– New for 1968 model year: High-Performance 340-cid small block powerplant
– Compact Dart GTS proud member of Dodge’s “Scat Pack” line of bumblebee cars
– Only 403 GTS convertibles were produced for ’68, believed 271 were automatics

The Dart GTS was one of the charter members of Dodge’s “Scat Pack” back in ’68 and they were identified by the “bumblebee” stripe that encircled the rear of the cars. The symbol of the Scat Pack was the automotive bee, and it was a unique way for Dodge to receive added attention, and compete for exposure with the competitive “muscle car” models. The Dart GTS was basically an upgraded Dart GT with heavy-duty suspension, standard 340-cid high-revving small-block engine (383-cid big block “B” engine available at extra cost) and E70 x 14 rubber. Most buyers opted for the lighter 340 engine as it provided for better handling; it was 89 pounds lighter than the big block. Both versions were very cool!

GT(SPORT)   

While the Dart “GT” was first introduced in 1965, it was for the 1967 model year that Dodge decided to up the ante in the way of adding more premium features available as an extra cost option, and that came with the GTS top model available (383 engine only in that first year). For that 1967 Dart line, a 2-door hardtop (LS23) and convertible (LS27) were both available. 1968 saw the new 340 engine as standard equipment, and featured GTS markings on the hood, front fenders, interior door panels and decklid. Aesthetic features included a hood with bulged, simulated intake ports, unique grille appliqué (center-mounted trim piece, only on early cars) and standard bumblebee rear stripe (available in Red, White and Black) or horizontal side stripe, which ran the length of the car. 

NEW 340 FOUR BARREL ENGINE

The 340 engine was known as a “giant killer from Hamtramck” and with its 4.04” bore and 3.31” stroke, it was a high-revving powerplant that delivered great power at 5,500 rpm. 10.5:1 compression ratio pistons were standard equipment as was a shot peened, forged steel crankshaft. High-strength connecting rods were good for 6,500 rpms and a double roller timing set was used. Stout!

Other goodies that made the 340 a great street performer were the factory-installed wintage tray, dual-point ignition, free-flowing cylinder heads (with generous-sized valves: 2.02” intake, 1.60” exhaust) plus high load valve springs. Low-restriction exhaust manifolds (high-runner design on left-hand side) were part of the package as was a 600 cfm Carter AVS four-barrel carburetor (air valve secondaries), low restriction air cleaner and viscous-drive fan.

Two hydraulic camshafts were fitted to 340s, one for an automatic and the other for 4-speed applications (automatic: .430/445 lift, 268/276 degrees duration, 44 degrees valve overlap; manual: .445/.455 lift, 276/284 degrees duration, 52 degrees valve overlap). The changes were made to better control idle on the TorqueFlite^® cars.

INTERIOR

Options on the car include wood-grain steering wheel, center console, radio and bucket seats. (GTS hardtop had bucket seats as standard equipment, however option on convertibles.) The A/C unit shown is an original 1968 system that came complete from a salvage yard donor car. Along the way, the car received an upgraded Pioneer head unit for cassette tape playing. 

DROP TOP

“LS27” is factory lingo for Dart Convertible. As ordered from the factory, red body color, white top and interior, matching white bumblebee stripe across the back. Darts ran on a 111-inch wheelbase; and in convertible form, the shipping weight was 3,275 pounds. Car has optional front and rear bumper guards.

PP1

One way to make your 1968 Dodge Dart GTS convertible was to order it in “PP1” Bright Red, and that’s how this feature car came, as evidenced by the fender tag. Darts were not normally associated with being a high-performance car, however this year, thanks to the GTS option, it was. The advertising people definitely had some fun coming up their their ad copy: “The Scat Pack Compact. When you buy a compact, you get a compact engine, right? Wrong! Not since Dart GTS. This is a new breed that boosts a 340-cube, 4-barrel V8. That’s standard. There’s also an optional 383 4-barrel. Doesn’t sound like a kiddy-car, does it? It doesn’t look or ride like one, either. It handles beautifully. That’s Dart GTS!”

GRILLE CENTER PIECE

Very little documentation is available about the “center piece” on early Dart GTS cars, one thing that is clearly evident about it, all the brochures and press shots of the 1968 GTS cars had it, although cars built after January 1, 1968, reportedly could have been delivered to the dealerships without it fitted. Side marker lights came in ’68 as a result of federal “safety” laws.

Fender-mounted turn indicators add a touch of sophistication.

BUMBLEBEE

Whomever it was in 1967 at Dodge that dreamed up the “Bumblebee stripes for Scat Pack” was brilliant! Seeing a Dodge back in that era with these stripes meant it was a real and authentic performance car. 

They were for looks, but the GTS had these special hoods, providing enhanced “performance” appearance.

As delivered from the factory, E70-14 Red Stripe rubber. This isn’t a daily driver, however for roadability, this car had been updated with P255/70R-14 BFG T/A Radials. “Mag Look” full-size wheel covers shown here.

FENDER TAG

Key information on the fender tag: L = Dart S = Special Price Class, 27 = convertible, 52 = 340 4BBL, 39 = E70 x 14 Wide Tread Tires, S4W = Black / White interior, PP1 = Bright Red. 

DETAILS MATTER

A proper Mopar_® Group 24 battery, old school Mopar air cleaner housing sticker and Carter AVS carburetor (albeit a replacement to the original), all consistent in providing an authentic flavor to delivering a “factory” look.

GTS HARDTOP

A Car That Nobody’s Mother-in-Law Would Ever Understand

For promotion of the new GTS version of the Dodge Dart, the brochure described it as follows: “The first thing everybody notices about GTS are its Bumblebee stripes in black, red or white, and hood power bulges. Visible clues to the kind of performance magic you can expect from GTS. If you’re the sneaky type, you can have a fine-line side stripe or leave the stripes off altogether and pretend it’s an ordinary machine. Until, of course, you tromp your foot down.”

In the April 1968 edition of Hot Rod Magazine, the editors got their hands on a 340-cid GTS hardtop, fitted to the TorqueFlite automatic and 3.55:1 rear gearing. They took it out to OCIR (Orange County International Raceway) and it had a full tank of fuel, with 33 pounds of air in the E70-14 tires. They kept the shift rpms at 6,000 while manual shifting. A dozen runs down the 1/4-mile took place and the best time was a 14.38-second run at 97 mph. This was done with the air filter element removed and with the air cleaner lower housing left in place. That’s about as close to “pure stock” as seen back in the day.

Author: James Maxwell