Rare 1967 Mr. Norm's 383 4 speed dart
"It was GG1 green with black vinyl top and originally was a 273 automatic car. I would sure like to find that one!"
"Mr. Norm took a 67 Dart GT with a 6 and an auto and put a 383 in it with hand built headers before Chrysler had a chance to build a 383 Barracuda."
Two posts apart, LOL! I think we know from talking to Norm that the car was a 273 car and he used some sort of factory manifold when he did the conversion. He always mentions a "heat shield" to protect the steering column so it must have been a tight fit on that side and the main reason why it wasn't done at the factory. What we need to do is find the guys that worked in the shop at that time and ask them.
Something doesn't add up.
What was the 67 Dart 383 with headers in the February 67 issue of Car Craft?
They don't mention a heat shield.
My understanding is that the 440 Dart was also built by Norm first in 68 using 383 cars, and that is when the factory manifold and heat shield was used, (and was the heat shield to protect the steering or was it the master cylinder?). I have an article around here somewhere that has a maroon 440 Dart and mentions the mc heat shield being on the car, (once again, my understanding from the materials I have read).
The CC article also states that Chrysler announced the 383 would be placed in the 67 Barracuda, as it would compete more strongly against the Mustang. This prompted Norm to stuff a 383 in a Dart.
Based on the info in the article, I find it hard to believe that Chrysler (who has come up with some pretty wild things) would be unable to imagine the 383 also fitting in the Dart, and then be surprised to see it actually installed.
The article seems to imply the announcement of the 383 in the Barracuda being prior to Norm placing a 383 in a Dart, and the Dart prior to Chrysler actually producing a 383 Barracuda. Who actually built what first we will probably never know.
I'm no expert, and I certainly believe there has been a large amount of bad info published since these cars were produced- so what's the deal with the Car Craft article from that period?
