1968 Dodge Dart - Juxtaposition

Al Corda's Dart may not be an original Super Stocker, but its spirit makes it an equal. Al, having an intimate relationship with drag racing (as an owner of a NHRA track), knew of the fearsome Dart's heritage and sought to make one "that was a driver, but showed the history of [the] unique car."

True to form, Al's Dart is missing the side mirrors and backseat, but is replete with a radio-delete plate and vintage A-100 bus seats (which were used as factory race seats in 1968 due to their lack of adjustability and weight). A period-correct Super Sun-Tach tachometer and Hurst Dual-Gate shifts its beefy 727 TorqueFlite auto with a Dynamic 4,500 stall converter and reverse manual valvebody. This spins the 8 3/4 Sure Grip with 3.55 gears, giving the desired smoky results.

The infamous combination of the Hemi in the demure A-Body is what made the Super Stock Dart so intimidating. Starting with Mopar Performance's 526-inch, 4 1/2-inch big-bore block, Wheeler Racing Engines out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, filled it with Eagle rods, JE pistons, and a Lunati .550-inch lift roller cam. Topping the short-block are Mopar Performance's aluminum cylinder heads and the vintage magnesium cross-ram intake coupled with matching Holleys. The elephant expells the gases through Air Born-coated Hooker headers down through the 3-inch pipes.

Since Al's Dart is nearly more motor than car, he figured he'd need to be able to stop every now and again. Departing from the factory shoes, Al opted for a totally new disc brake setup by Stainless Steel Brake Company. Large cross-drilled discs were mounted to all four corners to give the little Dart dead-stop accurate halting power. Keeping the Dart to the ground are Weld Pro-Stars wrapped in 15x3 T/A Drag Runners up front, and 295-60R-15 T/A Drag Radials out back.

Wisconsin's Muscle Car Restorations handled all the bodywork and custom fabrication. Al mentioned that discovering the Dart's shell in Arizona aided in its rust-free condition, making the transition from relic to driver substantially easier. John Balow of MCR rattled off the grocery list of unique alterations: subframe connectors were made to keep the Dart in one piece along with a custom cage. Narrowing the rearend 6 inches, new spring relocators were made to clear the minitubs. Unable to locate an original lightweight front clip from a surviving Super Stocker, Al had a Kramer Automotive fiberglass hood installed, which completed the look. John also custom-tooled the radio/heater and rear-view mirror delete plates.

This juxtaposition of new technology, modern horsepower, and American heritage makes for one wild hybrid. Al Corda wanted to salute that history and enjoy it on a daily basis, which he is able to do.