'68 HEMI Dart

I am building a VERY faithful copy of a '68 Hemi Dart. I have a few questions.

What size tire was correct? Brand?

Was the underside of the car painted, or was it primer like the rest of the body?

What was used as a rear package tray/cover, and did they use the standard "board stock" behind the rear seat?

I know the front was van seats and there was no back seat, how did the carpet go?

Where can I find more info on this car?

Thank you for all your help, This is an awesome site!!!

Here's some info I've found

CHRYSLER ANNOUNCEMENT LETTER
1968 SUPER STOCK BARRACUDA

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February 20, 1968
TO: All Plymouth Dealers

Subject: 1968 Hemi Barracuda Super Stock



The Chrysler-Plymouth Division offers for the 1968 models a 426 Hemi-Powered Barracuda Fastback for use in
supervised acceleration trials. These cars will weigh approximately 3,000 pounds and have been designed to meet
the 1968 specifications of the major sanctioning drag strip organizations.



The Hemi-Powered Barracudas will be available through production is limited quantities in March. To order this
vehicle, use the Barracuda Order Form and specify Body Code BO29 and Transmission Code, either 4 Speed
Manual, Code 393, or Automatic, Code 395. No other specifications are necessary.



Description of Components

426 cu. In. 8-cylinder engine with dual 4-barrel carburetors- 12.5 to 1
compression ratio.

Cross Ram Intake manifold.

1 11/16" x 1 11/16" Holley carburetors.

Competition Hooker headers, exhaust pipes, and mufflers.

High capacity oil pump.

Roller timing chain (reduced timing chain stretch for more consistent
engine performance).

Mechanical valve gear.

Dual breaker distributor.

Transistor ignition.

Metal core type ignition wires.

Unsilenced air cleaners.

Deep groove fan drive pulleys.

Heavy duty radiator.

Aluminum seven-blade fan equipped with Viscous drive.

Special offset 15" rear wheels.

Chrysler-built 8 ¾" large stem pinion gear set, and heavy-duty axle
shafts with automatic transmission (4.86 axle ration).

Dana-built 9 ¾" heavy-duty axle with manual transmission (4.88 axle
ration).

Sure-Grip differential.

135 Amp. Hr. battery (located in rear compartment).

Heavy-duty high control rear suspension.

Front disc brakes 41/2" Bolt Circle.

Fiberglass front fenders.

Fiberglass hood with scoop.

Light weight steel doors.

Light weight front bumper.

Light weight side window glass.

High capacity fuel lines.

Business coupe interior (2 bucket seats - no rear seat).



For Manual Transmission Only



Special heavy-duty 10 ½" clutch and flywheel.

Safety steel clutch housing.

Competition "Slick Shift" 4-speed transmission.

Hurst remote mounted floor-shift unit with reverse lockout.



For Automatic Transmission Only



High stall speed torque converter (large drive lugs and 7/16"
diameter attaching screws).

Heavy-duty manual shift TorqueFlite transmission.

Hurst floor-mounted shift unit.



Please Note:



The following items are deleted on this body type:

Heater, Body Sealer and Sound Deadeners, Silence Pads, Outside Mirrors, Right Side Seat Belt and Body Color
Paint.

NO OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT OF ANY KIND CAN BE ORDERED

The policy of Chrysler Corporation is one of continual improvement in design and manufacture, wherever
possible, to insure a still finer car. Hence, specifications, equipment and prices are subject to change without
notice.



These vehicles are intended to use in supervised acceleration trials and other competitive events, therefore, they
will be sold without warrant. Special stickers will be provided for plant installation (attached to left "A" post)
which will read as follows: "This vehicle was not manufactured for use on public streets, roads or highways and
does not conform to Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.



All customer orders must be accompanied by a signed disclaimer (sample attached) indicating that the purchaser
understands that this vehicle is sold without warranty and does not conform to Federal Vehicle Safety Standards.



Any prospective customer who desires to purchase one of these maximum performance vehicles should be made
aware of the following characteristics which make them unsuitable for general use.



A high idle speed is required to insure adequate lubrication, minimize roughness, and to keep the
engine from stalling.

The modified intake manifold causes a rich surging condition, misfiring and unstable engine
operation in cold weather, which makes ordinary street driving extremely difficult and it is not
recommended for this use.

Higher than normal oil consumption will be encountered because of increased lubrication to the
valve train and cylinder walls.

The carburetors are calibrated for maximum power and a high numerical axle ration is used for
acceleration. As a result, the gas mileage is considerably less than for a conventional car.

