"Blind in Texas" '71 Dart build

[chargin']

I thought I would start a build thread on my '71 Dart. It's not a B body,but I'm a B body guy....I have a '68 Charger,and have a build thread going on my '69 Super bee. Also,everyone here seems pretty easy going,and I spend more time here. Anyway if it a problem just let me know and I won't post.

Back in the early 90's I wanted to pick up a future "project car". I already had a couple pretty radical B bodies,so after much thought I decided on a Dart. This was before techno world,so I was thumbing through a mopar collector guide,and found one in Texas. Talked to the guy and did a verbal agreement. I had a shipping company arranged to pick it up,what I didn't know was they had already left out of the Chicago area.To make a long story short...on a Saturday they picked the car up! I had not paid one cent on it,the seller let them take it, title and bill of sale,and let me wire him the money the following Monday. Bought it unseen "blind". Anyway,it showed up here on the east coast about a week later.

The first few pics are scanned so they may not be very good.

 

[a68postcar]

I own 2 A bodies. build on brother. keep them out of the crusher and we all win.

 

[mr. b]

I have a a body also so post it up

 

[Propwash]

Cool Beans! Good to see another Dart floating around here at B-Bodies! Looks like a pretty solid build.

 

[chargin']

I never really had a plan for the build,but after 18 years to think about it, I know how I would like it to turn out! A cruiser/street car and not to radical.Full interior with bench seat,disc front brakes,8.3/4 rear,and a 440 engine. Retain all the factory trim etc. I do all the work myself except for wiring...so it's going to be a slow process. A few more pics to get you up to date as the car is now.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Wow, I guess thats one way to deliver a car.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

I agree with what these guys above said. I think almost all of us here have owned an "A" body at one time or another. They are an often overlooked car and don't get the attention they deserve. You can make a very nice cruiser / sleeper out of one.

Build on brother !!!!!! Nice looking ride. One more being saved from the smelter.

I'm good with the thread as long as it has a "Mopar pentastar" on it...............

 

[chargin']

Wow, I guess thats one way to deliver a car.

You said it! I had a U S company pick the car up,circle through the west coast,bring it into Canada and then carry it 3/4 of the way to me. Then a Canadian company picked it up on a return trip and dropped it off to my door. Once in Canada it cost me twice as much....18 years later,not much has changed. Except the overall cost has gone up.

 

[chargin']

Seeing it was etched such a long time ago,I decided to re strip it to make sure all is good with the metal. I used a clean and strip wheel. Time consuming but it does a nice job. Started on the top.

 

[roadrunnerman]

I'm with everybody else. If it's MOPAR, bring on the photo's. Your car is no exception. Just think, your car has been all over the country without you behind the wheel.

 

[chargin']

Check out these rockers!!! The welder may be lonely on this build.

 

[roadrunnerman]

They don't get any cleaner or straighter than that. With the way some of these other cars here have come back to life, you're gonna think you're doing something wrong when you're working on yours.

 

[747mopar]

That's always a welcomed sight..............beautiful clean steal to work with ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I wish they would combine FBBO & FABO and just have 2 different restoration & project sections so we could all share together because they really aren't that much different anyways.

 

[chargin']

That's always a welcomed sight..............beautiful clean steal to work with ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I wish they would combine FBBO & FABO and just have 2 different restoration & project sections so we could all share together because they really aren't that much different anyways.

Very true; Being in the north/east I've done my fair share of rust repair. The main reason I decided to share this build here is because Prop is also doing a Dart build. Once I get the metal prepped, I'll be flopping back and forth between the Dart and Bee,and can update both cars progress. There is some rust where the rubber seal on the hood rubbed on the cowl.

 

[chargin']

Just a couple pics of the bottom...it's good enough to paint body color. I don't think I can deal with the heartache of it getting dirty though. May just do it satin/chassis black. Any recommendations on what to spray it with?

 

[chargin']

I managed to get the back section cleaned up and re-etched...no rust issues! However; you can see the rust in front of the cowl.

 

[chargin']

For this week I plan to take care of the rust on the cowl,and eliminate the AC, heater,and any other holes that won't be used. Just to clean it up.

 

[daredevil]

I,m a mod and I say its alright,I got a stalled a body project too.

 

[Budnicks]

sounds & looks like a nice Dart project, good luck & have fun

 

[chargin']

I,m a mod and I say its alright,I got a stalled a body project too.

Thanks. What do you have for an A body?