Dodge Dart GSS (Grand Spaulding Dodge)
Back in the early ’60s, the performance market could have been more interesting for mainstream dealers. However, some specialized dealers like Norm Kraus’s Grand Spaulding Dodge paid attention to the performance market and youthful buyers. When the muscle car era launched, Kraus’ dealership was more than ready with a full selection of performance parts, components, and cars, but the real climb to fame was the fact that Mr. Norm did something Dodge thought was impossible (via Motor Trend).
Kraus wanted a 383 V8 engine in a compact Dodge Dart body. He knew that it would sell because the Dart was a lightweight car. And with a potent 383, it would truly be fast. However, the Dodge engineering team didn’t believe that a 383 V8 wouldn’t fit the small Dart’s engine bay. So he ordered a brand new Dart and a crate 383 V8 engine, and in a few days, a Dodge Dart GSS (Grand Spaulding Special) was born. Even though the Dart GSS was a specially built tuner model, it proved to be a very influential and well-known piece of Mopar’s performance history.