Engine noise would be objectionable due to increased piston clearance and mechanical valve
tappet clearance.

The ignition system is designed for optimum engine output and must be kept in top condition. This
makes it necessary to inspect, adjust and replace the spark plugs and ignition points more
frequently than would be necessary on a standard engine.

On car equipped with automatic transmission, band adjustment must be made frequently.

Due to performance characteristics, maintenance and operating expense will be high since premium
fuel is required and frequent oil changes are a MUST.

Does not conform to Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.



Warranty and Policy Coverage



Any customer purchasing this model vehicle should be advised that due to the expected use, the vehicle is sold
"as is" and the 24 month or 24,000 mile vehicle warranty coverage, the 5 year or 50,000 mile Power Train Warranty
coverage, or any other warranty coverage (including, but not limited to the implied warranties of fitness for
purpose intended or merchantability) will not apply to the vehicle. The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for
the manner in which such vehicles operate.



Any repairs or adjustments which you believe warranty factory participation should be brought to the attention of
your Regional Service Office where such requests will be handled on individual merits.



Attached is a form letter (to be prepared on your letterhead) which should be thoroughly understood and signed
by each prospective purchaser and attached to your order for each Hemi Barracuda Super Stock. The purpose of
the letter is to explain the normal operation characteristics of these vehicles and clarify that the warranty
coverage’s do not apply. Be sure a letter in this form, signed by your customer, is included with your order so
there will be no delay.

1968 Hemi Barracuda



It was inevitable that Chrysler would build the Hemi Barracuda. For the past four years, drag racers had been
gutting Barracudas and dropping in 392 and 426 Elephant Engines. Since Chrysler had enjoyed tremendous
success on the dragstrips in Super Stock and Unlimited Fuel since 1963, the decision to continue that domination
by building a factory super stocker (with some assistance from Hurst) was a natural.

The S/S Hemi Barracuda was assembled by Chrysler as a package and then shipped to Hurst. Although the
number varies from source to source, at least fifty and possibly as many as seventy-five Barracudas were shipped
to Hurst’s facility in Detroit. The conversions were coordinated by Dick Maxwell at Chrysler and Richard Chrysler
at Hurst. As delivered to the dealers, the cars had fiberglass hoods and fenders, while the front bumper and doors
were light-gauge steel. The interiors were gutted and Bostrom driver seats installed.

To squeeze the mighty Elephant into the Barracuda’s tight engine bay, some modifications had to be made under
the hood. The battery was moved to the trunk, and the right shock tower was moved, as was the master cylinder.
Hurst also installed custom headers, shift linkages for four-speed cars and special rear-axle assemblies. Off the
transport trailer the cars were delivered on street tires. All that was needed to make the car competitive was slicks,
a deeper oil pan (a small pan was installed for shipping), camshaft and valvetrain.

WELCOME!

Steve, I have several pictures of my bosses original unrestored Hemi Dart on my computer at work if you send me a e-mail I will send you pictures of the areas in question. I can tell you that the underside of the super stock cars were painted black just like the trunks and engine compartments. I took several pictures last year and posted them here on Moparts. Sounds like a nice project let me know if I can help. Here is a picture of the car that I have on my home pc.

Thanks! what brand tires? I need to place my order. Coker tire? where to buy vintage tires?

goodyear powercushion I believe.
Try a search as a member posted some info on Hemi Darts a while back that included tire type and sizes. He got alot of info from Lou Mancini.

The announcement letter states: "Front disc brakes 4 1/2" Bolt Circle."

I wonder how they accomplished that in the absence of the later parts now commonly used.

They used 68/69 B-body disc brakes, at least that's what it looks like on the LO23 car locally.

I would try Reed Koeppe in Kearney Nebraska, I think his moparts name is MelroseVI. Another board member who has an extensive archive would be Mark Janaky. I know I mispelled his last name.

Thanks for all the great pic's. Ive been busy in the garage. Hope to post some pictures soon.

they made a special run,i had an NOS pair, i sold em to a boy in miami who had a 68 hemi dart....

Quote:

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they made a special run,i had an NOS pair, i sold em to a boy in miami who had a 68 hemi dart....

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who you callin a boy? Jerry that you? Chris here. How ya doin?

Rotors were small bearing large bolt pattern and chryco used them from the Transam A body cars. You'll never find a set! take my word for it. Get a set of Wilwoods.

front tires were 6.75X15's not sure what the rears were.

If ya have anymore Q's just PM me,
DC