Vintage road racer Dart '66

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J

JTT

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Greetings from snowy Finland!

During last few years I've been building a road racer Dart for vintage road racing. Now it's getting ready, and next summer the real action will start. So far I've mainly raced a Triumph Spitfire, so it's interesting to see how this beast will behave. The car is built to period FIA group 2 specification, which was also applied to early Trans Am. Group 44 Dart has been a great inspiration, even though my car isn't any exact copy of it.

It woud be interesting to know what similar cars there are around. What I know, there is one '64 in the UK and David Mapes is also racing one in USA. I've seen some photos of one another, but don't have any further info on that.

Regards,
Jari
 

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Great looking car. Hope you do well with it.
I like the windows in your shop.
 
There was a '65 Barracuda at the Goodwood Revival that was running in the top 3 with the Shelby GT350s (Mustangs). Same chassis & drivetrain as your Dart.
 
yes...quite like your shop.

I marshaled for years at a track (ran the gas station for a year) ..Are fender flares, bigger tires, stickers, hood tie down straps, duct tape over headlights, air scoops not prt of the packge ? It look like the perfect sleeper car...
 
Jari,
Besides Dave's zebra dart, the Bensons are running both a '66 Dart and Barracuda in SCCA's SPO. There will be a tunnel rum dual carbed '66 running in the upcoming West Coast Lemons event. I think there's an original survivor that occasionally runs vintage trans-am, and maybe a couple of others I can't recall at the moment.

- Matt
 
your probably gonna need dual breathers coming from the valve covers in front of the air cleaner.I raced figure eights for about 15 years and it was a major improvement to keeping oil inside the engine at higher rpms they tend to blow the rear main seal
 
Thanks for the comments and an interesting link for Benson's Dart.

It appears that early A-bodies are not too common in road racing. Here in Finland we have two '65 Barracudas and one Valiant in the pre-66 class. One of the Barracudas is very fast, beating Facons and Mustangs frequently. Please see some photos at:

http://senna.galleria.fi/kuvat/Ahve...tain+kisat+18.08.2013/Historic+F/DSC_0402.JPG

http://senna.galleria.fi/kuvat/Ahve...tain+kisat+18.08.2013/Historic+F/DSC_0395.JPG

http://senna.galleria.fi/kuvat/Ahve...apäivä/Historic+luokat+E-F-G-H-I/DSC_3202.JPG

My shop (or therapy room :) ) has previously been an industrial location, from where I have rented appox. 1000 sq. ft separated area. Now I have the Dart, Barracuda '65, Lincoln Continental Convertible '62, Mercedes SL and a few motorcycles there, so it's getting a bit tight though...

Yes, I have to develop the breather system a bit further. Our rules demand min. 3 litres catch tank and (from experience...) I want to have a system that keeps the oil from leaking even if the rubber side of the car would be pointing upwards.

Externaly the car is now basically in its final period corrcet form. Just racing numbers and tape over the head lights are still missing. It is still street legal, and yes, it is kind a sleeper... The noise reveals something though.

Regards,
Jari
 
That is one killer lookin Dart you have...welcome to the best MoPar site on the interweb :cheers:
 
Very nicely done! Welcome to FABO. Here's a few pics of some original racers like yours. Your car look like a lot of fun!
toolmanmike
 

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Very cool........hope you keep this going..........
 
Hi Jari!

Cross-referencing some posts made on other threads that really apply as well or better here:

Vintage Racing car preparation rules:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showpost.php?p=1970082938&postcount=25

Pump Gas Vintage Race 318 build:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showpost.php?p=1970232947&postcount=95

Note the above build is only good for about 310-350 RWHP, which is plenty to run safe relative lap times (not getting run over), but not enough to threaten the race gas burning guys for a win. I just spend one third the money on gas and about 25% less on engine build and maintenance for the same fun. :D

Vintage Race Weekend Report:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showpost.php?p=1970249762&
postcount=27

Hopefully some of this will help/interest some of our State side folks, the FIA rules are a little more restrictive (except maybe about tires).

Dave, Who's trying to stuff Goodyear 7.00-15 Blue Streaks under his Dart's *** now. :)
 
Hi Dave,

Thanks for the links. Yes, that's true that the FIA rules appear to be a bit more restrictive than what you are applying. For the engine basically the original homologation sheet is what's applied. All machining, pistons and camshaft are free, but adding any material to existing parts is strictly forbidden. So it means the original valve sizes, no roller rockers etc. However, as the camshaft and comp ratio is free, it's not totally hopeless. Best that I've heard, is around 390 hp from a FIA legal 273.

Regarding the tires, only DOT marking is required, and the minimum diameter of the tyre is limited. Michelin TB5 would be the ultimate choice, but veeery expensive: http://www.idealo.fr/prix/3249585/michelin-collection-tb5-f-270-45-vr15-86v.html
 
The Lemons '66 in action.....

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1ZzNgjxcCM"]2013 Lemons Arse-Freeze, POV 44 Dart, 566 pits self on 212, 444 hits 173, Porsche kamikazees 100 - YouTube[/ame]
 
Final Vintage Big Bore session at the 2013 VRG Turkey Bowl 12/01/2013:

[ame]http://youtu.be/5-IdjBWOOjA[/ame]

Dave
 
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlArx8mDt88"]66 Dart Road Racer Tour - YouTube[/ame]

Video is a quick walk around with some additional shots under the hood, as well as inside the car.

There is definately a shortage of road race prepped mopars out there. I understand it in areas where there are no tracks. But here in SoCal...there is no excuse. So many tracks to go to. Willow Springs, Button Willow, California Speedway, Chuckwillow by Palm Desert. Then up north you have Sears Point, Laguna Seca and Thunderhill all an easy short days drive.
 
So, summer is approaching also here by the north pole... Here's the Dart in its current livery. The first races will be in June, but I'll try to get some testing done before that.
 

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More road racing indeed. Currently working on a 73 Duster for track day events. Now if I only had time.
 
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