If you look at the brochures, the Dodge Dart GTS was only available for two model years—1968 and 1969. But true Mopar enthusiasts know the GTS was available for three.
Aside of the Super/Stock “D-Dart” in 1966, the top engine and trim level for the redesigned 1967 Dart continued to be the 235-horsepower 273 for the Dart GT. However, big-blocks started appearing in pony cars in 1967, so there should have been no reason why the Dart couldn’t have a big-block too. Alas, the 383 was quite a tight fit.
That didn’t stop Norm Kraus, the owner of Grand-Spaulding Dodge in metropolitan Chicago. He had his right-hand man install a 383 in a Dart. It was a rocket, so they drove it to Detroit and had the Dodge Boys check it out. Several months later, Dodge introduced the 1967 Dart GTS.
The GTS was simply a Dart GT with a 280-horsepower 383. Why only 280 horses when a Coronet had 325? Restrictive exhaust manifolds. No room for power steering either. But, for 1968, Dodge officially released the GTS as its own model and made the all-new 340 its standard powerplant. The 383 returned, now rated at 300 horses due to new heads. That would increase to 330 horses for 1969 as Dodge continued to figure out how to max the engine with the compromises inherent with the shoehorning.
This 1968 Dodge Dart GTS is owned by Matt Gause. It features the optional 383, four-speed manual, optional “bumblebee” stripe (a longitudinal stripe was standard), and hood with simulated intakes. Enjoy the above video as Muscle Car Campy guides us on what makes the Dart GTS such an interesting car.
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