1970 Dodge Dart Pro Street, The History of NHRA Drag Racing, and the Rick Dobbertin Surface Orbiter

[@christopherkraft1327]

You know it's going to be a great video when Bill is zooming through the streets of Naples under the cloak of darkness & then peels out in Peter's driveway!!! Happy Easter weekend!!! 🥃🥃

[@maclac48]

🎯

[@fireguy615]

I'm old enough to remember when the preferred transmission for drag racing was the 2-speed Powerglide; great car thanks Bill!

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

I know of a gen 4 Supra and a Viper with Powerglides.

[@russellrobins5320]

Only preferred for big blocks 283 not so much

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

@@russellrobins5320 Of course now a glide can be built to take thousands of horsepower.

[@erinfreize4717]

Wasn't the Corvette originally issued with a two speed version of a factory power glide?

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

@@erinfreize4717 ...and a 6 cylinder

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Good day Bill hope you are having a good Easter break

[@renchjeep]

Badass little Dart! My first car was a 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger with the slant 6 (leaning tower of power) with the 3-speed auto shifted on the column. It was my Great Grandmother's car, then my aunt got it, then I bought it from my aunt in like 1985 for 300 bucks. My Dart was a 2-door hardtop, in root beer brown metallic with the black vinyl bench seat interior and a black vinyl top. What a great little car! This was in Western PA, so the road salt had provided some "speed holes" in the body, and also the frame, unfortunately. My Grandfather and I would patch her up and get her through the PA state annual inspections so that I could keep driving her. I remember going through a lot of batteries and alternators as well. That little Dart was my hero, and she flew MANY times over an area of our 2-lane blacktop road affectionately known as the "fun hill". It was right on the side of a golf course, and the road would go up at a steep angle, then drop off on the other side, just begging for more SPEED! At 65-70 MPH, she was probably able to get 3 feet off the ground with all 4 tires! I imagined I was Bo Duke, flying the General Lee. She survived all of the jumps pretty well, always flew straight and landed well. Once I broke the entire exhaust system rearward of the manifold on the road, and told my Grandfather "must have been the rust that did that exhaust system in"! Oh, the fun we had! Thanks, Bill, for another trip down memory lane! Stay safe and stay cool, brother!

[@josebrown5961]

Hey now that Corvette Sunmer car was my favorite back in the day. I was 12 and really had no taste but kids will be kids! I saw the paperback in the grocery store and my mom bought it for me. It was my first paperback and I finished it in one night! Then there was a page that said “Coming this summer Mark Hamill in Corvette Summer-At a theatre near you! And I made her take me to that as well! And I still LOVE that car.

[@richardmorris7063]

That car was way over the top,corny movie but good memory..

[@jmflyer55]

Many of us “old timers” remember these running around the streets. Your Mopar guys really loved these. Hugely popular back in the day. Back in the late 70’s to mid 80’s, I ran my cars at New England Dragway, which every Wednesday night was amateur night. ((All Pro-Street, cars build up by average guys etc.) Most of us ran built up street cars, but every day drivers as well, with a few high rollers that could afford to actually trailer their vehicles in, that were full blown drag cars, and not street legal. And you never knew who you’d be put against to run the quarter mile. Haha. It might be a stock Pinto wagon Lol, or a full blown dragster running nitros! But times have changed for sure since then. We’d spend thousands to shave a partial second off our run time, compared to some new factory stock cars today that are quicker than the cars we built up! My fastest car was my 86 Grand National 6 cylinder. Bought it brand new, and it ran 12’s. Anyhow, very cool video, Love it.

[@brianbarry6909]

New England Dragway Yes How about Colchester Drag Strip Home of the concrete lunch Pad in CT I was there many a weekend 😊

[@red2001ss]

That build sheet showing the 4.500 bore by 4.250 stroke makes that a 540ci Mopar.

[@egold2071]

Not just Good Friday now... it's a GREAT Friday! Nothing better than a classic piece by Bill. Much thanks n'at Sir! 🤟

[@tonywestvirginia]

True! Thanks Bill !!!

[@tykruszka]

I remember reading about the surface orbiter as a child and I absolutely lost it when Bill said "he's probably better off" when talking about the divorce lol

[@aussie8114]

Wow… A lot of work went into that car. A credit to the owner.

[@dawndelrocco2078]

Hey Bill, I've been watching your channel since summer of 2020. Love your sense of humor and when you get frustrated! Just a correction: you mentioned Dodge Darts came out in the 1950's, but the first year of the Dodge Dart was 1960, It was a beautiful car available in three trims: Seneca, Pioneer, and Phoenix (From low to high order).

