What Did A 'BO29' Look Like When You Picked It Up At The Factory.

[69 Cuda 440]

This Is What We're Talking About.

http://www.bangshift.com/assets/images/news/2011/August/Drag Race Photos and Ads_0026.jpg

 

[ssba]

I didn't see a date on that old Fenton AD. Was that 1969 at Indy?
I never get tired of seeing the old photo's of these cars.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

I didn't see a date on that old Fenton AD. Was that 1969 at Indy?
I never get tired of seeing the old photo's of these cars.

No,

That was at the Indy Nationals in 1968.
Arlen's BO29 'SS/B' was lettered with 'East Town Chrysler-Plymouth'.

Arlen ran a 10.64 {-.19 under} against the 10.83 'SS/B' National Record in the Super/Stock Eliminator Final to capture the Indy Nationals Championship

The other BO29 was lettered with 'Jegs', which he used at the
1969 NHRA Winternationals, and won with at the 1969 AHRA Winternationals.

 

[Mike S]

Dave

"The Skunkworks Team"

* Dick Maxwell
* Tom Hoover
* Bob Tarozzi
* Ted Spehar
* Dan Knapp
* Larry Knowlton > 'Chief Mechanic'
* John Bauman > 'Fuel Systems Engineer'
* Richard 'Dick' Chrysler > 'Project Director for Hurst Performance Research'

Once the cars were completed, John Bauman would 'dial-in' the Holley 770 CFM
Carburetors.

Jerry Gross of 'Plymouth Sales and Marketing' was the 'Test Driver' for Plymouth.

Jerry Gross performed test runs on 'most' of the completed BO29 cars in the 'lot'
at the Hurst Facility at;

1191 East 11 Mile Road
Madison Heights, Michigan

Initially, the BO29 was to be offered at a Retail Price of $5495 for
'approved' racers.



Below, is the 'Test Mule' in complete form {February 20, 1968}
with the Fiberglass Hood Scoop and 'single' center support pin.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_p9DcQCK5BE/UO8EJqku7II/AAAAAAAACuw/r97OflXkvAs/s400/SS+cuda+a.jpg

You left out another Woodward garage member Tom Tignanelli Test driver/Mechanic

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Mike S.

Yes there were a few others involved in the 'Skunkworks Program' a well.

* Tom Tignanelli
* Dan Mancini
* Ron Mancini

 

[superbird74]

Here was my attempt to recreate 1968. My 68 Polara and Dart on our way to the Garlits show in '11 or '12

 

[69 Cuda 440]

The other BO29 that went to Canada.

http://classracer.com/classforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=22268&d=1385606071

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Bob Tarozzi

Chief Engineer for the 1968 Race Hemi Program

Bob had put together a '28-Point' check list for the Barracuda 383's and Dart GT's that were sent over to the Hurst Performance Facility in Madison Heights, Michigan.

Barracuda Weight List of Components before Retro-Fit
* Steel Hood .................... #58 lbs.
* Hood Hinge Assembly ..... #11 lbs. {each}
* Steel Fender .................. #25 lbs. {each}
* Radiator Support ............ #24 lbs.
* Front Bumper ................ #23 lbs.

* Steel Door ..................... #31 lbs. {each}
* Steel Door {outer skin}.... #13 lbs. {each}
* Window Register .............. #8 lbs. {each}
* Door Side Glass .............. #17 lbs. {each}
* Quarter Glass.................. #13 lbs. {each}

* Radio .............................. #8 lbs.
* Heater/Blower ................. #33 lbs.

* Front Seat ....................... #34 lbs. {each}
* Rear Seat {back upper} .... #28 lbs.
* Rear Seat {base lower} ..... #13 lbs.
* Seat Belts {rear} .............. #3 lbs. {each}

* Arm Rests ........................ #3 lbs. {each}
* Outside Mirror .................. #3 lbs.
* Console............................ #11 lbs.
* Carpet Underlayment ........ #14 lbs.
* Sound Deadener .............. #14 lbs.

 

[BB-Dave]

Bob Tarozzi

Chief Engineer for the 1968 Race Hemi Program

Bob had put together a '28-Point' check list for the Barracuda 383's and Dart GT's
that were sent over to the Hurst Performance Facility in Madison Heights, Michigan.

Of coarse we want to see this '28 point' check list!!

 

[69 Cuda 440]

BB Dave

I can tell you, that Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin picked up the '1st' BO29
on Monday ~ March 4, 1968.

