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Stephan Fournier '68 GTS
Stephan bought this Dart in 1998 from a friend. The car was in great
shape and just needed a lot of TLC. Stephan was able to locate the previous
owner in Ontario. The previous owner had bought the car in 1978, and
kept it until
1997, during that period the Dart was restored and painted in 1985, it still
wear the same paint job today!!
He drove the car for a few years with it's 383 then a good buddy Jules
( the wiper man) stopped over with a set of 426 Hemi emblems, he then put
them over the 383 on the front fender of the Dart, that was it, we had to
do it. For about a year research was done to find out if it was possible.
Many people told us it could'nt fit, that it would be unstreetable, no way
they all say. stephan had seen a few Hemi Dart in shows, but they all used
the elephant ears. He set out to do it as if Chrysler would have made it.
INTERIOR
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Since Stephan has had it
he restored the interior, buffed the paint, detailed the trunk, engine compartment and underside. He also painted the top white. According to G.Govier this 68 GTS Dart came out the factory with 2 tone paint ( GG1 + White top) It is also a original 383 4 speed car (Canadian ordered).
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click to enlarge |
The first thing was to order a brand new Hemi crate
engine. Hemispherical product in California supplied the crossmember,
engine mounts and offset plate for the master cyl. Exhaust manifolds
did not fit so headers had to be use. Headman 2 inch
primary tubes for Hemi A body, where used and did not fit at all! 6 of
8 tubes had to be modified. They are still a VERY tight fit.
The steering shaft housing
and steering box unit also needed modifications.
A 3 speed wiper motor had to be used in order for clearence from the air cleaner.
Using a fiberglass hood was out of question so again modifications were
required on the air filter base plate in order to get proper hood clearence.
The heater blower motor had to be changed for a shorter one available
trought Siemens. Most of the original under hood wiring had to be
redone to match the Hemi, brake and fuel lines also had to be altered.
As for the drivetrain, the original big block 4 speed drive shaft and
rear end were use.
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The Crate Hemi was sent to Indy Auto in Montreal wereit was taken apart
and checked for clearence. Then new gaskets where installed and it was
run on the dyno, and it Performed! 461HP at 5800rpm, 470 torque at 3300
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click to enlarge |
The engine was put in in the winter/spring 2003, and it took
about 9 months to complete the swap. The car is very
streetable and a blast to drive, it was a LOT of work but Stephan
is very proud of the results. As well he should be!
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