64 Dart Convertible rescue
Yes indeed. I'm usually not a purist, I think these cars should be driven and enjoyed, but then again, when it comes to the rarer ones they really do deserve to be close to stock condition.
As near as I can tell the car was originally triple black - body, interior and top - with a white GT stripe. I could be wrong, maybe the top was white and the stripe was black? Except remnants of the top are black, unless it was replaced. The stripe is sanded away completely so it's hard to tell. Like this stripe (not my car):
However, I have most of a red interior, seats and door panels, and or a long time my dream has been to find a black/red/red GT convertible, like this (not my car):
But that said, the dash and steering wheel of my car are black, a cool color and not that common among early A bodies. I've been looking at all the reference photos I can find, and it seems like in every case the seats match the dash, I don't see any original examples of a two-tone interior aside from the high trim seats which had a white panel. So that suggests I should go with a black interior - and dying red interior parts black should be doable (more than going from a dark to light color anyway).
At present my thinking is a black interior and red side stripe. The stripe would be easy to repaint back to white for originality, compared to changing a non-original interior color.
But otherwise - mechanically etc - absolutely. Especially that unmolested original engine compartment, going to touch that as little as possible, clean it up and keep it as is. I love the 273, and have driven one for years with a 7 1/4" rear end which is lightweight and efficient - no racing or burnouts and it shoul dbe OK. And I love the 64 original covers on 13" wheels. So yeah, going for mostly original.
Yes indeed. I'm usually not a purist, I think these cars should be driven and enjoyed, but then again, when it comes to the rarer ones they really do deserve to be close to stock condition.
As near as I can tell the car was originally triple black - body, interior and top - with a white GT stripe. I could be wrong, maybe the top was white and the stripe was black? Except remnants of the top are black, unless it was replaced. The stripe is sanded away completely so it's hard to tell. Like this stripe (not my car):
However, I have most of a red interior, seats and door panels, and or a long time my dream has been to find a black/red/red GT convertible, like this (not my car):
But that said, the dash and steering wheel of my car are black, a cool color and not that common among early A bodies. I've been looking at all the reference photos I can find, and it seems like in every case the seats match the dash, I don't see any original examples of a two-tone interior aside from the high trim seats which had a white panel. So that suggests I should go with a black interior - and dying red interior parts black should be doable (more than going from a dark to light color anyway).
At present my thinking is a black interior and red side stripe. The stripe would be easy to repaint back to white for originality, compared to changing a non-original interior color.
But otherwise - mechanically etc - absolutely. Especially that unmolested original engine compartment, going to touch that as little as possible, clean it up and keep it as is. I love the 273, and have driven one for years with a 7 1/4" rear end which is lightweight and efficient - no racing or burnouts and it shoul dbe OK. And I love the 64 original covers on 13" wheels. So yeah, going for mostly original.
