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Mr. Norm's 1968 Hemi Dart for 2007
The 1968 Hemi Dart was among the most notorious muscle cars ever sold in the Americas. Its 426 Hemi engine and light weight made it the car to beat, on the street or strip.
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Only a few were built in 1968; in 2007, "Mr. Norm" created a few more. Each car had a build book, production sheet, and build order, and was delivered by Mr. Norm himself, just as in 1968. The total remained under the original production run.
Mr. Norm has also created the prototype 383 Dart GTS and the M-Code 440 Dart, both of which were later put into production by Chrysler; and sold the majority of the legendary Hurst/Campbell-built 1968 Hemi Darts.
![]()
Built using 21st century parts and accessories, the GSS Hemi Dart should have better performance than the original, but it's based on the older cars. Mr. Norm brought original 1968 Darts into the shop, dismantled them, and examined each part to see whether it could be restored or needs replacement. When no parts were available, parts were hand-made with metals of the same alloy and weight. Restoration and build-up were handled by Blue Moon Motorsports.
![]()
The body shell was cleaned to bare metal on a rotisserie, and water treated with a rust inhibitor. Metal fabricators corrected original imperfections in the sheet metal by using hand dollies; any replacement parts were spot-welded at the factory seams. Mr. Norm's wrote that no fillers are used; instead, the metal was hand contoured to the original shape. Any epoxy primer started the painting process.
![]()
The body was hand sanded and primed three times. After a final wet sanding by hand, the body was painted in sealer, base paint, intermediate tinted clear, and final clear coats. The body was baked at 150 degrees for thirty minutes to cure the surface, and then allowed to air dry for 48 hours.
Two days later, the body was removed from the paint booth and wet sanded by hand with 2000 grit paper; then buffed.
![]()
The car then gained its new, stroked 426 Hemi™ dual quad engine, the driveline, upgraded suspension, brakes, and cooling systems, and related systems, with new wiring, plumbing, and restored gauges. The interior was sound and heat insulated; it gained a new headliner, dash pad, and auxiliary gauges, with five point seat restraints. Suspension components were preloaded and adjusted before road testing.
The GSS Hemi engine began with a new Chrysler 426 Hemi block - iron or 356-T6 aluminum - with a standard bore, hot tanked and magnufluxed. Rotating assembly components were billet steel, forged aluminum, or tool steel. These engines ran on pump gas, and were sold in 472 cubic inch and 528 cubic inch forms.
![]()
Bowler Performance Transmissions set up the 727 Torqueflite automatic or the A833 4-speed.
The Dana 60 was the mainstay of all Mopar muscle cars sporting the Max Wedge and Hemi powertrains; it was rugged, easy to build, and could accommodate just about any gear and posi combination. Mr. Norm's used new nodular units that were tougher than the originals, with 4.10 gears.
To minimize body twisting, Mr. Norm's GSS Hemi Darts used custom sub-frame connectors from Control Freak Suspensions. To accommodate the massive 285/40-17 Pirelli P-Zero ultra performance tires, the rear wheel houses were enlarged by three inches, and the stock spring mounts were relocated to stronger torque boxes made by Blue Moon Motorsports.
Mr. Norm demanded that the front suspension system use upper and lower control arms with coil over performance shocks. The whole K-member had to be crafted from Drawn Over Mandrel (DOM) seamless tube. The new front suspension system eliminated torsion bars, and used rack and pinion steering.
In the rear, leaf springs were changed to a split monoleaf spring supported by fully adjustable traction bars to change the pushing point on the car and help weight shift towards the rear while maintaining the correct pinion angle, eliminating any bind.
Prices for a GSS 1968 Hemi Dart in good condition ranged to nearly a half million dollars in 2007; the new 2007s sold by Mr Norm's started at $149,000, lower than many clone cars.
Specifications
Standard Engine Features
All engines come complete with Mr. Norm's GSS in-tank Aeromotive fuel pumps, pre- and post-filters, regulators, and stainless braided and hard lines. All fuel tanks are tig welded stainless steel (not fuel cells).
Oil coolers are standard. The S/S engine includes a competition oil cooler and competition oiling system. Dyno sheets are included.
