History Lesson

The first Pro-Street car was a BigBlock Dart



 
Tony Harlin is the current owner of this 68 GTS 'vert, which, by most accounts, is the first "pro-street" car to hit the streets in the 70's.

 
 
The story starts back in 1970 when Robert "Tach" Mooney bought this '68 340 vert and started racing it. The little 340 lasted one year before dropping it's guts, motivating Tach to up the ante. A blown Keith Black Hemi was installed, which made obvious the fact that Darts don't have much room for back tires.
The car was taken to Calco, which was building funny cars at the time.
Tach told them he needed a funny car frame and tires under it, but also wanted it streetable. Voila`, the first Pro-Street car, before Pro-Street was even a word. Instead of becoming a race car, it proved to be so much fun on the street, Tach kept it there. One of the few strip outings early on netted a best ET of 8.61. Many miles were driven and plenty of trophy's were won with the car over the years. During the 80's the car was in Hot Rod, Car Craft, Custom Rodder, and Hot Rodding. It was in Norman Barrett's Custom Cars book in 84, and was the first cover car for Chrysler Power magazine in 84.

During the photo shoot for Chrysler Power, the car made a strip pass, breaking 2nd gear. Tach stayed in it, shifted into third and still managed a 9.40@135.

The Dart at Calco, after recieving it's new back-half.
Here, the story darkens some.  In '85 tach had to sell the car, and it spent a number of years as a parts cars, nearly ending up in the junkyard as a bare shell. A fellow named Mike Devee recognized the car and managed to save what was left. The restoration began, however Mike was unable to complete it. Tony Harlin came to the rescue, buying the car, and continuing the resto. Mike, Tach, and Tony are all good friends, and their efforts are now back in the spotlight, with features in Hot Rod, Hot Rodding, and culminating on the cover of Mopar Action in December,2002.

The car was mostly restored it's original condition in the 80's with minor improvements and a drivetrain closely resembling the original.
 Speaking of drivetrain, this car contains an impressive list of goodies. A Dana 60 narrowed 18 inches, holds 4.30 gears. The 727 features a manual valve body, low first gear and a 3500 converter.
Motivation comes from a 66 vintage Hemi, stroked to 500". A billet roller cam opens the valves in a set of ported and flowed Super Stock style Hemi heads and a Milodon gear drive keeps timing stable. Milodon products also handle the oiling duties. Poking through the hood is a BDS 8-71 blower driven 1:1. Twins Holleys handle feeding the beast and an aluminum rad keeps it all cool for weekend cruises.

 
The original Pro-Streeter has finally come full-circle, once again standing proud to defend the Mopar badge.
So the next time your Chevy buddies start on you about how much better their cars are, politely remind them who started all this to begin with :)

 
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