As the pony car craze took off in the mid-1s with the arrival of the Mustang and Barracuda, Dodge took a different approach. While rivals like Chevrolet and AMC were quick to join the fray with dedicated pony cars, Dodge adapted its existing Dart compact to compete. Introduced in 1960 as a full-size car, the Dart had shrunk to a compact by 1963.
Initially powered by inline-six engines and a modest V8, it wasn’t until a 1967 redesign that the Dart gained the muscle to truly challenge the established pony cars. While rivals boasted big-block V8s exceeding 300 horsepower, Dodge initially resisted this trend. However, a key figure, Norm Kraus, would change that.
Calling all muscle car enthusiasts with a craving for something unique! This 1968 Dodge Dart GTS isn’t your average pony car.
It’s a rare breed, packing a surprising punch beneath a stock-looking exterior. Originally conceived by a clever dealer responding to customer requests, the 383 V8 option in the Dart GTS became a reality thanks to his push.
While later models offered the even larger 440 engine, these remained uncommon, making the 1968 383 GTS a true collector’s item. This particular example takes things a step further. It boasts a meticulously rebuilt and enhanced 383 engine, disguised to appear completely original.
The result? A sleeper with 45 more horsepower than the stock version and is near rival to the later 440, all while maintaining a factory-fresh look. Buckle up for a closer look at this fascinating muscle car with Muscle Car Campy.
