1969 Chevy Nova SS Squares Off With A 1969 Dodge Dart GTS: Video
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While not quite as famous as the Chevy Camaro or Chevelle, the compact Chevy Nova was an impressive performance offering from General Motors – especially in the sought-after Super Sport guise.
The Detroit muscle-obsessed YouTube channel Cars and Zebras recently filmed a 1969 Chevy Nova SS during an event for the Factory Appearing Stock Tire (FAST) series at Mid Michigan Motorplex. This beautiful Rally Green two-door found a worthy foe at the races in the way of a 1969 Dodge Dart GTS, so naturally, Cars and Zebras got out their camera and filmed the two going head-to-head.
Before we get into the race itself, let’s have a look at the tale of the tape and see how these two American-bred muscle coupes match up on paper. The 1969 Chevy Nova SS left the factory with the legendary L78 396 V8, which was estimated to produce about 375 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels through a TH400 four-speed automatic transmission and a set of 4.11 gears. It also tips the scales at 3,410 pounds with the driver behind the wheel, making this a relatively light car considering the thick-gauge steel it’s comprised of.
Now let’s move over to the other corner and turn our attention to the 1969 Dodge Dart GTS. This Dart is equipped with Dodge’s 340 V8, which had an estimated output of around 275 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. It sends power through a four-speed automatic transmission and a set of aggressive 4.30 gears. That short gearing will pay dividends in this race, as the Dart is not only less powerful than the Nova but also heavier, tipping the scales at around 3,626 pounds with the driver accounted for.
With all that in mind, which of these two vintage Detroit muscle machines do you think will win? Place your bets and click play on the video embedded below to see which is victorious.
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I had a 70 Nova for a first car that my father gave me. The color was Autumn gold and had a 350 in it. That car was fast as hell. Wish I still owned it.
Neither one of these cars are 4sp auto’s both are 3sp’s, 4sp automatic didn’t come out until mid 1984 unless both these cars were upgraded to later model transmissions
@Jim R I guess they’re counting reverse … 🤣
🤣 yeah didn’t think of that 😁
I have to object to this and put it in the “SILLY” category for the following reasons 1) The Swinger is obviously hauling around a 3.91 Sure-Grip (at 1/8 mile ahead of Nova) My ’69 Swinger 4-speed would start floatin’ the valves about 300′ short of the end of the 1/4 with that rear and no speed increase- already at 96mph. 2) The times are ridiculous. The world record for an unmolested 340 in competition is 13.39 seconds, so 13.07 for a bone-stock 340 is dreaming. 3) what kind of race puts a 56 cu. in. displacement advantage (actually63– the 340 was 338-the 396 was actually 401) against you? 4) The Nova numbers also appear unrealistic for a slushbox. In short this is what would happen when i would have a go with a 396 Nova Automatic– I’d be ahead for just past 70% of the 1/4, then the Chevys torque would push it past me- JUST barely. My best time with no mods- 13.91. – It was harder to beat 327 1967 4-speed Malibus–(Beaumonts) in short street races than 396 auto Novas. Thanks
Your ignorance is astounding. First off, it obviously lists in the video that this is a time trial… They were not paired together. Also, if you paid attention to pure stock racing you would realize it is a CLASS of dragracing and allows modifications… Just like the class has since the NHRA started it in ‘62. Very easy for these cars to run times like that in this class…. And they aren’t even close to the quickest ones. Lastly, the Dart most definitely has a 4.30 gear set. The owner has been racing it for quite some time and tried other sets, he settled on 4.30. I just laugh at people like yourself that pretend to know everything, but obviously have no experience or understanding of a class that has been around for over 50 years.
Pete Rods Actually, your ignorance is astounding to me . The whole catch title was that a Dart SQUARES OFF against a Nova–TRADITIONALLY AND ALWAYS this would mean in ANY reputable published article that a STOCK Dart would run against STOCK Nova, or that the allowable changes would be matched- —– you’re the brainless twit in this equation. Modified cars with no particular agreement in allowable modifications are NOT “SQUARING OFF” they are simply just racing, regardless of the class, you brain dead moron. All of your comments just show how ignorant you are when the term “SQUARING OFF” is used in these publications.
Um, you don’t understand drag racing moron. BOTH CARS ARE MODIFIED ACCORDING TO THE ALLOWED RULES. This is a very simple concept, but you are obviously too dumb to get that. And do you seriously not understand that “squaring off” is just another term for drag racing each other? Since when does that term insinuate showroom stock? Your dementia is showing.