COPO vs M & O Mopar

[copo9566aa]

Estimated production for M-Code Mopar in 69
358* Cuda
640* Dart GTS
1,907* Bee
1,432* Road
and similar to COPO no ragtop M-code.

[sixtiesmuscle]

I don't know where you got those figures, but, the Cudas & Darts were nowhere near that high from my sources. Maybe some Mopar experts can chime in?

[Rat_Pack]

sixtiesmuscle, the counts look correct except the Cuda, I show 340 M code automatic Cudas shipped. Galen could have come up with another 18 cars since I last researched this. Same goes for the Dart GTS, 640 shipped and all were automatics. Option code A13 Engine Conversion Pkg 440 1- 4bbl. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] ............RatPack...............

[SuperCars]

Looking in a Mopar Muscle magazine article by Galen Govier called "By the Numbers" it does show the 69 M-code motor numbers as posted.

It is the 68 M code cars that were much less in numbers. The 68 Dart 440 "GSS" (Grand Spaulding Special) built by Dodge/Hurst was exclusive for Mr Norm with 48 built, 6 surviving today. There were no 68 440 Cuda's on Galen's list.

"Mr Norm's" 68 GSS 440 Hurst Dart was a "sleeper" street car that was overshadowed by 68 Hurst Hemi Darts in recognition. But, I would not hesitate to say that I believe the 68 GSS 440 Hurst Dart would give my 427 Yenko Nova a run for the money at the strip. They were both big blocks with similar body weight. With 6 surviving 68 GSS 440 Hurst Dart's exist, it is of similiar rarity as the 427 Yenko Nova as well.

[JoeC]

Was the M code a special order car?
In general, there were 3 ways to build factory hi performance cars. 1) regular production order, 2) special production order, 3) off site vendor production.
The Hemi Dart/Bcuda, SS AMC, 429 Mustang and others were done by outside vendors. The ZL1/L88 Corvette, LS6 Chevelle, L72 passenger, L89, L78, Z/28, and others were very hi po cars but still done RPO. What is unique about the 427 COPOs, and LT1 Nova is that they were built by special order production in-house. Almost like an undercover operation with no special ID (not even SS), and little dealer info. Super Stock drag cars coming down the line hidden among the 6cly grandma cars. In my opinion, Chevy probably only wanted to make about 50 of each to satisfy NHRA Super Stock rules. Along came Don Yenko who said "I don't want 50 L72s .....I want 500...I can slap on some stripes and sell them as an sYc"
I don't know a lot about the M codes but I think they were regular production not done as secretive as COPOs.

[copo9566aa]

Joe
Look for an "M" as the 5TH digit of the VIN.
It denotes a- Special Order.
Chevy copy Mopar or Mopar copy Chevy ???
Just comparing a COPO chevelle VS a B/Body M-Code
It's very similar
Spªcial Hood(SS For the COPO)(Fiberlass lift off for the Mopar)
Standard rear end ratio for The COPO 4.10 and M-/B-Body 4.10
etc...
Kevin
I have no idea of the value of a 68 M-440 GSS on the market.
68 GTS 440 4-Speed: 48 (Hurst-Campbell built)
'68 GTS 440 Auto Trans: 30 (Hurst-Campbell built)
For the match my vote is for the Yenko Nova. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
The only problem for the nova is the traction.

[SuperCars]

Myself and most, especially on a Yenko site; would probably vote on the Nova also. But ask for a vote on a Mopar site, and the opposite may happen.

Does any one know the weight of each one as equipped? the Dart is a likewise very light car which would have traction problems too. The L72 427 is factory rated at 425 HP, wheras the 440 is factory rated at 375 HP. But remember these are factory advertised numbers which are sometimes manipulated, so I wonder what each engine would truly Dyno at?

[SS427]

For those interested, there is a very nice little article written on one of the '68 Dart GSS's in the December issue of Musclecar Magazine, page 14.

[SuperCars]

Hi Rick, is the Musclecar magazine the new one that some say they've recieved in the mail without having subscribed? Is it available on the news stands. Jerry Heasley said for me to send him $20 and he'd send my name into start receiving it? In any event I'd like to see the 68 GSS Dart article.

There already are numerous large Mopar Registry's that have been in existence for quite some time, already including all the M code cars.

[SS427]

Kevin,
I believe that is one and the same. However, I do not think it is available on the newsstand as of this time. Jerry is the Ford Editor and Curt Patterson is President and it is a very nice magazine in it's infancy. See the attachment for a small photo to give you an idea of the article.
Rick