Dodge Dart 440: Street Terror Revived

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In 1969 Chrysler’s reputation for producing purpose-built street-strip terrors was perfectly embodied in the exceptionally rare 1969 Dodge Dart GTS 440. Prepared by the Hurst-Campbell Corporation under license from Dodge, the GTS 440 was assembled from 383-specification Dart GTS cars and four-barrel 440/375 HP Magnum. Hurst-Campbell Corporation was the original company co-founded by George Hurst in 1958.


Images: Mecum Auctions

A total of 640 1968 and 1969 Dart GTS 440 coupes were built as part of the factory's Super Stock program. However, according to the DuPont Registry, of those originally manufactured, only 100 have been accounted for. One of the most original examples will be going to auction this weekend at the Mecum Muscle Cars & More event in Monterey, CA.



Listed as #417 in the GTS registry, this Dart has never been tubbed or modified and retains all its original body structure, sheet metal and engine, including the all-important original 440 block with the correct “M” code stamping. The Hurst-Campbell Corporation built these cars under license from Dodge, starting from 383-specification Dart GTS cars and adding the 440-4 bbl Magnum engines.

Dodge strengthened the suspension when the 383 was ordered, increasing the diameter of the front torsion bars and front sway bars. The resulting vehicle was sold ex-warranty and with manual steering, because the power steering pump wouldn't fit under the hood. In addition, the regular "heavy-duty" six-leaf rear springs and E70x14 tires were unchanged, which made spirited driving of the car and adventure in itself.



For the 1969 model year, the performance Darts displayed a blackout grille with just a single, horizontal bar, as well as a blacked out rear panel between the tail lights. With its 440-cid V8 engine, 4-barrel carburetor, 375 flywheel horsepower and 480 ft-lbs torque, 727 Torqueflite transmission and 3:55 performance rear axle, this coupe could take you from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds, and run the 1/4 mile in 13.3 seconds @ 107 mph.

Those interested in following the disposition of this particular piece of Dodge history can watch as it comes to auction around 4:40 p.m. PST on Saturday, August 14, live on HD Theater, a Discovery Network. For more information, check out the web site.




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