#1 > BO29 M8B 299110
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack Werst and Trailer were right behind them.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Beach Man

Some of the 1968 A-Body 'Race Hemi' Costs

.....................Barracuda.........Dart

Bill Stiles ........... $3700
Dave Wren ......... $4300
Judy Lilly ........... $4600
Alfred Cerrone .... $5214

Charlie Castaldo ................... $4255
Joe Jill ................................. $5146
Richard Shipley .................... $4600 {Purchased from Grand-Spaulding}
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: The typical cost to prepare one of these cars was usually around $3300.

Note; Charlie Castaldo purchased his car 'direct' from the Factory,
and put in $3300 to prepare the LO23 for racing.

Note; Judy Lilly had invested $8000 into her car {Car Cost and preparation}.

Note; Grand-Spaulding {Mr. Norm's} purchased '13' LO23 cars, and
sold them for a price between $4600 and $4995, depending on
the inventory.

Note: Arlen Vanke got his '1st' BO29 for $1.00 from the Factory. Arlen wanted a '2nd' BO29, and had to purchase it from Wickes Motor Sales in Zainesville, Ohio for the List Price of $5700.

 

[Big Dad]

 

[Dartnut]

Is there any pics of the back ends of these cars on delivery?

 

[440outlawdart]

theres lots of info on the hemi darts and cudas on classracer.com,in nostaligia stock and super stock,and you will see the hemi dart and hemi cuda threads

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Is there any pics of the back ends of these cars on delivery?

Good Question

 

[SSing]

Bob Tarozzi

Chief Engineer for the 1968 Race Hemi Program

Bob had put together a '28-Point' check list for the Barracuda 383's and Dart GT's...

Dart GT´s ??... Was the Dart´s a mix sort of, between the GTS in terms of the 383, and the door and side panels being from the GT`s
I thought may be the 383 GTS was chosen because of the torque boxes. Than again I have seen Darts lack of front torque boxes.

A clarification of how the cars where equipped when arriving at Hurst would be interesting.
If this already has been done, I apologize, and a hint towards that direction would be kind...

Thank you
Stefan

 

[69 Cuda 440]

1968 LO 23

Yes,

The Interior Door Panels were 'mixed', a combination between the Dart GT/GTS, and the 'Dart 270'.

 

[SSing]

1968 LO 23

Yes,

The Interior Door Panels were 'mixed', a combination between the Dart GT/GTS, and the 'Dart 270'.

Yes, OK I suppose the GTS came to Hurst with no door panels to start with...
For what reason was the GTS chosen as the base car?

 

[69 Cuda 440]

The cars started at Hamtramck.

With '28' specific items to be deleted, and '8' other items added.

Then the rolling bodies were trucked over to;
Hurst Facility
Eleven Mile Road

Less;
* Engine
* Transmission
* Exhaust System
* Doors
* Fenders
* Hood
* etc.

The LO23 Darts were equipped with the 'standard' steering wheel
from the Dart 270, Dart GT and Dart GTS, which was;

Black color-keyed with the partial 'Horn Ring'.

The interior side-panels for the Door and Back Seat area
were from the 'Dart 270' {less the Medallion}.

The 'Dart 270' panels had two sets of vertical pleats.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

As You Can See

1968 LO23 Hemi Dart

Was delivered with 'Dart 270' interior door panels {less} the Medallion.

Note; The vertical pleats.

And, all LO23 cars were equipped with the 'standard' > 'Dart 270',
'Dart GT' and 'Dart GTS' steering wheel.

http://ccco.s3.amazonaws.com/social_photos/2/6/6/1/2661/2661_6_low_res.png

 

[SSing]

As You Can See

1968 LO23 Hemi Dart

Was delivered with 'Dart 270' interior door panels {less} the Medallion.

Note; The vertical pleats.

And, all LO23 cars were equipped with the 'standard' > 'Dart 270',
'Dart GT' and 'Dart GTS' steering wheel.

http://ccco.s3.amazonaws.com/social_photos/2/6/6/1/2661/2661_6_low_res.png

Yes appreciate any facts you can give about these cars. but the Dart GT thing kind of confuse me. ('28-Point' check list) as it either has to be a GTS or a GT, that was delivered to Hurst. And the GT´s did not have any torque boxes.
The way I got it, is car was a GTS, but a lot of parts was deleted as you mention, (good info) and later put back, or was on, from other Dart models. Now if it had not been for the torque boxes, the 270 or GT model could have been chosen I guess? Or was there any other reason the GTS was chosen?

