1965 Dodge Dart Restoration
| This car has lived a very tough life. The owner bought it in 1967 when it had about 28,000 miles on it. His daughter drove the car as a teenager. In 1968 the car was in a flood. The water level reached the center of the head lights (see photo below). The owner removed the interior, hosed the car out and let everything dry out. He also drained the lubricants out and refilled everything. Then the car sat. A year or two later it was flooded again! This time the water level went over the hood. With all of the interior still out of the car it was again washed out. Then it sat for a long time..... until 2005. When the owner decided it was time to finally put the car back to its former glory he talked to me about restoring it for him. Now, when he started talking about the two floods, the car sitting for nearly 40 years in the garage, I was picturing a block of swiss cheese being brought to the shop. Was I ever suprised! The floors were rock solid and the ONLY body rust was the lower quarter panels. The car was actually very rust free. Even the suspension bolts came loose without any problems. Once I got into the motor and transmission I was even more suprised. Some moisture had collected in the valve body and rusted a very small pin hole in the seperator plate. That was it! No more rust to be found. The motor was rebuilt with a fresh bore, new pistons, rings, bearing etc. A very mild Lunati cam was installed to kick it up a notch. The front suspension was rebuilt along with the brakes. All new brake and fuel lines were installed (one place that did have rust issues) and the rear end disassembled and cleaned. This little car is showing 48,000 miles on the odometer and when it is finally started and driven will be just like driving it off the show room floor. On a side note.... the owner is 83 and anxious to drive it again! |
Doors and jambs painted
Floor painted
Jamb detail
Engine compartment
Hood
Grille area
Trunk stripped and painted
Another view of the trunk
We have paint!
Wet sanding in progress
Getting buffed
Sweeet! 273 High Performance
This should run real nice
Master cylinder and brake lines replaced.
Motor in its home!
Brakes and supension finished
Rear end finished up.
Black out behind grill painted.
This is the water line from the first flood the car was in.
We left it there as a reminder of the tough life this car has had.
The freshly restored trunk finish panel.
Rear mouldings and bumper installed.
Getting down to the last few interior items.
Rear seat and package tray installed.
Down to the carb, P/S hose and this thing is ready to fire up!
Bumper and last of the exterior mouldings installed.
Almost there. A few last details and this car is ready to give back to the customer.
Still needing the backup lamp lenses. Dual exhaust sounds sweet on this one!
Right hand view..... still looks good!
Nice view of the car. That is the proud owner admiring it.
Interior almost complete. Still waiting on the gas and brake pedal to arrive.
Good view of the original vinyl top material.
Put on the air cleaner and this is ready to rumble!
Trunk ready to pack down with goodies for a road trip. (No.... the speaker won't stay there)
A shot of the deck lid.
The Last Detail
Getting the last of the fingerprints, polishing compund etc. cleaned up.
Lookin' good.
Vacuumed out and ready for cruisin'
.... more pics.
Minutes before the customer picked it up.
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