1969 Dart GTS production numbers

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This is a fairly loaded Big Block GTS. The VIN #LS23H9B394959 indicates a hardtop Dart GTS with a High performance 383 V-8. The car was built at the famous Hamtramck plant.

Chrome valve covers were standard equipment on the 1967-69 383 GTS Darts and were not available from the factory on the 440 GTS. These valve covers were a popular over the counter item from dealers during the 60's and were installed on many big blocks when new.

Options on the car include:

(AO1) Light Group

(AO5) Protection Group

(C16) Console

(D34) Torqueflite Trans.

(D91) Sure Grip Diff.

(E63) 383 Magnum

(G33) Remote Left side Mirror

(H31) Rear Window Defogger

(J25) Variable Speed Wiper & Washer

(L31) Fender Mounted Turn Signals

(R11) Music Master AM Radio

(S77) Power Steering

(S81) Wood Grain Steering Wheel

(V1X) Vinyl Roof - Black

(V8X) Bumble Bee Stripe - Black

(W18) Simulated mag type wheel covers

(T74) E70x14 Polyester Tires

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The numbers matching 383 still has its original heads, block, pistons and stock cylinder bores. The motor was rebuild & blueprinted back in '83 with TRW bearings, HD rod bolts, HD Hemi oil pump. The motor was pulled again during the winter of 2002 for detailing and freshening. (Engine photo link)

The original '906 heads have been reworked with Mopar Performance valve springs & retainers. Ports on both sides were opened up to match the intake & exhaust manifolds. I'm still running the stock 10.1 compression ratio with VP 108-octane leaded fuel.

The camshaft is a .474 lift / 280 degree MP Purple Shaft unit that has a great sound at idle. The original Chrysler Prestolite dual point distributor (Standard on 383 Darts) is still being used but enhanced with a Pertronix electronic unit inside. The intake is the stock high rise with a Carter 650 Competition Series AFB carburetor in place of the stock Carter AVS.

The exhaust runs through original A-Body 383 manifolds with the driver side modified with a high flow Accurate unit (Manifold link). Awesome 2 1/2" "Max-Wedge" style head pipes, also from Accurate, are bolted to the above manifolds. Hemi type low restriction mufflers and chrome OEM exhaust tips finish the job out back.

Current gears are 3.91's with factory Sure Grip turning through a 2500+ rpm stall speed converter. The motor runs strong all the way to the 6500 rpm redline.

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The interior pictured above is all original. The ashtray has never been used! Production numbers on GTS Darts are fairly low, especially with the big block engines. Total Dart production for all models and engine combination in 1969 was 197,685 units.

Production figures are from the Chrysler Historical Collection & MyMopar.com

1969 Dart 383 GTS (Hardtop)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS23H9

4SPD

1969

DART GT SPORT

2 DOOR HDTP

383-4

784

LS23H9

AUTO

1969

DART GT SPORT

2 DOOR HDTP

383-4

488

1969 Dart 383 GTS (Conv)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS27H9

4SPD

1969

DART GT SPORT

CONVERTIBLE

383-4

34

LS27H9

AUTO

1969

DART GT SPORT

CONVERTIBLE

383-4

39

1969 Dart 340 GTS (Hardtop)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS23P9

4SPD

1969

DART GT SPORT

2 DOOR HDTP

340-4

1022

LS23P9

AUTO

1969

DART GT SPORT

2 DOOR HDTP

340-4

2623

1969 Dart 340 GTS (Conv)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS27P9

4SPD

1969

DART GT SPORT

CONVERTIBLE

340-4

58

LS27P9

AUTO

1969

DART GT SPORT

CONVERTIBLE

340-4

214

1969 Dart 440 GTS (Hardtop Only)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS23M9

4SPD

1969

DART GT SPORT

2 DOOR HDTP

440-4

A13 CODE

0

LS23M9

AUTO

1969

DART GT SPORT

2 DOOR HDTP

440-4

A13 CODE

640

Of the above totals only 326 Dart GTS Hardtops of ALL engines are left nation wide with 7 of them in my home state of Massachusetts.

Production numbers for '67 & '68 big block GTS's.

'67 GTS 383 4-speed: 229 (Mid-year release)

'67 GTS 383 Auto Trans: 228 (Mid-year release)

1968 Dart 383 GTS (Hardtop)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS23H8

4SPD

1968

DART GTS

2 DOOR HDTP

383-4

991

LS23H8

AUTO

1968

DART GTS

2 DOOR HDTP

383-4

1113

1968 Dart 383 GTS (Conv)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS27H8

4SPD

1968

DART GTS

CONVERTIBLE

383-4

40

LS27H8

AUTO

1968

DART GTS

CONVERTIBLE

383-4

40

1968 Dart 340 GTS (Hardtop)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS23P8

4SPD

1968

DART GTS

2 DOOR HDTP

340-4

1281

LS23P8

AUTO

1968

DART GTS

2 DOOR HDTP

340-4

4232

1968 Dart 340 GTS (Conv)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS27P8

4SPD

1968

DART GTS

CONVERTIBLE

340-4

44

LS27P8

AUTO

1968

DART GTS

CONVERTIBLE

340-4

271

1968 Dart 440 GSS (Mr Norms)

VIN #

Trans

Year

Model

Body Style

Engine

Remarks

Produced

LS23M8

4SPD

1968

DART GSS (MR. NORMS)

2 DOOR HDTP

440-4

4SPD & AUTO NOT BROKEN OUT IN TOTAL

48

LS23M8

AUTO

1968

DART GSS (MR. NORMS)

2 DOOR HDTP

440-4

4SPD & AUTO NOT BROKEN OUT IN TOTAL

48

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This car was driven everyday for the first ten years of its life. When I purchased it in '79 from my uncle it was driven full-time for six months before limiting it to weekends and fair weather driving.

After pulling the engine for a complete rebuild in the winter of '82-83 she's used only for car shows and cruise nights. I average only a couple of hundred miles a year now. The redlines were installed back in 1990 and are original Firestone redlines.

During the winter of 2002 the engine was removed for detailing and freshening. Current miles as of the Spring of 2009 stands at 92,200.

Please be sure to check the engine photos on the next page.

Galen's Registry Document

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