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Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> 1955-1961 Forward Look MoPar General Discussion	Message format

Sonoramic60

Posted 2005-09-01 1:49 PM (#38702)
Subject: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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According to Hot Rod Magazine's "Chrysler Corporation Production Cars Performance Handbook" (1962 edition), Norm Thatcher's run was 191.89 mph in a '60 Dart with one of two versions of the 413/426 Max Wedge engine. One had 450 CID and the other 482 CID and I believe the 482 was used for the intitial qualifying runs of two miles of acceleration followed by a quarter-mile timing trap. If qualified, the "long course" was next: 2 miles of acceleration followed by three 1-mile timing traps. The bigger engine (with a longer stroke) had more torque for the "short course," but the smaller engine could wind out better for the full five miles of flat out running. The engines were equipped with forged 8.5-to1 pistons, Grant rings, boxed rods, chromed cranks, normal intake/exhaust valves, Isky roller cams, and a GMC 6-71 supercharger fed by Hilborn injectors on a Weiand manifold topped them off.
Norm set this record during the 1962 Bonneville meet. He also had an unblown '62 Dart that went 168.264 mph with a 433 CID version of the Max Wedge.
Joe Godec

1960fury

Posted 2005-09-01 3:25 PM (#38708 - in reply to #38702)
Subject: RE: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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thanks for the info, joe. i read years ago somewhere in the www it was a 383 and it was 1960. same info (1960 383) in my book. but the blown 450 sounds more plausible. one day i'll stroke my 383 to 450 with eddy or indy heads and an overdrive. thats gonna be some fun on the autobahn.

Sonoramic60

Posted 2005-09-01 5:56 PM (#38716 - in reply to #38708)
Subject: RE: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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You DIRTY dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Godec

57burb

Posted 2010-03-17 8:20 PM (#214426 - in reply to #38716)
Subject: RE: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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I realize this is a (very) old thread. But I'm interested in talking to Joe, Sid, and anyone else that can share information about Norm Thatcher. I'm thinking about setting up a web page about his land speed racing exploits with Forward Look cars and Hemi / Wedge engines.

Here are some pictures I found of a few of his race cars. The '60 Dodge is taken from the Feb '61 Hot Rod Magazine. The '59 Dodge images are from the Oct '59 issue. The '62 Dodge image is from the oldcarandtruckpictures.com website and says simply, "1962 Dodge Dart Bonneville Salt Flats Race Car Driven By Norman Thatcher."

B/G 61

Posted 2010-03-17 8:35 PM (#214429 - in reply to #38702)
Subject: RE: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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I'm SOOOOO MAD at myself for not buying this off of Ebay when it was listed - it was a Speed and Custom Magazine, printed in December 1961 . . .

(normt.jpg)

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normt.jpg (34KB - 225 downloads)

57burb

Posted 2010-03-17 8:39 PM (#214430 - in reply to #38702)
Subject: RE: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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If it's any consolation.... I'm mad at you too!

That is great, now I'll add that to my eBay search list.

B/G 61

Posted 2010-03-17 8:56 PM (#214434 - in reply to #214430)
Subject: RE: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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57burb - 2010-03-17 8:39 PM

If it's any consolation.... I'm mad at you too!

That is great, now I'll add that to my eBay search list.

GREAT ! Now we can get in a bidding war and some old rag of a magazine that COULD of cost me 5 bucks is gonna cost me or YOU $30

. . .

p.s. it was just last week when it was listed

suburban61

Posted 2010-03-17 11:20 PM (#214459 - in reply to #38702)
Subject: Re: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Speed-and-Custom-Magazine-Dec-1961-5x8-size_...
emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item518bbe468c#ht_500wt_956

&

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SPEED-AND-CUSTOM-MAGAZINE-DECEMBER-1961-ISSU...

no need to fight or live with regrets... heres one for each of you....

cheers adriana

57burb

Posted 2010-03-17 11:56 PM (#214468 - in reply to #214459)
Subject: Re: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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Thank you Adriana. I did get one from US eBay (a little less than the $30 shipping from Australia

)

Edited by 57burb 2010-03-17 11:57 PM

suburban61

Posted 2010-03-18 6:57 AM (#214506 - in reply to #38702)
Subject: Re: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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none of the ones i posted are in australia... sending a magazine from america to here is usually more expensive than the magazine itself

and if its an oversized magazine well then its astronomical... the other weekend i was so so so happy to find a 1967 copy of 'seventeen' magazine with twiggy on the cover at the markets for 50c... i hadnt bought it yet for my collection because it is an oversized and very thick publication that would cost around $25us to send it here on top of the purchase price... adriana

B/G 61

Posted 2010-03-18 9:08 AM (#214512 - in reply to #214426)
Subject: RE: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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57burb - 2010-03-17 8:20 PM

I realize this is a (very) old thread. But I'm interested in talking to Joe, Sid, and anyone else that can share information about Norm Thatcher. I'm thinking about setting up a web page about his land speed racing exploits with Forward Look cars and Hemi / Wedge engines.

Ima look through my stuff - I never could find much on him so coming up with a web site is a great idea

ttotired

Posted 2015-01-30 5:34 PM (#469005 - in reply to #38702)
Subject: Re: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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Dragged up again
Hemidave posted this in the "racing" thread and then I found this thread and his picture isnt in it, so now it is

(tumblr_mvgnn4X26u1qelkhfo1_500.jpg)

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tumblr_mvgnn4X26u1qelkhfo1_500.jpg (127KB - 199 downloads)

60 Imp

Posted 2015-01-31 6:46 PM (#469123 - in reply to #38702)
Subject: RE: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

Location: North Australia

Good one Mick, Now we need to lean on Sid to get onto that stroker for his Fury,

Have you started on this job Sid?

Steve

1960fury

Posted 2015-02-04 2:54 PM (#469365 - in reply to #469123)
Subject: RE: Norm Thatcher's '60 Dart

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i posted this almost 10 years ago

my good old 383 still runs like a clock, maybe better than ever before and i never considered ripping a perfectly running original motor apart. it would be a sacrilege. heads never been off since 1959, i guess it will outlive me. also i changed my opinion about stroked engines and up to this day there is not a single aluminum mopar big block head with heat crossover available. so lets see how long i can keep that old wedge alive. estimated 340 000 miles, no unusual noises, little oil consumption and still lots of power. my buddy driving an all new high performance 428 ford found that out not long ago

Edited by 1960fury 2015-02-04 2:56 PM

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