1968 Dodge Super Stock DART 426ci 575hp HEMI / An EXACT Reproduction
By now, every speed enthusiast in America has heard about the new 2018 Dodge Hell Cat Demon. With race times of 0 to 60 in 2.1 seconds and a quarter mile in under 10 seconds, this is the new fastest car on the road. What people may not know is that the history of this new Demon goes back to the late 60’s.
On February 20th, 1968, Chrysler’s corporate headquarter sent a Press release to Dodge dealerships across the country of its intent to build and sell drag ready, Hemi powered Darts. The press release stated that Dodge wanted to build a factory built race-ready drag racer out of the 68 Dart GTS hardtop for competition in Class B Super Stock drag racing. As a limited option only available in 1968, the L023 became the Hurst-reworked Hemi Dart using the 426 Hemi engine. These special models of which only 80 were made, were created strictly for drag racing, and included a non-warranty disclaimer. Dodge blew everyone’s mind when they decided to squeeze a 426 Hemi engine into the breadbox sized engine bay of a Dodge Dart, creating a factory-built racer that could scream into the high 9’s to low 10s right out of the showroom, same as today’s Dart… Top speed was reported at 130mph. While these cars were not intended for street use, and came with a disclaimer stating such, Chrysler did set them up to meet street legal requirements. This undoubtedly led to some very cool late night drives. From that day on, a true legend was born. This machine came straight from the factory built on Dodge’s smallest car in their fleet, the Dart; and Chryslers most powerful power plant, the 426ci Hemi. The 1968 Dart Super Stock 426 Hemi was considered the fastest factory-built high performance machine on the planet in its day.
Today, an original 1968 Dart Super Stock 426 Hemi can hit and exceed the $200,000 mark IF you can find one of the original 80 made. Today, we are proud to offer this very special exact reproduction with a special story of its own!
This Dart started its life as a basic Dodge Dart. A very well kept rust free car with all the right stuff. It was purchased by its second owner and builder of the car from scratch. It began with a true 1968-69 426 street Hemi engine that was sitting for decades on a shelf at a local Fire Department on Long Island in NY. The factory built street Hemi engine (block # 2468330) originally came from a 1969 Dodge Charger. The engine had less than 1200 miles when purchased back in the late 1990s. By 2000, it was sent to the legendary engine builder Jack Merkelin Hauppauge NY to be upgraded to the exact specs of the 1968 Dart Super Stock 426 Race Hemi engine. Upgrades include 12-1 pistons, blue printed heads, correct Cross Ram manifolds with correct 4235 & 4236 Holly 750 carbs. All linkage is correct as is a body Hemi oil pan and system. Correct Hooker Headers, unsilenced air cleaners, trunk mount Super Stock battery, A-833 “Slick Shift” 4-speed transmission with correct Hurst Shifter and Hurst reverse lock out. A brand new DANA 60 Heavy Duty Sure Grip rear end with 4.88 gear ratio, all “as delivered” meaning exactly how it left the factory!! A fully restored front end was also added.
The body was completed by the second owner himself. it is built to the exact specs of the original Dart Super Stock 426 Hemi “as delivered”. The original body was rotisserie-restored, and fully primed “as delivered”. No undercoating or body sealant was added as original. The raw fiberglass front clip with Hemi lift-off hood, “Plexi” type side glass with pull strap glass and fixed quarter glass, all “as delivered”. Hurst factory type rear wheel well cutouts are “as delivered”. It has the correct black rims & street tires, special off set master cylinder and hoses and the correct detailing and stickers from the factory. This Dart is literally built as close to original Hurst specs as possible. It is a TOP show winner and has never been raced!
This car is so precise that even the interior is fully restored to specs including the exact A-100 light weight bucket seats with aluminum mounting brackets. Chrysler initially used these seats in the A-100 Dodge Van. They found them to be extremely light weight and began using them in the Super Stock Dart. Racing seat belts and all correct delete plates were used as original. Everything you see on this car is exactly how the factory built the original including items such as the plastic lightweight side windows, the door jamb overspray and the primer finish.
This amazing piece of Stock Car history is virtually brand new and as a reproduction, is available at a fraction of the cost of one of the original 80.
Reminder! This is a street legal Dodge Dart Super Stock 426 Hemi. The original 1969 426 Hemi engine was professionally upgraded by Legendary engine builder Jack Merkel to the Race Hemi in this Dart. The body, frame and interior were also professionally built to perfection. This is one incredible work of art!
Call NOW for information on this incredible Dodge DART Super Stock 426 HEMI 516-586-6536 OR email [email protected]
**** Incidentally: Mr Jack Merkel passed away in January of 2018 after nearly 50 years of engine building. We thank him for his many decades of service to the industry!
