09/01/2026
As mentioned last month, we are profiling a person, 1st week of each month that has a great story or history with their car. This can be new or old. With that let’s meet this months Recipient JOHN TEUFEL and the history on his 1969 Dodge Dart GTS.
John’s love for this car goes back to sitting in a classroom at LaSalle high school in 1969. There were 2 guys in his class who purchased a 69 Dodge Dart GTS and knew he had to get one. Four years later September 1973 he purchased his current 69 Dodge GTS with a 340 motor factory 4 speed, 3.23 gear, color code F8 (forest green), black vinyl top, duel exhaust, Carter 650 CFM 4 barrel carburetor, 2 door hard top for just 1,200 dollars. 53 years later, he’s still driving his dream machine. He is just the 2nd owner!
History:
1969 The GTS model was the top of the Dart line and John’s car is just one of 1,022 built with the 340 motor and 4 speed. MSRP $3,226. It was the ultimate sleeper muscle car for drag racing.
John’s youth with the car:
He cruised the Frischs drive thru with that throaty sound of the duel exhaust, an easing over the speed bumps - with that little screech to launch over the apex.
November 1974 John made 4 passes at edgewater raceway turning in a low 15.1 time.
Restoration:
There was a 15 year “dark period” when the car sat in his mom’s garage, but he would fire it up once a year and occasionally take it to the Milford cruise in. The old girl started showing her age though with rusty qrt panels.
So finally in the fall of 2021 and over the next 7 months the makeover would include new qrt panels &fenders, gas tank, rebuilt cooling system, carpet, bucket seats, all floorboard & trunk rust addressed. Mopar R6 (color red) was applied and New cragar chrome wheels. During the restoration, the build sheet was found under the rear seat springs.
The new restored car made its debut at a car show in Lebanon, Ohio June 10th 2023 and won its first trophy for “Best Muscle Car”.
John frequents a few car shows each year and enjoys the camaraderie of people who love cars!
If anyone has stories, experiences like this please contact me at [email protected] or 513-795-3328.
You could be next months feature!
