1968 Dodge Dart GTS

It all happened in February 1968, when Dodge dealerships across the U.S. received promotional materials containing Chrysler's intention to sell factory-built Dart dragsters equipped with the company's most powerful V8.  It was assigned production code LO23, and it was built to meet Class B Super Stock racing specifications. Yup, it came with a no-warranty disclaimer.  But while Dodge's regular-production Hemi cars were put together at the company's plant, the Hemi Darts had to go to Hurst Performance in Madison Heights, Michigan, for the finishing touches. In reality, Hurst did a lot more than that because the Darts reached the company's conversion facility as partially assembled chassis.  In theory, the Hemi Dart was based on the GTS hardtop, but it went through radical modifications to become an LO23. While the Dart was already lighter than the Charger and the Coronet, Dodge took the opportunity and shaved even more pounds off the compact.  The regular steel fenders and hood were replaced with fiberglass panels, while the acid-dipped doors featured thinner glass and lacked window mechanisms (they were strap-operated).

For consignment, a subdued appearing but extremely beefy Dart from the white hat guys.  This example is in excellent rust free condition with just a few cosmetic flaws from previous times showing up intermittently.  Awesome power thanks to a Ray Barton 528ci Hemi, and a racy interior with a non nonsense overall look and a roll cage, grab this one before it flies out the door, I'd consider it a “hat trick” on the old circle cork board.  Topping it off is a great back story... Sold new at Jenkintown Dodge in Jenkintown, PA  to a machinist who enjoyed it as a street car for its first 2 years of existence, then pulled off the street to become a dedicated track only drag car.  As was the norm for the day, different parts and combinations were tried until success was met from the 340ci V8 with a tunnel ram and a Clutchflite transmission.  At this point the car was capable of clicking off low 11 to high 10 second passes in the 1/4 mile.  Come 1977 the owner retired from racing and the car was safely tucked away for the next 20 years.  Now presenting in the street legal GO FAST iteration before you, make sure your belts are tight as it's going to be one seriously fast pass.

Exterior
Straight steel panels rock your world painted in Medium Green Metallic which our consignor states is all original with the exception of the fiberglass hood and front fenders.  Speaking of the hood, it's a full pin-on lightweight variety in satin black with a tall and proud Hemi scoop giving a nod to the factory 1968 Hemi racers.  On front is a simple grille with a single headlight on either side and on the sides are round marker lights with doughnut shaped bezels on the rear which are kind of an iconic feature to these cars and up front we are sans markers on the fiberglass front fenders.  A thin white decal stripe graces the slab steel sides and sports a HEMI cutout on the front quarters.  Thin chrome trim graces the wheel openings and we note the rear wheel wells have been slightly opened up to accommodate much larger than stock tires.  On the B pillars is the quintessential Fratzog badge mounted securely to the consignor stated factory installed green vinyl roof.  One can then look slightly forward and see the rear curved in glass with small flying buttress B pillars.  On back a trio of horizontal tail and backup lights flare out to the sides and play off a central DODGE badged rear trim piece in aluminum and black paint.  GTS badging sits atop the trunk lid.  Wheelie bars peek out from underneath to help keep the front end from going completely skyward.  Old Skool Kewl 15-inch chrome Cragar wheels are wrapped in 195/65's up front and in the rear are massive 275/60R15 Mickey Thompson ET Streets.

Interior
When it comes to the exterior on this car, we know we have a runner, but for the interior it becomes a stunner, it's all business here folks.  Dark green accenting with painted door sills and bottoms with a molded vinyl center in complementary darker green has GTS badge floating just above the door handle/armrest and window crank.  Simple but elegant.  Inside, black carpeting is unavoidable and screaming out for your attention.  After a peek, we can move to the smooth black vinyl bomber styled buckets that are spot on the A100 seats used in the factory BO23 Hemi cars flanking a carpeted center hump fitted with a reverse valve body pattern Precision Performance Products shifter in black.  A Grant GT steering wheel is fronting the dash and is attached to the factory steering column.  Speaking of the dash it is a thin design mostly in green and black with clean original gauge configuration with added gauges hanging down from a green metal bracket in dash central.  In back is more carpeting taking the space of the rear seat and seen is a tight dark green headliner above.  A full roll cage has been installed with the added benefit of swing out door bars, a window net for the driver and a fabricated loop for a driver's headrest.

Drivetrain
Under the hood in a satin black engine bay, all clean and tidy, is a Ray Barton Racing Engines 528ci Hemi V8.  This mill was rebuilt about 3 years ago and has approximately 300 miles logged since.  On top feeding it are a pair of Holley 4-barrel carburetors bolted to a Ray Barton Racing Engines magnesium cross ram intake manifold.  A rebuilt in 2022 A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission with a reverse manual valve body and a Dana 60 4.10 geared rear axle complete the drive train.  Nicely presented with a front motor plate and ready to make some serious thunder.

Undercarriage
A slight overall patina, and some minor road dirt, but all solid and structurally sound underneath.  Seen for the ride are front torsion bars, and on back leaf springs and Caltrac traction bars.  Also, disc brakes are on all 4 corners.  This engine sports headers and Borla stainless steel mufflers with side exiting exhaust just in front of the rear tires.  Subframe connectors are noted to keep the chassis rigid and a driveshaft loop has been installed in the name of safety.

Drive-Ability
A nice smooth driver with easy steering, great acceleration, and bias free panic stopping.  The wipers and horn did not work, but who needs a horn when you have a Hemi under the hood.  Also we noted the turn signals, brake lights and tail lighting was not functioning at the time of our drive.  Ripped it…

Nicely done with a wonderfully detailed history, particularly when it comes to the racing past.  The interior is very retro racy and lots of nods are given to the factory BO23 cars of yore.  With Ray Barton Hemi power under the hood it's definitely a bullseye for this Dart.

LS23P8B318532

L-Dodge Dart
S-Special Price Class, GTS
23-2 Door Hardtop
P-340ci V8 4bbl
8-1968
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
318532-Sequential Unit Number


FENDER TAG

CAR: Dodge Dart GTS 2 Door Hardtop
ENGINE: 340cid 4-bbl HP V8
TRANSMISSION: 3-Speed Automatic
TIRES: E70x14 White Sidewall
MODEL YEAR: 1968
BUILD DATE: March 19.
AXLE: 3.23 Rear Axle Ratio
INTERIOR: Sport Trim Grade, Vinyl Bucket Seats. Green Interior.
PAINT: Medium Green Metallic (OTHER: Racing Green Metallic, Upper Door Frame Color. White Horizontal Sport Stripe.

MOLDINGS:
25: Drip Rail Mouldings
30: Body Belt Mouldings
78: Wheel Lip Mouldings

ABC OPTIONS:
R1: AM Radio
W9: 3 Speed Wipers
Y4: Green Vinyl Top

abc OPTIONS:
a6: Console
b4: Bucket Seats
m6: Driver's Outside Remote Operated Mirror

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.