I don´t want to be cocky here or anything. I know my status in this forum, but this is my chance to learn facts about this cars.
You know I get questions about this cars here i Sweden, from people who believe in the miss leading info, that has been build up over the past 46 years...
Thank You 69 cuda 440

 

[autoxcuda]

Yes appreciate any facts you can give about these cars. but the Dart GT thing kind of confuse me. ('28-Point' check list) as it either has to be a GTS or a GT, that was delivered to Hurst. And the GT´s did not have any torque boxes.
The way I got it, is car was a GTS, but a lot of parts was deleted as you mention, (good info) and later put back, or was on, from other Dart models. Now if it had not been for the torque boxes, the 270 or GT model could have been chosen I guess? Or was there any other reason the GTS was chosen?

I don´t want to be cocky here or anything. I know my status in this forum, but this is my chance to learn facts about this cars.
You know I get questions about this cars here i Sweden, from people who believe in the miss leading info, that has been build up over the past 46 years...
Thank You 69 cuda 440

I don't know if you should call the body anything specifically. It had front torque boxes that were only on GT and GTS convertibles too. Not available on any hardtop model.

And the cars did not have stainless drip molding either. That meant they got the low model 170 type little corner molding that goes between the natural front and rear drip rail. That was painted primer with the body before it got to Hurst. And BTW it is different than the stainless pieces as it's more narrow.

Here's an example of the non stainless only drip rail corner molding (happens to be 69 Swinger):

 

[SSing]

Interesting news... thank you autoxcuda. I always thought all 383´s had them both rear and front. I guess the front box was added at Hamatrack prior shipping to Hurst than?? On most of them anyway, as I have seen pictures of originals not having the front boxes...
Little I know but now I can put the torque box issue aside.
Also very good picture of the drip rail corner molding...

 

[69 Cuda 440]

SS Ing

1968 Dart '270' .............. LH23
1968 Dart GT ................. LP23
1968 Dart GTS 340 ......... LS23 P8B
1968 Dart GTS 383 ......... LS23 H8B
1968 Dart Super Stock .... LO23 M8B

The Darts 'deemed' for Super Stock were off the Dart line,
but had many the items deleted, which included;
* Hood
* Hood Hinge Assembly
* Fenders
* Side Window Glass
* Window Registers
* Doors
* Exterior {Left Side} Mirror
* Interior Panels
* Arm Rests
* Trunk
* Roof Drip Edge Molding
* Seats
* Seat Belts {Except Driver Side}
* Jute Backing under the Carpeting
* Passenger Sun Visor
* Exhaust System
* Jack Assembly
* Spare Tire

Off course, sans the;
* Engine
* Transmission
* Radiator
* Heater
* Radio
* Antenna
* Body Sealer
* Battery Mount
* Battery Wiring
* 5/16" Fuel Line

 

[autoxcuda]

SS Ing

1968 Dart '270' .............. LH23
1968 Dart GT ................. LP23
1968 Dart GTS 340 ......... LS23 P8B
1968 Dart GTS 383 ......... LS23 H8B
1968 Dart Super Stock .... LO23 M8B

The Darts 'deemed' for Super Stock were off the Dart GTS 383 line,
but had all the GTS items deleted, which included;
* Hood
* Hood Hinge Assembly
* Fenders
* Side Window Glass
* Window Registers
* Doors
* Exterior {Left Side} Mirror
* Interior Panels
* Arm Rests
* Trunk 'GTS' Emblem
* Trunk Deck Lid Panel
* Roof Drip Edge Molding
* Seats
* Seat Belts {Except Driver Side}
* Passenger Sun Visor
* Medallion on C-Pillar
* Exhaust System
* Jack Assembly
* Spare Tire

Off course, sans the;
* Engine
* Transmission
* Radiator
* Heater
* Radio
* Antenna
* Body Sealer
* Battery Mount
* Battery Wiring
* 5/16" Fuel Line

Where was this "GTS Line"?

Same assembly lines built /6 cars to 383 GTS's.

That's how you find 318 car with hemi car buildsheets. The two cars had the same color interior and near/next to each other on the same assembly line. So the line worker just picked handiest seats the color they needed.

If you delete the trunk GTS emblems and trunk trim, the whole trunk lid is different. Sheet metal was pre stamped for holes required for emblems and trim. So the bare trunk itself was not an "GTS" trunk, it was a 170 trunk.

GTS roofs without vinyl roofs did not get the medallion on the C pillar. (IIRC, only vinyl roof cars got medallion)

If you just deleted the "* Roof Drip Edge Molding" there would be a gap between the front and rear drip rails. You can see in the delivered Darts, there is not a gap. So they put the lower level 170 drip rail corner pieces on the bare body prior to primer.

When you look at all the items substituted, and swapped between models, swapped body types (conv frt frame plates?),and just left off....it's just a conglomeration and combination of parts.

The shell delivered to Hurst was unique and specially made for this project. It's no more one thing, than less of another.