Original hemi dart information

[Charlie A]

Originally Posted by ww63

Joe Ralph Thompson dart is in Kansas in good hands.

Follow up?

Pics?

Info?

[JeffD]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

The last of the "teaser photo's", the rest will be in the pictorial book,,
,,,,,A Mid-West,,,,, SS/BA Dart,,,,,,,,,John Grant

Guys name was John Rivers. Raced at MN Dragways, and was crashed/rolled on the street, and later rebodied...

Picture my Mom took at MN Dragways.

[68hemiss]

I have questions on whether this Dart was crashed - there seems to be little info on it. John Rivers from what I understand was a black guy - also note the Soulful (something) Racing on the rear quarter. Look at this pic which apears to be 70, 71ish at what looks to be a Div V Points Meet. I am judging the year by the cars in the background - Ostrich's SS/DA car ect... Was this car sold - It appears the racer and the boy are not John Rivers - Any help here?
Mark J

[Paul Ceasrine]

Often overlooked in 1968,,,

Judy Lilly had a successful campaign in Division 5 (West Central Division)
with the SS/BA 68' Hemi Barracuda.
And Ms. Lilly was the only female to qualify for the 68' NHRA World Finals,
October 20, 1968 @ Tulsa, Oklahoma.

She won several rounds, before breaking-out (Disqualified), by running under
the SS/BA National Record (10.83) in the quarter-finals.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Some of the Chrysler people behind the 1968 Super/Stock Hemi Program;

* Chrysler-Plymouth Sales Manager; R.D. McLaughlin
* Head of Product Planning; Dick Maxwell
* Product Planning, Drag Race Division; Bob Cahill
* Special Vehicle Engineering; Tom Hoover
* Supervisor of Special Vehicle Engineering; Dan Mancini
* Chrysler Engineer (Racing Program); Pete Hutchinson
* Head of Development and Testing, Engineer; Bob Tarozzi
* Staff Engineer for Special Performance; Dave Koffel
* Special Car Manager and Chief Engineer; R. M. Rodgers
* Dodge Performance Sales Manager; R.H. Kline
* Sales and Marketing, Drag Race Division; Jerry Gross
* Product Planning and Special Parts Services; Brian L. Schram
* Chief Mechanic; Ted Spehar (Woodward Garage,,,,a.k.a. Skunkworks)
* Chief Mechanic; Larry Knowlton (Woodward Garage)
* Chrysler Technician/Mechanic; Dan Knapp
* Fuel Systems Engineer; John Bauman
* Chrysler Technician; Jerry Greene
* Hurst Performance Director; Richard Chrysler

[BAA5019]

In regards to John Rivers, He did own the Hemi Dart and that photo is of him and he was was part of a St. Paul car club existing of black racers. The club name was The Soulful Strutters. Another member named Eddie Anderson had a Green 68 hemi Dart as well. John lived in North Mpls and use to keep the car on his ramp truck behind his house in an alley. Never garaged. And what kept anyone from stealing that ride was one bad *** German Shepherd that was was chained to the truck. A long chain I might add. Hope that this helps.

[68hemiss]

I appreciate the info on the Johnny Rivers Dart. Does anyone know what ever happened to it? I have heard that it is still tucked away in MN, that it was crashed, that it fell on Johnny and killed him, ect... My point with the picture is that this is not a black guy and his son - I was under the impression that Johnny was a black guy???? So was the car sold??
Thanks,
Mark J

[ww63]

Last I knew the remnants of the car were in Florida (2007-2009)

[ww63]

Originally Posted by BAA5019

In regards to John Rivers, He did own the Hemi Dart and that photo is of him and he was was part of a St. Paul car club existing of black racers. The club name was The Soulful Strutters. Another member named Eddie Anderson had a Green 68 hemi Dart as well. John lived in North Mpls and use to keep the car on his ramp truck behind his house in an alley. Never garaged. And what kept anyone from stealing that ride was one bad *** German Shepherd that was was chained to the truck. A long chain I might add. Hope that this helps.

Soulful Strutters were also part of the Dick Landy 67 Dodge after it was sold thru White Bear Dodge in MN

[Paul Ceasrine]

Anyone, ever here of Lenny Lowe,,,,,

Ran a 68' Hemi Barracuda at the 1970 Indy Nationals in A/MP.

Out of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Edited,,,,,I found him,
'Super Cuda',,,,,,,,John Hagen's ex-SS/B car.