1968 Dodge Dart

The Dodge Dart received a major update in 1967, followed by only minor modifications and improvements for the 1968 model year. It remained the base trim level and came powered by a Slant Six engine with several optional V8's available. It had a chrome windshield, rear window moldings, and the Dodge name in block letters on the front of the hood and on the trunk lid. The Dart name, also in block letters, could be found along the side of the rear fenders.

Trim levels included The Dart 270, Dart GT, and Dart GTS. The 270 added carpeting, a half horn ring, dual horns, and a cigar lighter. Body styles included a 4-door sedan and a 2-door hardtop. The hardtops came with a full-width all-vinyl bench seat.

The GT Series added 14- or 15-inch wheels and tires with Deluxe wheel covers. Bodystyles included a Hardtop Coupe or a convertible. These were a special high-performance version of the GT and came equipped with the new 340 cubic-inch V8 engine. Other improvements included firm ride-shock absorbers, Rallye suspension, Red Streak Wide Oval tires, and a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic. A four-speed manual transmission was available as optional equipment. Bumblebee stripes could be found on the rear fenders and trunk lid.

The Dart GTS Series was available as a Hardtop Coupe or a Convertible.

The 170 CID Slant Six had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, a Carter one-barrel carburetor, and delivered 101 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission was standard. The 273 CID V8 had overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 180 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. The 'High Performance' version had 10.5:1 compression, a Carter four-barrel carburetor, and delivered 235 horsepower at 5,200 RPM. The 273 CID was a $79 option and the TorqueFlite automatic with six-cylinder power was listed for $139. With V8 engines, the TorqueFlite was $147. The 318 CID produced 230 horsepower, the 383 CID V8 delivered either 270 or 325 hp depending on configuration, and the 426 'Street Hemi' delivered 425 horsepower.

The 426 Hemi had been born and bred for racing, with the street version created to homologate it for racing. After showing up in purpose-built race cars in 1964 and 1965, the Hemi's biggest role in door-car drag racing was in Stock Eliminator in 1966 (a World Championship) and then Super Stock in 1967 (another World Championship with a two-year-old 1965 model). The factory built a mild 1967 race package, but redesigns to the A-body that same model year made it feasible to install the feared Hemi engine into the Dart and Barracuda models. Near the close of 1967, design and development resulted in necessary parts for a prototype Dodge Dart factory Hemi cars. For 1968, the Hemi-powered Darts were intended on winning every race they entered. The excessive amount of modifications needed to cope with the excessive power prompted Chrysler to tersely note via both dealer documents and vehicle-adhered decals that it was not legal for street use. Hurst Industries created a specific facility in Ferndale, Michigan, to construct them under contract for Chrysler.

Starting with 383-designed big-block vehicles and delivered to their new owners in primer with the stock camshaft and oil pan to be replaced with race parts, options were limited solely to transmission choice-either with an A833 4-speed with a Dana 4.88 differential, or an A727 automatic backed by a 4.86 8 3/4 differential. Approximately 80 of these Darts were constructed.

Specifically created to fit right into NHRA's SS/B and SS/BA classes, they ruled from day one until Pro Stock began and beyond. In 1970, NHRA simply reclassified the cars by themselves into SS/A by moving the indexes downward. In modern times, these are the only 1960s muscle-car packages to have an NHRA class still solely devoted to them, now known simply as SS/AH, for /A-Hemi.

Most of the Hemi Darts were raced and received upgrades during the decades that followed. The Hurst-constructed Chrysler A-body Darts and Barracudas set a true standard of performance from the day they arrived and were never highway-legal due to their extreme modifications and lack of some safety components.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2017