1968 Mr. Norm's Dodge Dart GSS

[ApexSpeed]

About 10 years ago I was happily building the Revell Mr. Norm's GSS according to images I had found on the web, and by the kit instructions with the box photos. Someone on another forum pointed out an inconsistency in the build, which sent me scrambling and put a hold on my project. A few months later, I actually was lucky enough to meet "Mr. Norm" Krause at a Mopar Happening show in Belvedere, Illinois, where he had a booth set up to sell shirts and hats and sign autographs. Next to the booth was none other than the actual black GSS Dart on the cover of the model kit. I found all of the kit mistakes and proceded to go over the whole car with my camera and a note pad. A conversation with Norm actually cleared up a few questions I had, too. Like, the battery in this car is in the trunk, and not in the engine compartment.

I started up my project again as I moved into a new house in a new state recently, and needed something to pass the time. Hopefully, these photos can help someone else from falling into the same trap that I did and believing the instructions and box photos were accurate and correct to the actual car.

[ApexSpeed]

[ApexSpeed]

[ApexSpeed]

Last ones...

Edited January 26, 2014 by ApexSpeed

[ApexSpeed]

Some things to note:

• 1968 GSS had dealer applied badges made from "GTS" badges, using a painted red S in the middle. They were hand done by mechanics, so yes, it is crooked and was like that from the dealer.
• The real car sports dog dish hubcaps on steel wheels, and not the Magnum 500 wheels on the kit.
• In 1968, the engine color was in fact, turquoise and not orange.
• The battery is in the trunk, and not in the engine compartment.
• The brake reservoir has no brake booster, as in the kit.

I'm sure there are more incorrect details that I have not caught yet. I'd be willing to bet, you guys will find more.

[Joe Handley]

Ummmmmm............I would hate to change the plugs on that car, the 4 closest to the firewall looks like they would be as bad, if not worse to get at than the right bank on my 200!

[slusher]

something else hard to find is Mopar engine turquoise. Autopart stors don't carry it and most say they can't order it. Great pictures ...

[Joe Handley]

something else hard to find is Mopar engine turquoise. Autopart stors don't carry it and most say they can't order it. Great pictures ...

I thought you could get that through Mopar via their own line of engine spray paints.

[ApexSpeed]

As it was, I mixed my own based on photos and in-person memory (basic Testors blue + green enamel). I had already built and detailed my engine in orange (ugh) when I found out that that color didn't start until 1969. Duplicolor also makes a spray can engine paint, too, part number DE1619. They call it "Chrysler green engine enamel."

Second kit needed, new engine in progress (still):

I didn't get it quite as dark as I wanted, but it was close enough...

Edited January 26, 2014 by ApexSpeed

[unclescott58]

Great photos for future use. I too have Revell's kit.

Scott

[Mr mopar]

Doug thank you for the info, this will be a big help.

[High octane]

Great pics, and BTW, ALL batteries should be in the trunk as it makes a big difference in launching and handling of the car. I lived a couple of miles from Grand Spaulding Dodge back-in-the-day and bought a Super Bee from him back in '69. I still have the "paperwork" but not the car.

[426-Hemi]

As it was, I mixed my own based on photos and in-person memory (basic Testors blue + green enamel). I had already built and detailed my engine in orange (ugh) when I found out that that color didn't start until 1969. Duplicolor also makes a spray can engine paint, too, part number DE1619. They call it "Chrysler green engine enamel."

I didn't get it quite as dark as I wanted, but it was close enough...

-This color is more Mopar engine blue, then the Mopar engine turquoise....

Heres a good reference picture:

Now I KNOW all too well this Mopar Engine Turquoise is difficult to find, AND even harder to mix.... BUT that color thats shown to have been used isn't Turquoise! The Mopar engine color has a green base to it. And added blue to lessen the green tint. BUT it is in fact a green based color.

Now to really get into this, there were SEVERAL different "engine colors" For Mopar engines, including Red, Yellow, Orange, (2 different shades), black, blue (2 different shades), and Turquoise (2 different shades), Blues, were "blue" Turquoises were "green" based. Then you had Gold, and silver.

I'm a member of a real car forum on Mopar cars and trucks and sadly, this was a BIG discussion on the "shade" of the turquoise. The blue however in that discussion was VERY common and WELL known that there was in fact 2 different shades of it over thew years. Which the Turquoise was too, between the blue and turquoise, the companies that produced the color for Mopar, was PPG and choice from I believe it was Dupont, even tho, most got the PPG painted cars! As they were "standard" for all cars "Mopar"