[@ganderson158]

You know wasn't to interested on the car BUT being Bill and the background given on it I was impressed. I learned a few thnigs as well. Breaking down all the gauges, the race car items like the switch on the back "trunk" lid I found fasinating. Thanks Bill!

[@LD-ei8cj]

Ha, ha, to those of us of a certain age, this is pure joy! What a machine, thank's Bill.😊

[@thethomasj1795]

My father's first car was a 1968 Dodge Dart with a straight 6. We had a 175 Dodge Dart Custom too. I wish I still had one of them.

[@barrettwbenton]

Wow, Bill: the moment I saw the thumbnail for the video in my feed, I *immediately* thought of Bill Jenkins. (From Wikipedia: "He was nicknamed 'Grumpy' for having a no-nonsense attitude at races. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America said: 'his continual search for improved performance left little time for idle chatter with his racing colleagues.'") I think the comparison fits, and I mean that in the nicest way. Keep 'em coming.

[@simonvancoevorden295]

Fun fact . Chrysler Australia used this bodyshell for the VF/VG Valiant hardtop . I had one with a hot 360 in it . Looks the same as the blue Dart in the pics . Great vid Bill ! Greetings from Perth Western Australia. Simon .

[@petesmitt]

No they didn't; this bodyshell was never used in Australia.

[@simonvancoevorden295]

100 percent it was but only on the Hardtops . Not the Valiant sedans . Please look it up if you don’t believe me .

[@petesmitt]

@@simonvancoevorden295 I owned Valiant hardtops; I don't have to look it up. Chrysler Australia used elements of certain Dart models, such as the floor-pan and some of the body structure but the bodyshell featured in this video was never used, notably the rear of the car.

[@TheJeffcurran]

Really nice car. The definition of Pro Street.

[@sidefx996]

Beautiful, tasteful car. I'm pretty sure someone put a lot more into it than the asking price.

[@CR-vu1rt]

Door slammers are still one of the best classes out there !

[@randolfo1265]

Seven second Door slammers, Sunday! Sunday!

[@624radicalham]

THANK YOU ... hear me .. THANK YOU for no millenial/zoomer crappy GO-PRO cams stuck in every corner of the car. I was IN that car. I got chills. Eternal gratitude for getting rid of those external camera appendages and actually giving us a ride holding the camera like you always have. Even waiting for the gate is magic. Hats off to you Sir.

[@EndeavorsDnB]

1st he hasn’t ever not used the hand cam. Also, he used go-pro cams just did not use the footage they captured. Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn’t. He even said that the go-pro’s were running twice near the end of the video, so they were on the car. I love the different views they allow you to obtain! Plus if used without the hand cam, theoretically Bill would be able to do much more while driving as well as adding some safety for our glorious leader Bill. He must continue to make videos, what else would I do with my time, watch other car reviewers? Pssshht, I think NOT sir.

[@dotd7763]

That is one hell of a machine!

[@sneakerfreak2002]

Sweeet. Perfect timing. Just cracked a beer

[@thomass3769]

Sweet car and great rubber burnout in Peter’s driveway. Always enjoy the “short” commentary.

[@SuperJoes70]

I met Rick Dobbertin before he built the J2000 he ran a beautiful Chevy 2 I think a 64 that was a 454 car with twin turbo's and and twin supercharged at the street machine nationals in the 8'0's I remeber it was one of the first Pro Street cars back then . It ran so beautifully ! I remember I asked him how he set the car up to run so sweet . I know he ended up working for GM back then and they gave him a blank check on the Pontiac .

[@Analog359]

I remember Rick Dobbertin’s J2000 in magazines, and I’d seen the Surface orbiter before, but had no idea it was the same guy. Grumpy humor and knowledge. Thanks👍🏼😂

[@russellrobins5320]

I built a 71 A body dart sport into a Porsche killer Biggest mopar torsion bars, reworked super stock leafs, front and rear antiroll bars, Doug Thorley tri-y headers on a 6000 rpm 360 with a custom built road race 8 quart oil pan and the last torqueflite hurst dual gate hurst made. Car kicked ass

[@Mike-Ruby]

Classic Bill with the weather! Love it!!

[@brianjensen7985]

Another classic "Bill" and car performance.

[@spacecat7247]

I love those old darts. Had a few darts and valiants in my family.

[@samiam5557]

Bill keeping it real, very nice '70 Dart Sir!

[@bobpierce115]

Great feature on a too often overlooked muscle car. By the way, we're a whole week into April now, Bill! 🙂

[@belindakt]

What a beautiful machine- thank you Bill!!

[@reyreyes2884]

beautiful car have a happy easter

[@palletwizard]

Peter really needs to get that roof pressure washed! I noticed that the bush is growing back nicely!

