My 'As Delivered' 1968 Hurst Hemi Dart Build...

[ian ashton]

I won this kit in the Toledo NNL Raffle, and being that I was having trouble locating some parts for my '69 Satellite Convertible build, I figured this would be a good kit to jump into to try and get some detailing skills back, as prior to this I have only built 2 kits (a Tamiaya S2000, and Revell Magnum) since my 10+ year hiatus.

Anyway, I decided that I wanted to build this kit 'as delivered', as an Automatic. For reference material I found the infamous Cars magazine article with the pictures that Charlie Castaldo took upon delivery in 1968. In addition, my dad dug up some Mopar Muscle, Muscle Car Review and Mopar Collectors Guide articles featuring race ready cars, as well as a Mopar Enthusiast Magazine with "How To: Detail Your Hemi..." All proved very useful, as there is incredibly limited information available on these things.

I'd like to apologize, as I didn't take many pictures during the build

First up I decided to work on the exhaust and chassis – this is where I used some artistic license. Most reports say the cars came with Hooker Headers leading to steel tube mufflers, with dumps before the rear axle – that’s the route I chose to go. So, I used the kits headers, and a combination of the 440 exhaust tubing and mufflers and dumps from the Hemi to come up with a final guesstimate. I think it worked out well.

Here are pictures of the buildup of the chassis;

Mocking up the exhaust:

Exhaust built and working on the paint and photo etched clamps (note, after this was taken I painted the headers black, they looked weird in silver):

Working on the brake and fuel lines, after paint:

All buttoned up (note: I painted and detailed the trans pan, and have no idea where I put it - anyone wanna send me a spare, lol!)

Because the next 2 or 3 builds are Mopars, and I want steelies on all of them, I figured it would be good to cast them, so I bought the Alumilite Super Casting Kit at HobbyLobby, with the 40% off coupon - score!

I started with the wheels from Lindberg Little Red Wagon, and while I was at it I casted the seats, as they are also what came stock in this car.

Making the mold:

And the finished product, with lugs and valve stems installed:

Next up was the interior. This was an easy one, as its 2 seats, drivers only seat belt, and a little detail on the dash. I used Kens Fuzzy Fur on the floor, and Model Car Garage photo etched seat belt buckles.

One thing the L023 cars were known for is the fact that they had no window hardware, just seatbelt straps with snaps to either hold the window closed, or open. To duplicate this I just used the same ribbon material that I used for the lap belts, and a couple of push pins to mimic the snaps.

Since I built this as an Automatic, I had to replicate the "console". I was fortunate enough to find a decent interior picture that showed an automatic L023, so I was able to come up with this - pretty easy, I just sanded the detail off of a car battery, trimmed it up a little, and popped a hole in it for the shifter. I used the kit shift indicator decal:

Finished up - I don't know if these cars came factory with a column mounted tachometer, but all of the reference pics I had showed the same tach, so I figured it was meant to be there, so I wired it up for fun:

The body painted and Bare Metal Foiled - I later found that the vent window trim was also chrome, so I added it before putting the interior in:

Working on the engine compartment, fuel and brake lines coming up from the chassis:

I can't get a good picture, but for the rear brakes I just used the kit wheel backs and added some photo etched linkage to make them look a little more like drum brakes (Again, using artistic license.) Up front I used some parts box rotors with Machine Aluminum Specialties photo etched Calipers.

I wired up the wiper motor (no idea why these cars came with wipers, despite their lack of heater, window cranks, and any other "luxury" haha):

Wired engine in, brake lines connected. I ran the fuel line to the fuel pump (area) and ran a new line up to tie into the carbs, for which I built a nice T to split the line. The box carbs are total garbage, so I ordered a set of resin carbs from MAD - I can't wait 'till they arrive so I can detail 'em up and call this project complete

The (almost) finished product. I made little signs that repeat what the cars had on them from the factory. One says "WARNING THIS SUPER STOCK VEHICLE IS TO BE DELIVERED ON THE BOTTOM LEVEL ONLY OF ALL TRUCKS AND RAIL TRANSPORTATION" and the other says "HOT" with what I presume is the VIN, vehicle code (LO23), and to where it will be delivered.

On a side note, if anyone has any suggestions for using my Canon Digital Rebel XS to better shoot models please share! I can't seem to get a decent all focused shot of the entire car. Great for details, but weird on the whole car.

Comments/Rants/Constructive Criticism/Destructive Criticism is all welcome

[Dragline]

This is how I'm building mine. I have 2 Muscle Car Review mags with L023's in them.

Looking very nice.

Bob

[ian ashton]

Let me know if you want copies of what I have, I can scan and email if you like.

[High octane]

Your project looks good Ian, and I hope you post the finished model when you get it done.

[mikemodeler]

Looks great and might be a kit worth picking up. I like the idea of primer and minimal foiling- nothing to polish and easy to assemble!

nice job capturing the look!

[Joe Handley]

Have yet to see one built that way, very cool!

[dwc43]

Looks good. So does the pics. Just don't post them as thumbnails though. When clicked on they don't always fit the screen. Better to post them full size in the post.

[tuffone20]

Very nice you did a great job on that Dart.

[ian ashton]

Thanks for the positive comments guys!

[Nick Notarangelo]

it reminds of a higschools car with that grey primer and black fenders