New Member - Thinking about saving a 69 Dart
06-05-2012, 01:47 PM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New Member - Thinking about saving a 69 Dart
Hello all.
I've been raised on Mopar, but the last 12 years or so I've been messing around strictly with Mercedes Benz. Well, I'm in a pretty good spot with the Benz I've got now (1999 C43 AMG) and have gotten nostalgic for a Dart.
When I was a kid, my dad bought my brother and I a superb, pristine '72 Dart for us to fix up while he was out of the country working. It was in amazingly good shape. All it needed was an engine! It was one of those really rare garage finds and he snagged it for a song. But, we didn't care. We ignored it and let it go for $400 a year later. The fool slapped some junked 360 in it, raw-hided it for a few weeks, and got drunk and crashed it. Such a shame.
I'm thinking about getting another old Dart to fix up. I'm thinking long-term DIY. Here's the car in question. I was told it was in "cherry" condition. I'm too far from it, so a friend in the area went and snapped a couple pics for me. He says it looks better than the pictures indicate, but I'm still a bit afraid of biting off a restoration the likes of this. (notice the tree/bush that appears to be growing up in front of the driver's seat)
What do you think? Abandon it and move on to something that's not as far gone? I'm a very advanced DIY'er when it comes to my Benz history, but this might be more than I can handle.
Friend that saw it said the body, from all angles, looked 100% straight with very little rust, and that the hood looked fine but had been unbolted and turned around backwards. Said the front and rears both looked tip top. But it's what's on bottom that he can't see that troubles me. He said the entire trunk bottom was solid, but didn't get to see the floorpans.
I've been raised on Mopar, but the last 12 years or so I've been messing around strictly with Mercedes Benz. Well, I'm in a pretty good spot with the Benz I've got now (1999 C43 AMG) and have gotten nostalgic for a Dart.
When I was a kid, my dad bought my brother and I a superb, pristine '72 Dart for us to fix up while he was out of the country working. It was in amazingly good shape. All it needed was an engine! It was one of those really rare garage finds and he snagged it for a song. But, we didn't care. We ignored it and let it go for $400 a year later. The fool slapped some junked 360 in it, raw-hided it for a few weeks, and got drunk and crashed it. Such a shame.
I'm thinking about getting another old Dart to fix up. I'm thinking long-term DIY. Here's the car in question. I was told it was in "cherry" condition. I'm too far from it, so a friend in the area went and snapped a couple pics for me. He says it looks better than the pictures indicate, but I'm still a bit afraid of biting off a restoration the likes of this. (notice the tree/bush that appears to be growing up in front of the driver's seat)
What do you think? Abandon it and move on to something that's not as far gone? I'm a very advanced DIY'er when it comes to my Benz history, but this might be more than I can handle.
Friend that saw it said the body, from all angles, looked 100% straight with very little rust, and that the hood looked fine but had been unbolted and turned around backwards. Said the front and rears both looked tip top. But it's what's on bottom that he can't see that troubles me. He said the entire trunk bottom was solid, but didn't get to see the floorpans.
06-05-2012, 03:31 PM
#5
Mopar Fanatic
Its hard to buy anything for $500 anymore-I would do it- if you deciede its not what you want, you will most likely get your money back out of it-thats a pretty small investment! Scrap value is probably $200-$300 on it (dont do that though)
06-06-2012, 09:18 AM
#8
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Everyone and their mother is trying desperately to talk me out of this--that I need to find something that doesn't need a complete and total frame-off restoration or entirely new floor pans.
Such a conundrum!
Such a conundrum!
06-06-2012, 03:11 PM
#9
Mopar Fanatic
Pretty much any car u pull out of the weeds now a days is gonna need some kind of metal work. How are the sub frames on it and that floor pan isnt that bad at least to me i rather do that then quarter panels. From the pictures you gave doesnt look to bad but a decent amount of work to do. Would be a cool cruiser or bruiser though. 500 is pretty cheap now adays the cars i seen for that price are ready for the crusher. Some what decent projects your lucky if you can get for 1200 anymore.