The transmission includes:
TorqueFlite Automatic
Body
A4 - Interior Package - $ 3,900: Tuscany leather bucket seats, special pedal pads, billet gel cell battery tray in trunk, original courtesy lighting from Dart GT
A5 - Comfort Package - $6,900: heat and air, with polished billet serpentine system
A6 - Sound Package - $4,900: Sony Xplod™ AM/FM/CD with six speakers, dual amplifiers, subwoofer, power antenna
A7 - Power Accessory Package - $2,900: power doors, locks; security system
P1 - Show Paint Package - $ 13,200: paint underside, smooth firewall and engine bay; custom mix three-stage Planet Color™ paint
FG1 - Fiberglass Package - $ 1,800: Fiberglass S/S fenders
E75 - Engine Protection Package - $3,300 (Included With E74SS): dual high-output gel cell batteries, dual pass billet transmission oil cooler (not with A-833; $450 less), higher performance oil cooler
EX3 - Exhaust Package - $3,300 (Included With E74SS): ceramic coated mufflers and exhaust tubes, polished stainless steel exhaust tips (round or oval), side exit, electrically actuated "dumpers"
E74SS - GSS S/S Engine Package - $9,500: 426/528 Hemi with 700+ horsepower iron block, dual four-barrel Holley carbs, aluminum heads, solid lifters, headers, dyno sheet, higher performance oil cooler, chrome valve covers; runs on 91 octane gas. Dual output gel cell batteries, EX3 exhaust package, E75 engine protection package.
E74A - GSS Aluminum 426/472 Engine Package - Add $8,900 to Base Iron Block Hemi: 625+ horsepower, lighter weight.
E74A-SS - GSS Aluminum S/S 426/528 Engine Package - Add $8,900 to E74SS - GSS S/S Iron Block Hemi: 426/528, 720+ Horsepower. Chrome valve covers. Includes EX3 and E75.
GV1 - Gear Vendors Package - $3,500: Converts TorqueFlite to five speeds or A-833 to 7 speeds. Cuts RPM by 20% when active. Custom shortened driveshaft.
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The 1968 Hemi Dart was among the most notorious muscle cars ever sold in the Americas. Its 426 Hemi engine and light weight made it the car to beat, on the street or strip.
Only a few were built in 1968; in 2007, "Mr. Norm" created a few more. Each car had a build book, production sheet, and build order, and was delivered by Mr. Norm himself, just as in 1968. The total remained under the original production run.
Mr. Norm has also created the prototype 383 Dart GTS and the M-Code 440 Dart, both of which were later put into production by Chrysler; and sold the majority of the legendary Hurst/Campbell-built 1968 Hemi Darts.
Built using 21st century parts and accessories, the GSS Hemi Dart should have better performance than the original, but it's based on the older cars. Mr. Norm brought original 1968 Darts into the shop, dismantled them, and examined each part to see whether it could be restored or needs replacement. When no parts were available, parts were hand-made with metals of the same alloy and weight. Restoration and build-up were handled by Blue Moon Motorsports.
The body shell was cleaned to bare metal on a rotisserie, and water treated with a rust inhibitor. Metal fabricators corrected original imperfections in the sheet metal by using hand dollies; any replacement parts were spot-welded at the factory seams. Mr. Norm's wrote that no fillers are used; instead, the metal was hand contoured to the original shape. Any epoxy primer started the painting process.
The body was hand sanded and primed three times. After a final wet sanding by hand, the body was painted in sealer, base paint, intermediate tinted clear, and final clear coats. The body was baked at 150 degrees for thirty minutes to cure the surface, and then allowed to air dry for 48 hours.
Two days later, the body was removed from the paint booth and wet sanded by hand with 2000 grit paper; then buffed.
The car then gained its new, stroked 426 Hemi™ dual quad engine, the driveline, upgraded suspension, brakes, and cooling systems, and related systems, with new wiring, plumbing, and restored gauges. The interior was sound and heat insulated; it gained a new headliner, dash pad, and auxiliary gauges, with five point seat restraints. Suspension components were preloaded and adjusted before road testing.
The GSS Hemi engine began with a new Chrysler 426 Hemi block - iron or 356-T6 aluminum - with a standard bore, hot tanked and magnufluxed. Rotating assembly components were billet steel, forged aluminum, or tool steel. These engines ran on pump gas, and were sold in 472 cubic inch and 528 cubic inch forms.
Bowler Performance Transmissions set up the 727 Torqueflite automatic or the A833 4-speed.
The Dana 60 was the mainstay of all Mopar muscle cars sporting the Max Wedge and Hemi powertrains; it was rugged, easy to build, and could accommodate just about any gear and posi combination. Mr. Norm's used new nodular units that were tougher than the originals, with 4.10 gears.
