For anybody interested, just thought I would share a new project car I purchased- an authentic 1968 LO23 "Hurst" hemi dart. I am the third owner, after Dick Smith and Jim Keyes. Jim had owned it since 1973, and he raced it until he turned his attention to a BO29 Barracuda that he still owns and races today. Jim was kind enough to oblige my request for him to deliver the car to me personally, along with his friend and racing partner, Reg Lewis. This was actually a huge part of the value I paid for the car, to me. We've been seeing him on the web with his awesome Hemis for years. It was fun for me, my dad, and my three boys to meet them and talk about the history of the car for a while before he made the long trek back to Michigan.
Long ago, he had painted the LO23 Dart and the BO29 Barracuda matching House of Kolors Chromallusion paint (which is kind of cool, but simply has to go). I will attach some photos of it in its current state. I am going to pull the Super Stock hemi and keep it on an engine stand in my garage as a decoration, and I am having Tim Banning/ForHemisOnly build me a nice mild-to-moderate race hemi to run in the car for now. I was so impressed with him when he built the Hemi stroker for my '67 GTX, that I was anxious to work with him again (see link here: http://forhemisonly.com/project/clint-brunner/ )
I plan to do a partial restoration (I want to keep the cage, wheel tubs, interior the same), because I really want to preserve some of the patina and character that comes with a rare race car that was actually raced for years. I am going to paint it a factory 1968 white color (couldn't get the grey primer/black fenders and hood paint scheme past the wife), put on some classic Cragar rims and Mickey Thompsons, and make an occasional exhibition pass at the local dragstrip once or twice a year, just for the thrill of running a piece of history down the dragstrip. Should be good for mid to low 9's at least, with the new engine (900+ hp).
Clint
(http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af1/wbrunner/dicksmith_zps3i0v2lww.jpg) (http://s988.photobucket.com/user/wbrunner/media/dicksmith_zps3i0v2lww.jpg.html)
(http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af1/wbrunner/Keyesdragstrip_zpswievtesw.jpg) (http://s988.photobucket.com/user/wbrunner/media/Keyesdragstrip_zpswievtesw.jpg.html)
(http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af1/wbrunner/IMG_0310_zpsy08nq524.png) (http://s988.photobucket.com/user/wbrunner/media/IMG_0310_zpsy08nq524.png.html)
(http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af1/wbrunner/IMG_0312_zps0d8yad3a.png) (http://s988.photobucket.com/user/wbrunner/media/IMG_0312_zps0d8yad3a.png.html)
(http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af1/wbrunner/IMG_0348_zps5vjp8kiv.jpg) (http://s988.photobucket.com/user/wbrunner/media/IMG_0348_zps5vjp8kiv.jpg.html)
:2thumbs: but the first thing you need to get straight is the VIN - L 0 2 3 - "el" "zero" "two" "three" :icon_smile_big: I know people have been saying "LO" & "BO" for decades, but there were NO "Os" in US VINs until the '80s
just remember ZERO, as in ZERO warranty
When you're right, you're right! Thx for the reminder. I've heard and said "El Oh twenty-three" so many times, I guess I've been typing it that way, also. Good catch.
cool car :2thumbs:
I love those! I'd build a clone but it would be totally impractical as I like to turn.
Troy
AWESOME!
That's my second favorite car, right behind a wing car, and only slightly less practical to drive on the street.
Congrat's and thanks for sharing!
Awesome pick-up as I have always loved the Hemi Darts!
:2thumbs: great stuff :drool5: ... :2thumbs: :coolgleamA: :cheers:
Very cool- 900HP. Hope you'll take some video of it for us! :coolgleamA:
Thank you, everybody
Got my new Cragars and Mickey Thompsons on, and took it down the road and back, to get a taste of what it can do. Holy $hit. Not too bad for a car that hasn't been raced since 1979 (9.80s).
(http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af1/wbrunner/newCragars_zpsj02burlz.png) (http://s988.photobucket.com/user/wbrunner/media/newCragars_zpsj02burlz.png.html)
(http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af1/wbrunner/IMG_0814_zps7aaxtj3l.jpeg) (http://s988.photobucket.com/user/wbrunner/media/IMG_0814_zps7aaxtj3l.jpeg.html)
One cool car!
