HERITAGE COLLECTION NO 14 THE GSM DART
"A SOUTH AFRICAN LEGEND"
"We have had the trouble with the Dart that people believe it is
a racing car.
It is not. It is a sports model."
Bob van Niekerk - Managing Director and Co-founder of Glassport
Motor Company
Looking back it was both. It was a
sports racing car but it was also a road car with tremendous
character. In 1959 CAR Magazine in a road test complained it was not
easy to gain access to the driving seat when the hard top was in
position. Further, the cockpit becomes a trifle warm on hot days. It
also has a somewhat Spartan finish. The test concluded -"It is
essentially a car for the enthusiast. Aside, however, from these
imperfections, the Dart has much to commend it. Its road holding and
steering are superb; its seats prove just right in that the driver
and passenger are securely but comfortably held; its lines are
elegant; its manner of going on the open road is highly satisfying.
Although CAR re-tested the Dart in May 1961 it was still somewhat
critical on finish and comfort.
I have always felt that it was rather a pity that the testers were
expecting characterless saloon car comfort from a car which had a
charm and charisma which can never be repeated. CAR should have
first had a go in a Lotus 7 or a Morgan before trying to make
comparisons.
That fact was and is that the Dart is a road car with all the
indicators and controls in the right place, a boot, a removable
hard-top, framed side screens and a cubby hole. It was not only a
performer but also safe to drive with very predictable road manners.
The Dart had an uniqueness of its own and the fact that it was also
raced was to its credit, it was not a racing car which became
converted for road use but rather a road sports car which
enthusiasts raced.
Its Origin
The Dart was conceived by Willie
Meissner, Bob van Nieckerk and Verster de Wit in 1957. The chassis
is a simple ladder type frame of 3 1/2 inch diameter tube. This was
swept up at the back to accept the coil spring/shock units attached
originally to a 100E (1ater 105E) live rear axle. The rear axle had
no anti-roll bar but was firmly held by four rods and an A-bracket.
The front suspension was based on lower wishbones with a transverse
leaf spring at the top. The leaf spring was secured in such a way as
to provide an S shape to increase roll stiffness.
This chassis unit was then bonded to a very attractive glass-fibre
body. The all-enveloping body was moulded straight onto the chassis
members. The hard top with sharp cut-away was unique in respect of
it preceding the cut-back Ford Anglia by some two years. The
detachable hardtop came as standard equipment with the car.
Whilst running gear was standard Ford 100E (later 105E), engines
were of a great variety. Originally the Darts were produced with
Ford 100E 1172 cc engines with the Willment OHV conversions. The
output of these units was about 52 BHP. With the later Anglia lO5E
in mild tune power was quoted at 65 BHP. The Dart was also offered
with a 85 BHP 1100 cc Coventry Climax unit. However, this model cost
about R1 000 more. The 1300 Alfa engine was another option. It is
doubtful if all but a few cars left the factory with Ford engines.
Most owners preferred to convert them to the engine which suited
them most. Essentially Darts were manufactured with 1172 cc 100E,
997 cc 105E, 1200 cc 105E, and finally the 1500 cc Cortina CT unit.
The final seven units produced were outright racing models known as
the 1500 R.
The UK Delta
Whilst the Dart was conceived in South
Africa it was first produced in the UK. Its mould and chassis
development took place behind Windsor Garage on the road to London
near Kent. After the prototypes had been completed the moulds were
shipped to South Africa. In 1960 the Dart returned to the UK and
went into limited production. It was known in the UK market as the
GSM Delta. It is claimed that some 90 Deltas were produced in the
UK. This figure seems very high.
The racing success of the Delta was innumerable and many later
famous names started their racing careers with the Delta. Keith
Holland, Jeff Uren and Bob van Niekerk were the main promoters of
the Delta in the UK and European racetracks in the early sixties.
The SA Dart
The South African Dart was, except for
a few minor differences, virtually the same as its UK counterpart.
Production started in 1958 and by 1964 some 107 units had been
produced. Production ceased in 1964 for economic reasons. The
Flamingo was a development of the Dart and proved far more popular,
initially at least. However, small volume specialist car makers did
not stand much of a chance in those days where no price
differentiation for something special and exclusive existed.
For us South Africans we can be proud of the GSM Dart which made it
in such a big way in terms of concept, design, and success on the
road and race track. That more than a third still exist is
indicative of its robust nature and increasing esteem it holds
amongst today's generation who consider it more than just worthwhile
to pursue old chassis and cars and rebuild them to their former
glory.
PETER DU TOIT
Heritage Collection Car Register: APRIL 1984
designed, hosted and sponsored by Response Group Trendline