64 Dart Convertible rescue
Sometimes resto projects find you.
I have several early A-bodies and wasn't really looking for more right now. But at the back of my mind, someday out there I'd like to find an original black 64 Dart convertible like my beloved 64 GT. And then this one appeared out of nowhere, and you guess what happened next. (short version: it's safely at my shop now)
Restoration projects get stalled for various reasons, good and bad, this is one of the bad stories. The previous owner left this convertible in the hands of a 'helper' to get it ready for paint. The helper stripped it, sanded, it and then left it to rust. But worse than that - they took the car's interior, and all the trim, and -threw-it-away-. AAAaaaahhhhhggggghh!
I know, me too. The previous owner was so upset that they've been unable to bear the sight of the car and I that's why I wound up with it. I don't mind hard luck cases, and I do have a stash of extra 64 Dart interior parts for my GT, so that's a start.
The good news is the car is straight and amazingly solid - especially the floors. The convertible top hardware is all there. including the power top motor pump and cylinders. The rear quarter panels are solid and unrusted!
More good news - the original 273 with power steering is still there and relatively unmolested, and turns freely, even the spark plug wire looms are still in place. The pushbutton 904 is intact and undisturbed. Mechanically the car is solid and mostly intact.
Here's the want list so far. If you have any of these parts let me know. Some of these are common but some not so much:
ALL the convertible trim (yikes!)
convertible rear seat (narrow)
GT trim - the narrow strips that go around the color stripe, including the cast end pieces (yikes!)
64 grille
valence
front parking lights and trim
bumpers and mounts, front and rear
rear taillight bezels and lenses (yikes!)
rear quarter top trim strips
hood trim
wheel opening trim
rocker trim
Stuff I already have:
rear seat convertible side panels
front seats
door panels
replacement doors
headlight bezels
On the way to a new home: they always seem so happy to be out and getting movement again, even on a trailer.
Sometimes resto projects find you.
I have several early A-bodies and wasn't really looking for more right now. But at the back of my mind, someday out there I'd like to find an original black 64 Dart convertible like my beloved 64 GT. And then this one appeared out of nowhere, and you guess what happened next. (short version: it's safely at my shop now)
Restoration projects get stalled for various reasons, good and bad, this is one of the bad stories. The previous owner left this convertible in the hands of a 'helper' to get it ready for paint. The helper stripped it, sanded, it and then left it to rust. But worse than that - they took the car's interior, and all the trim, and -threw-it-away-. AAAaaaahhhhhggggghh!
I know, me too. The previous owner was so upset that they've been unable to bear the sight of the car and I that's why I wound up with it. I don't mind hard luck cases, and I do have a stash of extra 64 Dart interior parts for my GT, so that's a start.
The good news is the car is straight and amazingly solid - especially the floors. The convertible top hardware is all there. including the power top motor pump and cylinders. The rear quarter panels are solid and unrusted!
More good news - the original 273 with power steering is still there and relatively unmolested, and turns freely, even the spark plug wire looms are still in place. The pushbutton 904 is intact and undisturbed. Mechanically the car is solid and mostly intact.
Here's the want list so far. If you have any of these parts let me know. Some of these are common but some not so much:
ALL the convertible trim (yikes!)
convertible rear seat (narrow)
GT trim - the narrow strips that go around the color stripe, including the cast end pieces (yikes!)
64 grille
valence
front parking lights and trim
bumpers and mounts, front and rear
rear taillight bezels and lenses (yikes!)
rear quarter top trim strips
hood trim
wheel opening trim
rocker trim
Stuff I already have:
rear seat convertible side panels
front seats
door panels
replacement doors
headlight bezels
On the way to a new home: they always seem so happy to be out and getting movement again, even on a trailer.