:drool5: :coolgleamA:
:2thumbs: :drool5:
awesome :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :drool5: :drool5: :coolgleamA:
Beautiful!! :2thumbs:
A great looking car, and a great looking garage too! :)
So , my Dart is getting closer to being ready for its maiden voyage to the track. My shop just updated me with the latest dilemma- what to do for front brakes? They said that the front Kelsey-Hayes rotors are unusable due to being severely warped and irregular, and they can't find a Kelsey-Hayes replacement (and they know I would like to stick with as many original or original-style parts as possible). The part number is 59157. I could go with an aftermarket setup like Wilwood, etc. but that won't look very period-correct behind my Cragar rims. On the other hand, I might be trapping 150+ mph and will need to slow the beast down in time.
Would love to hear your advice or opinions!
Btw, this Photobucket thing really sucks. Think of all of the wasted time spent posting photos.
Yeah, I dont see any photos. post more with out photobucket. LEON.
:iagree:
Um, I didn't post any more photos, just text...
Quote from: Q5XX29 on July 19, 2017, 06:22:25 PM
So , my Dart is getting closer to being ready for its maiden voyage to the track. My shop just updated me with the latest dilemma- what to do for front brakes? They said that the front Kelsey-Hayes rotors are unusable due to being severely warped and irregular, and they can't find a Kelsey-Hayes replacement (and they know I would like to stick with as many original or original-style parts as possible). The part number is 59157. I could go with an aftermarket setup like Wilwood, etc. but that won't look very period-correct behind my Cragar rims. On the other hand, I might be trapping 150+ mph and will need to slow the beast down in time.
Would love to hear your advice or opinions!
Btw, this Photobucket thing really sucks. Think of all of the wasted time spent posting photos.
These cars were factory hot rods/race cars from their inception, shouldn't they be built/modified and driven as such, upgrade the brakes, IMHO 4 wheel discs, nothing less
rather better safe than sorry, seen a few vintage rides wrap it up in a bad way at the big end, you gotta be able to stop it as fast as you want to drive it...
Mike
I agree with mike. Upgrade. No one is going to fault you for safety, if they do then they are dumb
Luke
What's the deal with those rotors? Are they different from original front disc rotor of any 68 A body equipped with ?
https://www.rockauto.com/es/catalog/dodge,1968,dart,6.3l+383cid+v8,1087770,brake+&+wheel+hub,rotor,1896
Replacements are available even drilled and slotted... sorry, I made the search with Rockauto set in spanish
In english
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dodge,1968,dart,6.3l+383cid+v8,1087770,brake+&+wheel+hub,rotor,1896
Thanks guys, appreciate your input, and agree. Nacho, I'm not sure- I was just going off of what my builder told me and I'm embarrassed to admit I don't even know, myself... but I will sure check into that. Yes, correct in that the LO23s started life as 383 cars, but not sure if anything was changed at Hurst
Quote from: Q5XX29 on July 19, 2017, 08:55:27 PM
Um, I didn't post any more photos, just text...
All the previous pictures you posted are photo-bucketed-up (gone). We would like some more please!
:cheers:
Quote from: Q5XX29 on July 20, 2017, 07:03:16 PM
Thanks guys, appreciate your input, and agree. Nacho, I'm not sure- I was just going off of what my builder told me and I'm embarrassed to admit I don't even know, myself... but I will sure check into that. Yes, correct in that the LO23s started life as 383 cars, but not sure if anything was changed at Hurst
Well clicking on the Bendix rotor INFO box ( Centric doesn't show these specs )
Style Full Cast
Type Disc Only
Design Vented
Studs 5
Supplied Stud (in) No
Outside Diameter (in) 11.04
Nom Thk (in) 0.81
Min Thk (in) 0.79
Bolt Circle (in) 4
Overall Height (in) 2.275
Alternate/OEM Part Number(s): 3580502
BENDIX Warranty Information
The only info we got don't get here is the inner and outer bearings diameters ( outer diameter is the deal since pretty sure spindles are the same hence inner diameters should be the same with GTSs spindles )
If they are the same, Centric drilled and slotted rotors are a good upgrade on stock specs car allong with ceramic pads! BTDT!