Last edited by Mr.Duster; 06-06-2012 at 03:14 PM.
06-06-2012, 06:11 PM
#10
Mopar Fanatic
I have been building cars since i was around 13 y.o. started with racecars and after a stint in the Air Force [8 years] i began to fool around with street cars i have done around 8 cars since 1989 [engine,suspension,brakes,interior ect.] never did body work always had it done [cheeply] or metal work [welding] by friends. This past year [april 2012] my son decided to purchase a project for he and i to work on,him or i don't know how to weld,fabricate,do body work,paint. This is what we started with and where we are at as of today. I am very pleased with my progress altho it ain't gonna be a showstopper i think it's coming along nicely. I think you should go for it at the price it is worth that in parts i say go for it. Check out my project.
http://s1138.photobucket.com/albums/...ger%20project/
http://s1138.photobucket.com/albums/...ger%20project/
06-20-2012, 12:55 PM
#15
Mopar Fanatic
Can be a REAL PIA.... I would walk if it were here in Texas... Its a REAL PIA here to get a vehicle titled in texas without any kind of paperwork... I dont know what state you are in so am unfamiliar with your laws, but thats the place to start, see what kind of hoops you will have to go thru to get it titled/registered... Some states doesnt require a title for older cars... M2C
06-22-2012, 08:37 PM
#17
You will need to go to your county clerk with the Dept. of Revenue. Ask them about registration for a vehicle that has no history, no title, and needs to be restored. They may cut you a break since it looks practically useless at this point. Regardless, just call up the Dept. of Revenue and they should tell you. You may be able to call (615) 253-0600 and they will tell you (that phone number is right off of the footer on the Dept. of Revenue's website.). Try dropping in or try calling them and ask about it. Make sure they know that there is no title, and no history on it. If you can find a VIN, at least let them know you have the VIN. Hope all goes well, this looks like it could be a fun project!
06-22-2012, 10:34 PM
#18
Hi, I think that I would not take a big project if I COULDN'T look it over real good.When your story included a barn find in good condition-Well look at the Dart sitting on the grass in the field,I would think that the car has got to have the ground moister rusting to the bottom- up. I think you may be able to find something in little better shape.Good luck.And always follow your dreams...
08-24-2013, 07:16 AM
#19
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Figured I'd chime in with the outcome:
The guy selling it yanked it out by the road and it sold within a few days. I live 3 hours away, and it was going to be a few weeks before I could get back up there with
and a truck/trailer. He pulled the trigger and let someone else get it. I'm still in love with it and had big dreams of painting it white, keeping the Custom trim line, dropping in a 340 or a junkyard semi hemi with AC. Oh well, it's gone.
I'd prefer to find another 67-69 dart, especially a "Custom" like this one. I think that line of trim down the side really sets it apart.
Anyway, it's gone. Only Mopar I've got now is my 85 3/4ton I just "inherited" from my father (he's had a stroke and can't drive). Really stout truck with a built 360. It will come in handy when it's time to haul my Dart home on a trailer.
The guy selling it yanked it out by the road and it sold within a few days. I live 3 hours away, and it was going to be a few weeks before I could get back up there with
and a truck/trailer. He pulled the trigger and let someone else get it. I'm still in love with it and had big dreams of painting it white, keeping the Custom trim line, dropping in a 340 or a junkyard semi hemi with AC. Oh well, it's gone.I'd prefer to find another 67-69 dart, especially a "Custom" like this one. I think that line of trim down the side really sets it apart.
Anyway, it's gone. Only Mopar I've got now is my 85 3/4ton I just "inherited" from my father (he's had a stroke and can't drive). Really stout truck with a built 360. It will come in handy when it's time to haul my Dart home on a trailer.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
