Think the low-mileage '70 Hemi 'Cuda and Barris-built "AMX-400" are something? (They sure are!) But how about some of the other Mopar rarities set to cross the block at Mecum's St. Charles (IL) auction October 2-4?
Like this one-of-50-built "D/Dart."
The 1966 Dodge D/Dart was a Factory Dart package built solely for drag racing. The 273 V8 was rated at 275hp, and weighing in at just over 2900 lbs., the car qualified for NHRA's D/Stock class.
Dodge's normally-aspired high performance 273 was rated at 235hp. The extra 40hp the D/Dart produced was basic hot rodding. Off the speed shop shelf bolt-on's included Racer Brown valve springs, a Camcraft 284-degree .500" lift cam, Doug's Headers, and a Holley 4160 four-barrel bolted to the stock HiPo intake. All were equipped with a Hurst-shifted A-833 4-speed, Weber clutch components, and an 4.86-geared, SureGrip-equipped 8 3/4" rear end. Unavailable for this car were air conditioning and a warranty. There was no external badging or markings to note the D/Dart package over a regular Dart GT.
The picture in the 1966 Car Craft article was of a white Dart GT with Cragar S/S mag wheels. They tested the car at 14.33 @ 92.21 mph.
This super stock D/Dart package is identified on these seldom seen '66 Dart GTs by VIN number and data plate. and are certified by decoding the aforementioned as done by expert Galen Govier.
These cars have a VIN that begins LO23. The order includes the following sales codes: 699 - Special Order (Super Stock Dart); 409 - Special Order Axle; 364 - Super Stock; 624 - heavy-duty suspension; 32 - engine code; 554 - delete rear seat belts; 393 - four speed transmission; 21 - 6.95 X 14 BSW rayon 2-ply tires; 408 -Sure Grip; P4H - trim code (red); WW1 - paint code (white).
This particular example is documented with an decoding by expert Galen Govier which states that it was produced on April 17, 1966 as a special-order-assembled car at Chrysler's Hamtramck Assembly Plant as a Dodge Super Stock D/Dart.
Highlights:
- Modified 273 "HiPo" V-8 engine
- Four-speed A-833 manual transmission
- Special Order axle
- Bucket seats
- Original data plate
- Galen Govier decoding documentation
- One of only 50 made. The only superstock vehicle that Chrysler made in 1966.
- Extremely Rare, original example
(Courtesy Mecum Auction Company)