RE: Perhaps a little off topic...

I’ve got to get in on this off topic Dart 340 discussion.. The very first brand new car I bought was a 1968 Dart GTS 340 automatic. I was supposed to be buying a 67 Charger but changed my mind when this GTS came in on a car carrier and it was cheaper than the left over Charger. It was the first week of Sept. 1967 so it had to be one of the first 68 GTS’s built. I put 500 break in miles on it the first week and then went to dinner with my wife at Pat’s Hot Dogs. (sort of the Arnold’s in Happy Days of my area) After eating we pulled out onto the highway and after stopping at the first light a 67 396 4 speed Chevelle pulled up on my right side. The light changed and every time he had to shift that 4 speed I got half a car length on him. The second light was a repeat and I beat him by half a car length again. At the 3^rd light he rolled down his window so I told my wife to roll her window down. He yelled over to me “All right! What the f*** does Mopar have out now?” (Remember there is no engine badges on a 68 Dart GTS 340) “Just a new 340 small block” I said. “Son of a Bitch” he yelled back and then he made a right turn never to be seen again.

That started my love affair with 340’s and some 100+ vehicles later I now have my bucket list car. Another 1968 Dart GTS 340 and since my original was one of the first 68’s built I guess it’s appropriate that this has to be one of the last. It has a build date of July 17^th, 1968 at the Los Angeles plant which is about a week before the plant would have shut down for model change.

Dan

From: 1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jimmie Marchio
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 11:16 AM
To: '62 to'65 List
Subject: Re: Perhaps a little off topic...

In '69-'70 I feared nothing on the street with my '69 Swinger 340 (4-spd, 3.91). Lost a few races but won most.

One night at Ft. Benning chose off a Road Runner. Had no worries as usually ate them up....pulled even in first gear...hmm, even in 2nd... now I starting to wonder...as usually I'm pulling ahead of RR's at this point....he left me like I was standing still in 3rd! Turns out it was one of the first 440-6bbls! I hadn't even known about them yet. Unfortunately he was a jerk about it. But still a fun memory! Ah! I loved my MOPAR... still do. Got that Dart down to 13.08, pure stock with those skinny stock D-70’s!

And that’s why I again have a Dart Swinger340.

On ‘62 to ‘65 content: The Dart replaced the 1963 Custom 880 ex-CHP car I had...413 but a BIG car.

Jimmie in Northern California
1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340-4spd, Go Mango in color (original paint)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12601467@N08/
1965 Plymouth Belvedere Station Wagon 360-Auto/To be a 440 (Current Project)
2006 RAM 3500 4X4 Mega Cab Cummins Diesel Pickup

From: Gary Pavlovich

Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 7:49 PM

To:

Subject: Re: Perhaps a little off topic...

Doug,

I took my Dart w/340 to the strip one night and beat all cars that were matched up with me till a GTO Judge appeared; man, I thought this is where I get creamed...I smoked him right off the line and pulled to over 10 car lengths ahead to turn a 12.8 @106mph through the muffs to his 13.8; saw him later at a “cruise-in” and he was gracious enough to publicy exclaim he was thoroughly outrun.

Gary P.