[@mopartony7953]

Bill has evolved from German cars for yuppies to a street racer dart. And nice mention of the Hurst Hemi Dats at the video intro.

[@12yearssober]

I knew I saw this car not long ago!!!!!! I had no idea it was you Bill!!!

[@ronmccullock1407]

Good afternoon Bill from Ron a sunny warm Manchester

[@peterleonard9846]

Ah! I came for the ostensible car commentary and weather report but wasn't expecting a full treatise on the invention of the wheel. Thanks, Bill ! Your acerbic candor is a freakin' riot!

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Thanks Bbill. Central California watching.

[@improperbostonian6722]

Mannix had the (1968) GTS that was a sweet car!

[@hiitsstillme]

It was funny that our Bill should mention Grumpy Bill Jenkins. We can tell right off, they had something in common.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

This particular iteration of the Dart must have been a magnet for ticket-happy cops...the car screams "Hey, look at me, I can out-run any cop car". However, one of my buddies bought a brand new, 1969 Dodge Dart with a "sleeper" 340 4barrel, and 4 sp transmission. It held it's own against various GTOs and other muscle cars, but did not draw notice from the cops.

[@jacquesc3166]

I think of Bill as Chuck from the 405, GM version instead of Mustangs. I may have been born in 85 but I know my way around stock, pro street, semi pro and other local drag classes. Great review Chuck, I mean Bill.

[@Rene67]

Thank you again, Mr.Bill! Like Mr. Gold wrote, you turned this good Friday in a great friday indeed!

[@franzvanjulio5523]

Well that seems like a bunch of fun to drive. Thanks for the video, Bill. Be well.

[@EndeavorsDnB]

As long as vehicles of any type exist, racing will live on.

[@azrael7923]

You Know Bill be loving driving that hot rod!!

[@frazzleface753]

Thanks Bill, this was fun to look at. Happy Easter.

[@fishypictures]

I like this but…. I am a more low brow kind of guy… what I’m working is a 1964 Dodge 440 …. Pretty slick looking with the in your face trim…. It runs.. sometimes it gets a little out of hand… lot of torque rom a 1974 big block 400 ci, 750 cfm Holley, old school electronic ignition module, push button shift which I don’t like linked to a 727 torqueflite transmission and a 8 3/4 rear end …. It needs a sure grip so I don’t have to go down the street sideways. All in all it needs about $7000.00 in improvements and I’ll drive it locally thru my retirement Mopar makes me happy.

[@DocPortland]

We had a 1967 Dart GT. My grandfather bought it new. It had the original 273 V8, but after I inherited it ended up needing to put another engine and did a lil upgrade to 318. I so regret selling this car…

[@royperry2859]

My first car was a 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger. It was a slant 6 with a column shift auto. I fantasized about building it up to something like this. I traded it in for a Geo Metro 5-door hatchback with air conditioning a short time later I saw the car on the street in Moreno Valley California it was given good service to a family in the area. You never forget your first love whatever it is.

[@JZ_Cars]

Pretty cool car Uncle Billy!!! Thanks for the video and hope you have a real nice Easter with less shitty weather than usual. Really liked the Bird reference with the Smokey and The Bandit pic!!! Best movie ever.

[@kevindarrell3500]

Good Morning 🥃🥃🚬🚬😎 An absolute blessing to see your videos Bill . This automobile is a true bad ass 👏🏻🤘🏻

[@robertvance1873]

Probably the best Car you ever had on the Channel hope you get more car's like this on the channel. Thank you Uncle Bill.

[@christianobrien4465]

Bill, your channel is on the extremely short list of what I can stand watching on KZbin but I can watch your videos all day and one more. This presentation is fantastic and you could’ve gone on a whole lot longer. I loved every minute of it including experiencing you loving, driving that car. I only wish you could’ve figured out the fan.

[@retthok]

The one thing that the new cars don't have is the character, charisma and sound that the ones back in the day had.

[@retthok]

Oh, yeah, right up my alley. Me: 71yo. 440's, Hemi's, Chevy big blocks and small blocks, Ford SOHC and Boss's. Glorious days to grow up in. Nickey Chevy and Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge. US 30 dragstrip. If you missed it, pity, pity.

[@mikemoxley9477]

Loce love love this video!!! GREAT built! The sound on your test drive was amazing

[@retrogaming8647]

Looks awesome, sounds awesome. What a beauty.

[@htcathomas]

Bill, THIS CAR KICKS ASS.. !!!!!! EXCELLENT JOB BILL!!!!!!

[@TheHelado36]

Another great video from Bill !!!!!

[@richardmorris7063]

I was never big into quarter mile cars either,I'm more a pro/touring car style. This looks clean & well done though..