To minimize body twisting, Mr. Norm's GSS Hemi Darts used custom sub-frame connectors from Control Freak Suspensions. To accommodate the massive 285/40-17 Pirelli P-Zero ultra performance tires, the rear wheel houses were enlarged by three inches, and the stock spring mounts were relocated to stronger torque boxes made by Blue Moon Motorsports.
Mr. Norm demanded that the front suspension system use upper and lower control arms with coil over performance shocks. The whole K-member had to be crafted from Drawn Over Mandrel (DOM) seamless tube. The new front suspension system eliminated torsion bars, and used rack and pinion steering.
In the rear, leaf springs were changed to a split monoleaf spring supported by fully adjustable traction bars to change the pushing point on the car and help weight shift towards the rear while maintaining the correct pinion angle, eliminating any bind.
Prices for a GSS 1968 Hemi Dart in good condition ranged to nearly a half million dollars in 2007; the new 2007s sold by Mr Norm's started at $149,000, lower than many clone cars.
Specifications
| Standard Hemi | S/S Hemi | Aluminum | Aluminum S/S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cubic Inches: | Stroked to 472 | Stroked to 528 | Stroked to 472 | Stroked to 528 |
Horsepower: | 600+ | 700+ | 625+ | 720+ |
Torque: | 525+ | 600+ | 550+ | 600+ |
Fuel Required: | 91 Octane Pump Gas |
Standard Engine Features
- 472" 4340 Steel Billet Crankshaft - 4.150" Stroke
- 472" Forged Pistons with Tool Steel Wrist Pins and Speed-Pro File Fit Moly Rings
- 472" Chrysler Sportsman II H-Beam Rods and Bearings
- Hemi Custom Ground Solid Cam & Lifters
- Hemi Billet Roller Timing Chain Set with Chrome Timing Cover
- Aluminum Damper
- Electronically Balanced Rotating Assembly
- 426 Hemi Aluminum Heads
- Hemi Valves:
- Intake - 2.250 x .311 Square Lock
- Exhaust - 1.940 x .311 Square Lock
- Titanium Retainers with 1.54" Double Valve Springs
- Complete Hemi Rocker System
- Chrome Moly Pushrods
- Black Crinkle Finish Hemi Valve Covers
- Cast Aluminum Cross Ram 2 x 4 Intake
- Holley Hemi Four Barrel Caruburetors (2) Modified for Performance
- Hurst / Mr. Gasket Approved Billet Distributor
- Accel Hemi Plug Wire Set - Black
- Hemi Oil Pump and Aluminum Oil Pan
- Balanced & Blueprinted
- Three-inch mufflers, steel exhaust tips (baloney cut with side exit)
- 528" MP Premium Forged Competition Crankshaft with 4.150" Stroke
528" JE Lightweight Forged Competition Pistons
528" Custom Competition 7075 Billet Aluminum Rods
Custom Competition "896" Series Tool Steel Pins
Clevite Competition Babbit Bearings
Speed-Pro File Fit Competition Moly Rings- 528" Custom Grind Competition Solid Roller Cam & Lifters
- Hemi Billet Double Roller Competition Timing Chain Set with Chrome Timing Cover
- 426 Hemi Aluminum Heads Ported to Competition Stage III for Maximum Flow
- Black Crinkle Finish or Chrome Hemi Valve Covers
- Cast Aluminum Competition Cross Ram 2 x 4 Intake
- Holley Hemi Four Barrel Carburetors (2). Highly Modified to S/S Competition Specifications.
- S/S Hemi Competition Oiling System
All engines come complete with Mr. Norm's GSS in-tank Aeromotive fuel pumps, pre- and post-filters, regulators, and stainless braided and hard lines. All fuel tanks are tig welded stainless steel (not fuel cells).
Oil coolers are standard. The S/S engine includes a competition oil cooler and competition oiling system. Dyno sheets are included.
