Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Paul, Regarding the Gene O'Neill Dart: His nephew Steve located Gene's old '65 Hemi Coronet up in Quebec, not far from the Bombardier Plant, and completely restored it--called the "Flintstone Charger". Steve is now trying to locate Gene's old Hemi Dart.....Any ideas where that car could be? Much thanks. Warren Lederer. WJ:)

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Two Blasts From The Past:

I was about two years from racing personally yet in 1970 (or 71 when I took the photo), but here is a shot I took of Castaldo's car at Island. The gentleman in the photo steering is one of his crew guys, Rick Rickman, who I would later work with in the Parts Department at Spring Valley Dodge in Spring Valley, NY. Charlie Licata, and Frank Zangaro (name partialy blocked) were the balance of the crew.


Bill Rolik

SS 1514

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

I have not talked to Eddie in a while, since he moved to FL, but here is the Eddie Lukas "Over The Hill Gang" Dart at Bill Hayes' welding shop in Paterson, NJ. With Tim Richards power, this was a stout car. One day, he called me and said "I want to make the car lighter, and I don't care what it takes or what it costs". So he had me obtain a new, replacement complete FLOOR panel (remember, this is in 1976) and then got it dipped, as in chemically enhanced, and installed. He then wanted Hayes to install a roll bar (not a cage) made of exhaust tubing. There was a big battle over that one. I did not witness Hayes actually installing it, but it may have happened! Where this car is now, I have no clue.

Bill Rolik

SS 1514

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

OK, we will do one more!

Chuck McJury's Playmate II, sponsored by Cicero Dodge and Stevenson's Garage in Syracuse.

He is in line just behind Ken Montgomery's Triple Nickle 65.

At "The Patch", of course.

Bill Rolik

SS 1514

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Chuck:

"Ken, hurry up and cool that thing! It's time to go!"

Ken:

"Dang, that Hemi gets HOT"!

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Can't leave the Cuda fans out.

Stiles at The Patch.

Bill Rolik

SS 1514

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Bill thats a rare picture of Ken, SS/CA . Before he went to Stick.......thats is cool

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Mr. Rolik,
You are my hero! What great photo's from the past:)
Chuck McJury was based out of Schenectady, but was sponsored by
Stevensons Garage in Syracuse. Also, the home base for Ed Miller in his beautiful SS/B Cuda, who was also sponsored by Stevensons Garage.
Chuck ran at Dover a few times (68' thru 70'). A great race between him and Charlie Castasldo's SS/BA at Dover in 69'. Both running 10.70's or so.
That picture of Charlie's car (the second car) is right on for the 1970 or
1971 circa. The first car (SS/B) had DODGE lettered on the "B" pillar
behind the rear-side window.
Bill Stiles Cuda. Beautiful SS/BA car. Was at Dover, and later with his
Pro/Stock Duster in 70'/71'. The Cuda set the NHRA SS/AA record in
early 70' (I have to check, but it may have been at 10.25 or so). When he crushed the record, most of the guys running the SS/AA cars, that were running 10.60's or so, had to unload the Darts and Cuda's for S/S or convert to Pro/Stock to be competitive. A good time to be in the
market for a 68' Hemi. One could be had for about $5500.:eek:
Northeast-based Cuda's;
Ed Miller, Syracuse, NY
Bob Gaudreau, "Kandy Kuda", Bristol, Ct.
John Macey, "Heads Up", New Haven, Ct (My all-time favorite)
Phil Cerrone, "Harris Auto Sales", Providence, R.I.
Jack Werst, "Mr. 5 & 50", Willingboro, NJ
Ken Montgomery, "555", Rosyln, Pa.
* Ken Montgomery came to Dover in 1970, ran in Pro/Stock with SS/B
Cuda, for a circuit meet.
Don't forget Jack Arnew's Cuda, Baltimore, Maryland.

Paul.
OH, W J. The "Flintstone Charger" spent many of time following
"Doc" Burgess in the AWB-converted "Black Arrow" in 66' and 67'
hop-scotching all of the northeast AWB match-race events.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Paul,

Don't forget the Carpinet Brothers Cuda from PA, which I believe came from Jack Arnew. Crew Chief was Bob and driver was Al, and subsequent co-driver was Bob Sodano, who did the paint on the Eddie Lukas Dart with my paint scheme.

I understand that the Carpinet car, a gorgeous piece at that time, is still well preserved.

Also, the Centolanza Brothers from NY had a 68 Cuda (4-speed), as well as "Hemi" John Pierson here in NJ with the "Instant Cuda", which he had bought from someone in the Chicago area.



Bill Rolik

SS 1514

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

I have been asked what car was just visible in front of Montgomery's in line.

It was the Ed Headrick Yenko SS/E Camaro.



Bill Rolik

SS 1514