[@aviation3530]

Been hoping you’d review this car!!!

[@Jimbo1315]

No mistake with that demon carb! High idle is the giveaway! Nice video!

[@codithheretic110]

😲 more weather! more weather! more weather!

[@one7decimal2eight]

Man...old muscle cars look sexy and sound sexy. I got to really see the tail end of them on the streets growing up in the early 90s. Wasn't uncommon to see chevelles, firechicken trans ams and and of course mustangs of all flavors.

[@bilboardman3430]

Bill ! Love EVERY show. Point missed here was RICK'S pro street Chevy II . Called INNOVATION. IT started the street / race / fairgrounds car CRAZE. Pontiac J 2000 had valve springs rear suspension, between wheelie bars, only inches apart. Nova had twin turbos, twin blowers, 40 gauges...

[@rashton5730]

Lol, What a Beast! Fun Video Bill

[@michaelwayne1977]

They should have Bill do the weather for the local news: “The summer shit is approaching.” Instant ratings boost

[@douglasshriver52]

I had a 1970 dodge dart 340 , very cool car .

[@MrPrinzbeat]

Love your videos Bill.... great job.

[@commandertopgun]

What a Car Bill , can''t get it before july haaa haaa , man I enjoy everyon2 of thr 36+ video here, the roar, the sound the hair raising acceleration Nostalgia brother, excellect review & drive as ever no oe does it like you man, you are the Best of the Best & a Natural in your awesome car reviews keep up the great job, this year I am buying from you a lot....

[@dedeborya9015]

That J2000 was amazing - still iconic

[@slagrebi740]

Dimensional shifting torque, what a beauty.

[@ArizonaGuyone]

Absolutely love it Sounds wonderful , yeah no need for a radio

[@robertlewchi3965]

Bill is the Best

[@Andrew-zs5tc]

13 days without a Bill weather report. How are we to know if it is wonderful pleasant weather or miserable in Florida?

[@CDurham1]

Great video Bill.. though I have to admit.. trying to talk over that 440 makes you sound like the teacher on the Charlie Brown cartoons..

[@viewbig]

That car is 🔥

[@MrMikepresley]

I remember seeing the Dodge Dart's, and Swingers on the streets when I was a kid in the 70's, always looking in the windows to see their speedometers and try to guess if it was a 120 max or 140 on the guage.

[@mikedempsey7804]

Bill...a guy like you could really get some chicks with this thing! Thanks for the description of pro stock, pro street, etc. and what defines them. I have never been into a drag racing set up or street car, but had always wondered about the narrow axle with wide tires. For sure an era gone by, always a fun video to just build a strong Scotch and sit back, whilst enjoying the narration!

[@MrRhino10]

Cant wait to watch this

[@quirksandfeatures3215]

Bill the kind of guy to smoke a cigarette in the shower

[@ValdezJu]

Nice one! 😹👌👍

[@12yearssober]

And complain about all the steam

[@egold2071]

​@@12yearssober The MIST, as he always says

[@robertdula861]

“ some nitwit in a hopped up civic”……PRICELESS!!!😂

[@watchingitallhere]

Jesus. You get some great cars... Choice one here. 👌

[@hgg2577]

This thing is insane... ❤

[@saraflores9601]

What a flashback to 80's car culture.

[@CrispusAttucks2315]

Awesome!!! Love your videos!!! Keep them up!!

[@turbo8454]

I guess you didn't notice but at the top of the engine spec sheet it indicated that it is a 540 cubic inch stroker.

[@MarinCipollina]

Oh really ??!!

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

This was the SRT Demon of the 1970s.

[@mikefleissner4415]

Kickass .Bill

[@autochatter]

This has to be the exact opposite of that 79 Lincoln Versais you did recently!

[@markohara6855]

Awesome video sir!

[@rogerpritchard]

Take care Bill, hope you haven't been effected by the recent storm.

[@shinymonktouchymonk3662]

This video was the most fun I've had in 6 months. Thx, Bill

[@vinnybruce2874]

Oh my God my grandmom used to have one and nearly was gonna get it. Hers was a slant six

[@mitto4504]

Ok now that’s cool 👍

[@MarinCipollina]

Thanks for this one, Bill.. Cool ride.. Not sure why getting shorter videos is an objective for you, 45 - 50 minute range seems ideal.

[@ronaldrey8474]

The Best Looking Dart that I can recall . Love the wide-track or spacer on the front pizza cutters. Most are In-Set but this is PERFECT except the pro street scribe on the scoop. Lol BEAUTIFUL & NASTY so female name ??

[@AnthonyD28]

Bill, I hope I'm the first one to wish you a happy Easter 2023