Jim Blackmore
Jim loves performance Pentastars so much he named his dog Mopar. When the opportunity arrived in 1989 to purchase a factory four-speed, bench-seat, ragtop Dart for only $650, Jim jumped at it. The drop-top Dart GT was restored in time for the '92 Mopar Nats, where it was raced as well as shown. During the restoration, the original 318 was replaced with a '73 340 rebuilt to earlier 340 high-compression specifications. Jim says he drives his pride and joy about 1,500 miles a year.
Strip Specs
Owner: Jim Blackmore
Year/Model: '68 Dart GT convertible
Race weight: 3,550
Curb weight: 3,370
Engine: '73 340 .030-inch over
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Heads: J 915 castings, bowl ported
Intake: Edelbrock Performer
Carb/Jets: 650 Holley double pumper, 76 primary, 80 secondary
Camshaft: Crane hyd with .474 lift, 292 advertised duration
Ignition: MP Electronic with 34 degrees at 2,500
Exhaust: Manifolds with 2 1⁄2-inch exhaust
Trans: A-833 four-speed
Clutch: Stock 10 1⁄2-inch
Shifter: Hurst Competition Plus
Rear: 8 3⁄4, 3.23 Sure Grip
Brakes F/R: 10-inch drums
Wheels F/R: 14x5 Rallye
Tires F/R: 235/60R, 50 psi, 28 psi
Shocks F/R: Stock
Safety mods: Driveshaft loop
Interior mods: Stock bench (blue)
Exterior mods: GTS hood
Paint: Light Blue Metalic
Best e.t. prior to event: 14.90 at 95 mph
| Strip Tuning Log-'68 Dart GT Convertible |
| Run/Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift RPM | 60ft. | E.T. @ MPH |
| 1. 100-mph pass | 3,500 | 6,200 | 2.37 | 14.12 @ 100.47 |
| 2. Tire spin | 4,000 | 6.200 | 2.46 | 14.24 @ 99.48 |
| 3. Still spinning | 3,500 | 6,200 | 2.31 | 14.60 @ 97.85 |
| 4. Less spin, missed Second gear | 3,200 | 6,200 | 2.28 | 14.81 @ 96.70 |