,

No Radio or Heater.

[rhinodaert]

Originally Posted by Charlie A

Ready to purchase!


Taking pre-publication orders yet?

Just started writing it, book due out Spring 2016. Would love to add a color picture of my Hemi Dart in the book, someone somewhere must have one! At least my car is known, don't have to search like Daryl did, LOL! Just not many pictures out there, I think I have all that are known!?!