Original hemi dart information

[Hemi Moose]

Originally Posted by mopar68

M68, nice shots...there are not too many of Reid Whisnant 'Super Dart' around...heard it was one of Bill Tanners old '68 Hemi Darts.

[Hemi Moose]

[JCShiels]

In post 1915 the engine photo of Wildfire's first paint job the fender tag is in the photo but not readable, I wonder if Tim still has the print or the negative? It sure would help to know the VIN of that car.

[wv_bob]

VIN isn't on the fender tag for 68 and earlier cars. Those have the order number instead.

[GRAPE]

Here is a shot of the WildFire Dart.The late Don Ownes built the motor in the car and is seen here driving it after pre race Tech.The Pic. is from Englishtown WCS.Not sure of the year 1971-74.Don told me at the time that the car was sold it was picked up in a car hauler
by the Rod Shop and was going to be driven by Dave Bortmen.


Terry

[Hemi Moose]

Now that's a nice clear shot of the Wildfire '68 Hemi Dart...with lots of little details.

[Hemi Moose]

Does anyone know the story of this L023 '68 Hemi Dart...is it still around.

[Liteweight]

Originally Posted by JCShiels

In post 1915 the engine photo of Wildfire's first paint job the fender tag is in the photo but not readable, I wonder if Tim still has the print or the negative? It sure would help to know the VIN of that car.

As previously posted the Vin isn't on the tag, only the Body number/ or what is called the shipping order number. Like the Vin's on these first 50 cars, the shipping numbers should also be sequential.
Unfortunately the pictures I have are poor quality & I doubt you could get enough clarity to read the tag. Thought bout that one tho. Thanx Jim

liteweight

[Liteweight]

Originally Posted by Hemi Moose

Jimi, Al Kirschenbaum wrote articles & road tests for various magazines back in the day...and I believe I read the story that the L023 ended up being the Speedwin Hemi Dart now that my memory has kicked in.

On another note, you seem to keep bringing up the Charlie Castaldo '68 Hemi Dart that you saw in your dads shop back then, and I don't disagree with what you saw back then, but I do have few questions if you don't mind...do you remember what year this was roughly, and it was more that likely Charlie's second Hemi Dart, the one he bought off of Tom Crutchfield...you have said in some previous posts that the floor was cut out for access to the 4 speed...also do you recall if this car also had radiused wheel wells, that were normally larger that the factory Hemi Darts came with because it sure sounds like it was Charlies second car that you saw back then...unless you can remember any other details about it?

.

Nope, not Charlie's second Dart either.This auto car was copper & silver when he campaigned it in Super Stock. When Charlie changed the car up to A/MP for 1970 he also changed it's paint to red & yellow with the flared rear wells. He installed a stick to be competitive in A/MP & did cut the trans tunnel out of it for easier trans service. He also cut the trunk pan out between the frame rails.
Charlie sold this car to Ralph Costello in late 70, early 71 so he could concentrate on his Pro Stock program. Ralph painted the yellow sections on the sides to the same color red that was on the rest of the car. Replaced Charlie's Castaldo's name with Costello. Ralph raced the car in MP for a few years using alot of Castaldo's cast off/ outdated parts. Ralph eventually sold the car to a street racer, Danny Giaquinto in the Philly area. It was then sold to Ralph Conte.
Tom Lee eventually purchased it & still owns it today. He has confirmed seeing Castaldo's colors & flared wheel wells when he rebuilt the body on it. The quarters were so rough he had to replace them, but decided to leave the "as production" small wheel openings on it. He has also confirmed other mods such as the trans. tunnel, trunk, wheelie bar mounting, fiberglass bolts etc.
This is Charlie Castaldo's auto car, no if's, ands, or maybe's or buts.

The only Dart doors that would of kept Castaldo's name on them would have been from his crashed stick car & they were not repairable, even by todays standards. The other set of doors that had Charlie's name on them from the auto were candy apple yellow & red when Castaldo sold it to Costello.

I have pictures of all the above to verify my statements. I have spoke to the crew who worked on Castaldo's cars on a daily basis back then. I have spoke with the current owner of Castaldo's auto & have personally looked at it.
I have done my homework on Charlie's cars. Castaldo only had 2 Hemi Darts. There were no clones, there were no look alikes.

I honestly don't understand, or know how it would have been possible for jimi to have seen red & silver doors on my car that read Charlie Castaldo. He says he's correct.--- I just don't know how it's possible. I want to believe Jimi. Please explain.

liteweight

[Liteweight]

Originally Posted by Hemi Moose

Now that's a nice clear shot of the Wildfire '68 Hemi Dart...with lots of little details.

Thanx for sharing that picture Terry. Great never seen before shot

liteweight