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

Hemi Moose · 06-17-2011, 07:45 PM

Can't forget some of the others, this is Charlie Allen's 1968 440 Dart GTS, although it still has the 383 emblems on the fender. Does anyone here know when they made the motor swap.

Paul Ceasrine · 06-21-2011, 09:43 AM

Engine swap performed at Ted Spehar's Woodward Avenue Garage,
in January 1968 (first week).

The conversion was done, once Chrysler Performance got approval from the NHRA on Januray 4, 1968.

A 'minimum' of '6' SS/EA cars had to be produced, to get NHRA Super/Stock proto-type approval for the 68 NHRA Winternationals at
Pomona.

Factory-prepped 440 engines, with Hooker fenderwell headers installed.

pc

Hemi Moose · 06-22-2011, 04:55 PM

I've got a question, I know almost everyone into Mopars has heard of Mr. Norm's from Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago and the 1968 Dart GSS he built, but I'll have to admit I've never heard of any 1967 Dart GTN or the GTN-1. Is that what they called them back in 1967, because I've seen several 1967 Dart GTS restored over the years but never any GTN or GTN-1's, has anyone else.

Alex Denysenko · 06-22-2011, 07:17 PM

GT-N = GT Norm.
First one was actually a 66 GT just to show the engineers it could be done.

Early 67 Dart GT with 273 converted to 383 in house at the dealership using custom fenderwell headers and some other aftermarket parts. I'll have to find out what else.
This is before the factory would do them. Most of you Mopar guys know that the 67 GTS was a late model year introduction. January or February I think.
Norm tells the story often of how the factory engineers told them that you could not fit a B motor into a A body car without major mods. The dealership mechanics did it with existing parts and then Norm and his brother drove the car to Hamtramk to show the factory people. The GTS was born shortly thereafter.
GT-N-1 was a 440 car. It was going to be a street Hemi but the factory nixed it for obvious reasons.

Hemi Moose · 06-26-2011, 12:31 PM

Hmm, that's funny because I don't recall Mr. Norm building any 66 Darts with a big block, but I could be wrong. I always thought he started off using the 67 model to do the engine swap, and I still never heard the terms GTN & GTN-1 ever used either, anyone else?

Paul Ceasrine · 06-26-2011, 04:42 PM

I believe the first 67' 383 GTS Darts were built in February 1967.

And the driver side (left side) special exhaust manifold was designed by
Arlon Vanke.

06-17-2011, 07:45 PM	#1
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) Can't forget some of the others, this is Charlie Allen's 1968 440 Dart GTS, although it still has the 383 emblems on the fender. Does anyone here know when they made the motor swap. Last edited by Hemi Moose; 06-17-2011 at 07:47 PM.

06-21-2011, 09:43 AM	#2
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) Engine swap performed at Ted Spehar's Woodward Avenue Garage, in January 1968 (first week). The conversion was done, once Chrysler Performance got approval from the NHRA on Januray 4, 1968. A 'minimum' of '6' SS/EA cars had to be produced, to get NHRA Super/Stock proto-type approval for the 68 NHRA Winternationals at Pomona. Factory-prepped 440 engines, with Hooker fenderwell headers installed. pc

06-22-2011, 04:55 PM	#3
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) I've got a question, I know almost everyone into Mopars has heard of Mr. Norm's from Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago and the 1968 Dart GSS he built, but I'll have to admit I've never heard of any 1967 Dart GTN or the GTN-1. Is that what they called them back in 1967, because I've seen several 1967 Dart GTS restored over the years but never any GTN or GTN-1's, has anyone else. Last edited by Hemi Moose; 06-22-2011 at 04:58 PM.

06-22-2011, 07:17 PM	#4
Alex Denysenko Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Michigan City IN Posts: 633 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) GT-N = GT Norm. First one was actually a 66 GT just to show the engineers it could be done. Early 67 Dart GT with 273 converted to 383 in house at the dealership using custom fenderwell headers and some other aftermarket parts. I'll have to find out what else. This is before the factory would do them. Most of you Mopar guys know that the 67 GTS was a late model year introduction. January or February I think. Norm tells the story often of how the factory engineers told them that you could not fit a B motor into a A body car without major mods. The dealership mechanics did it with existing parts and then Norm and his brother drove the car to Hamtramk to show the factory people. The GTS was born shortly thereafter. GT-N-1 was a 440 car. It was going to be a street Hemi but the factory nixed it for obvious reasons. __________________ Alex Denysenko NHRA 3038 SS, 3305 STK - IHRA 6 SS, 330A STK Moneymaker Racing LaPorte Indiana 219-861-1214 www.moneymakerracing.net Last edited by Alex Denysenko; 06-22-2011 at 07:37 PM.

06-26-2011, 12:31 PM	#5
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) Hmm, that's funny because I don't recall Mr. Norm building any 66 Darts with a big block, but I could be wrong. I always thought he started off using the 67 model to do the engine swap, and I still never heard the terms GTN & GTN-1 ever used either, anyone else?

06-26-2011, 04:42 PM	#6
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Dodge Darts (Factory SS/EA 440's) I believe the first 67' 383 GTS Darts were built in February 1967. And the driver side (left side) special exhaust manifold was designed by Arlon Vanke.