1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's)

[TomCannon]

So... What exhaust manifold were these cars delivered with? Did these cars come with a factory warranty?

[Paul Ceasrine]

Tom,

From what I have found on the '6' factory prepped 1968 SS/EA Darts GTS cars.
They came with Hooker Headers, 1 7/8" primary with 42" length tubes and 3 1/2" collectors. Fenderwell units.

A special exhaust connector pipe was attached to each side-outlet on the header collector (2 1/8" diamter),
and connected to the stock 383 mufflers, tail-pipes and chrome-tip exhausts.

No warranty on the factory race cars, but the factory did back them with free replacement parts.


The Mr. Norm's GSS 440 Darts (different version), did come through with a factory warranty.

[Paul Ceasrine]

T-N-T,

Car Craft Magazine (February 1968) had an article about the
Grand-Spaulding GSS 440's.

The information was gathered in December 1967, mentioning
that they were to be produced.

Also, Grand Spaulding Mr. Norm's placed advertisements in
Car Craft Magazine, for 68 GSS 440 Darts for $3750 and
they were offering 68' Factory Hemi Super/Stock Darts, at $5200.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Tom,

According to Al K.

The 1968 Dart GTS cars were pulled from the line on
November 20, 1967.

They were all 383 GTS cars with automatics. #LS23 cars, with 3.55 Sure-Grip gears.
The cars were pulled from the assembly line without the power train (engines), and
shipped to Hurst Performance for the conversion.

The Dodge-Hurst Conversion was code #L68 1703.
Cost was $363.65

440 engines were installed at Hurst Performance.
The cars were shipped back to Grand Spaulding Dodge for final preparation,
Which Included;
GSS badging
Engines were Dyno'd
Power-tuned
Carbs re-jetted (Reset pump shots and re-calibrated floats)
Re-curved distributors
Champion UJ-12Y spark-plugs
Larger belt pulleys
Performance ignition wiring
Low-restriction exhaust system (low-resistance mufflers, not the stock 383 units)
Full factory warranty
Ready-to-drive

Cost $3788

[Alex Denysenko]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Tom,

According to Al K.

The 1968 Dart GTS cars were pulled from the line on
November 20, 1967.

They were all 383 GTS cars with automatics. #LS23 cars, with 3.55 Sure-Grip gears.
The cars were pulled from the assembly line without the power train (engines), and
shipped to Hurst Performance for the conversion.

The Dodge-Hurst Conversion was code #L68 1703.
Cost was $363.65

440 engines were installed at Hurst Performance.
The cars were shipped back to Grand Spaulding Dodge for final preparation,
Which Included;
GSS badging
Engines were Dyno'd
Power-tuned
Carbs re-jetted (Reset pump shots and re-calibrated floats)
Re-curved distributors
Champion UJ-12Y spark-plugs
Larger belt pulleys
Performance ignition wiring
Low-restriction exhaust system (low-resistance mufflers, not the stock 383 units)
Full factory warranty
Ready-to-drive

Cost $3788

More erroneous information.
Dennis Hirschbach, the former parts manager of GSD from 66 through 76 is still alive and a friend of mine.
We both laugh at many of your GSS references Paul.
The engines were not installed by Hurst, they were factory built.
Another ubran legend created by the Hurst marketing arm of the time.
Probably the same group who said Hurst installed the 455's the Oldsmobiles as well.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Alex,

What is Code #L68 1703 (Hurst Conversion)

Now I do have a photo of a 440 engine being dropped into a
68' Dart, utilizing an engine crane.

Was this at Hurst or Grand-Spaulding or the Factory.

And Alex,
I didn't laugh at you when you made an error in posting that the 66' A-Body cars didn't come through
with an 8 3/4 rear-end housing.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,remember the D-Dart thread.

[Paul Ceasrine]

T-N-T,

I think the SS/EA record was 12.20, entering the 1968 NHRA
Winternationals.

That Super Stock class was attacked by Dick Landy's GTS 440 Dart
(not a Mr. Norms GSS 440) and some 68' Ford 428 Cobra-Jet Mustangs.

Some posted times by Dick Landy;
11.91
12.01 @ 118.73
11.81

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by Alex Denysenko

More erroneous information.
Dennis Hirschbach, the former parts manager of GSD from 66 through 76 is still alive and a friend of mine.
We both laugh at many of your GSS references Paul.
The engines were not installed by Hurst, they were factory built.
Another ubran legend created by the Hurst marketing arm of the time.
Probably the same group who said Hurst installed the 455's the Oldsmobiles as well.

C'mon Alex, no need to belittle Paul while making your point; he's a class act. If Paul's in error, I'm sure he's humble enough to admit it and update his info.

Anyway....



M68

[bill dedman]

And, if you REALLY want a laugh, persuade Alex to relate (here on ClassRacer) his fantasy about how the O.E.M. FE/C4 bell housing came to be... a Canadian/Ford pickup truck fairytale to end all fairytales!!! LOL!

It is a masterpiece!!!

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by Alex Denysenko

More erroneous information.
Dennis Hirschbach, the former parts manager of GSD from 66 through 76 is still alive and a friend of mine.
We both laugh at many of your GSS references Paul.
The engines were not installed by Hurst, they were factory built.
Another ubran legend created by the Hurst marketing arm of the time.
Probably the same group who said Hurst installed the 455's the Oldsmobiles as well.

If it comes down to believing written facts or some part guy's memory then I'll take the facts and if I have to believe a guy's words it would be Al K's over anyone.

JimR