Ya gotta love Mopar folks. When you discuss the fastest muscle cars of the era with them, there’s always one who tosses a “The 1968 Hemi Dart and Barracuda would crush them all!” bomb. However, there’s always that pesky “not quite street-legal” footnote that completely negates the point.
Nonetheless, these A-body race cars are quite popular with enthusiasts because they reflect a manufacturer’s intention to destroy all competitors in sanctioned racing. At the end of the decade, it seems only AMC offered a similar car with the SS/AMX, while Ford dabbled in other stuff and GM still held onto the AMA racing ban, resulting in a handful of race cars dressed in street trim (read: ZL1 Camaro).
Not everyone can afford a Hemi A-body, but not everyone wants one anyway—they aren’t well-suited for the street, as you know. But what about building one that’s more street-friendly? With a 392 Hemi crate engine from Mopar Performance, no less? That’s 495 net horsepower. Dan Zajac and his son Daniel built this car together over 14 years. Why did it take so long? Because Daniel—newly retired—was a career military man.
Join Muscle Car Campy as he guides us during a ride in a satin black 1969 Dodge Dart with modern Hemi power, aka “Dart Vader.” Other features include a TKX five-speed manual (with a Hurst Pistol Grip, natch!), Hemi hood scoop, Reilly MotorSports front suspension with Street-Lynx triangulated four-bar rear suspension, Ford nine-inch rear end, and much more.
If you dig this video, be sure to check out other muscle car videos from Muscle Car Campy!