The transmission includes:
TorqueFlite Automatic
- New competition 727 automatic transmission case; new competition steel components, seals and gaskets
- High energy competition intermediate band
- 4.2 Ratio competition band lever strut
- New Hemi governor weight
- Reinforced competition intermediate band strut
- Heavy duty reverse band
- Completely rebuilt competition valve body with recalibration kit to retain kickdowns
- Bolt-in competition style sprag
- Competition hardened steel input shaft
- Custom built Hemi converter with 7/16" bolt pads
- New competition pump gear set
- New cooler line fittings
- Updated billet reverse servo
- Four pinion competition rear planet gear set
- New Hurst shifter
- Original transmission case
- Competition input shaft roller set
- Input shaft: 18 Spline - 21 Tooth drive gear
- New Lakewood Hemi bell housing
- New Hurst competition Hemi shifter
- Hays competition clutch kit and pressure plate
- New competition bearings, seals, bearing retainer, pinion seal, cluster gear
- New billet 6061 aluminum competition shifter mounting plates and hardware
- New countershaft roller & spacer kit, CTW countershaft thrust washer
- Hurst 833 Hemi linkage rod set
- New reverse gearshift lever
- Competition shift fork 304 steel
- Competition synchronizer key
Body
- Modified Wheel Tubs
- Black Lift Off Hemi Dart Fiberglass Hood (Includes Show Stands) With Stainless Steel Hood Pins
- Black Hemi Hood Scoop
- Original Dart Steel Front Fenders
- 17" Mr. Norm's GSS / Hurst Signature Five Spoke Wheels, With Vehicle VIN and Mr. Norm's Production Number.
- Spare Tire on Mr. Norm's GSS / Hurst Signature Five Spoke Wheel.
- GSS Tool & Jack Kit
- Ultra Performance Pirelli P-Zero Z-Rated Steel Belted Radial Front and Rear Tires
- Signature Tri-Power Disc Brakes Front and Rear with Integrated Parking Brake. 13" Slotted & Dimpled Rotors & GSS Logo
- Billet Stainless Steel Brake & Fuel Line Clamps and Brackets
- GSS Engraved Billet Master Cylinder
- New nodular Dana 60 with 4.10 gears and either Detroit Locker or Power-Lock Posi
- Custom Performance Driveshaft with Driveshaft Safety Hoop & Competition U-Joints
- Original bucket or bench seats, with bolstered leather surfaces; rear seat may be kept or deleted.
- Hurst floor shifter
- Restored dash and white-face gauges; vintage-style AutoMeter tach, column or dash mounted
- Oil pressure, oil temp, water temp gauges
- Badge and authentication plate
- Authentic carpet or original S/S vinyl floor covers
- No radio or heater
- Upholstered door panels, package tray, new headliner
- 1968 Dodge palette, hand buffed
- High intensity headlamps
A4 - Interior Package - $ 3,900: Tuscany leather bucket seats, special pedal pads, billet gel cell battery tray in trunk, original courtesy lighting from Dart GT
A5 - Comfort Package - $6,900: heat and air, with polished billet serpentine system
A6 - Sound Package - $4,900: Sony Xplod™ AM/FM/CD with six speakers, dual amplifiers, subwoofer, power antenna
A7 - Power Accessory Package - $2,900: power doors, locks; security system
P1 - Show Paint Package - $ 13,200: paint underside, smooth firewall and engine bay; custom mix three-stage Planet Color™ paint
FG1 - Fiberglass Package - $ 1,800: Fiberglass S/S fenders
E75 - Engine Protection Package - $3,300 (Included With E74SS): dual high-output gel cell batteries, dual pass billet transmission oil cooler (not with A-833; $450 less), higher performance oil cooler
EX3 - Exhaust Package - $3,300 (Included With E74SS): ceramic coated mufflers and exhaust tubes, polished stainless steel exhaust tips (round or oval), side exit, electrically actuated "dumpers"
E74SS - GSS S/S Engine Package - $9,500: 426/528 Hemi with 700+ horsepower iron block, dual four-barrel Holley carbs, aluminum heads, solid lifters, headers, dyno sheet, higher performance oil cooler, chrome valve covers; runs on 91 octane gas. Dual output gel cell batteries, EX3 exhaust package, E75 engine protection package.
E74A - GSS Aluminum 426/472 Engine Package - Add $8,900 to Base Iron Block Hemi: 625+ horsepower, lighter weight.
E74A-SS - GSS Aluminum S/S 426/528 Engine Package - Add $8,900 to E74SS - GSS S/S Iron Block Hemi: 426/528, 720+ Horsepower. Chrome valve covers. Includes EX3 and E75.
GV1 - Gear Vendors Package - $3,500: Converts TorqueFlite to five speeds or A-833 to 7 speeds. Cuts RPM by 20% when active. Custom shortened driveshaft.
Home •
Engines •
Reviews •
Chrysler 1904-2018 •
Upcoming •
Trucks •
Cars
Spread the word via <!--Tweet or--> Facebook!
We make no guarantees regarding validity or accuracy of information, predictions, or advice - .
Copyright © VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, and Mopar are trademarks of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
