Rescue Mission- '71 Dart GT saved from the scrappers!
Ok, so I need another project like a need a hole in the head. But perusing Craigslist the other night I saw an ad for a '71 Dart GT, so I had to check it out. Only 1255 (depending on who you ask) made after all. So I read the add, and the guy wants to part it out if there's no takers!!! For me that's pretty much the same as posting up a cute puppy that needs a home and then saying they're going to shoot it tomorrow if no one comes!
So I went and took a look at it. Body is straighter than my other GT, but the vinyl top stayed on so the roof is rusty. That and a small spot in the trunk extension and the right rear quarter (just a small spot). Unfortunately, some jerk with a '67 barracuda had already parted a lot of the car, no drivetrain, stole the buckets and console :angry5:, and the 3.55 geared 8 3/4 :angryfir::angryfir::angryfir:. Even worse, the guy selling it now says he was going to CUT THE VINS OUT, part the rest and sell the shell for a rebody.
Needless to say, I bought the car. The roof should be pretty easy, I already have a '74 Dart "parts car" with a bent frame, but otherwise pristine roof and floors, so I've already got the roof skin. I have an B-body 8 3/4 I can probably use for it (the rear end in the pics was just a temporary swap from the parts car so I could move it, a 7.25). The seats and the console will be pricey though. And of course someone yanked the '71 only GT trim off the rockers. Boy I wish I could look up the last owner!
Anway, here's a partial decode and some pics. The decode is kinda interesting, its a Los Angeles built car, and even though there's no call outs for them on the fender tag the car has factory AC and a front sway bar. No luck on the build sheet, most LA cars didn't have them to start with and since the buckets and glove box were gone I didn't have many places to check, nothing behind the rear seat.
So now I'm the proud owner of 2 '71 Dart GT's!
LH23:
Dodge Dart,Demon
High
2 Door Hardtop
G1E: 318 230HP 1-2BBL 8 CYL
1971
Los Angeles, CA, USA
E44: 318 cid 2 barrel V8 230hp
D31: A904 3-Speed Auto Trans.
GK6: Dark Bronze Poly Exterior Color
H6X9: Trim - High, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Black
TX9: Black Int. Door Frames
428: Build Date: April 28
V1X: Full Vinyl Top, Black
U: USA Specifications
A01: Light Package
A61: Automatic Transmission Special Package
A65: Dart GT Package
C16: Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C55: Bucket Seats
G37: OS Dual Racing Mirrors
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
M25: Wide sill moldings
M31: Belt Moldings
M43: Grille Trim Moldings
N95: Emissions Control
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
V5X: Body Side Stripes, Black
Y14: Sold Car
END: End of Sales Codes
Ok, so I need another project like a need a hole in the head. But perusing Craigslist the other night I saw an ad for a '71 Dart GT, so I had to check it out. Only 1255 (depending on who you ask) made after all. So I read the add, and the guy wants to part it out if there's no takers!!! For me that's pretty much the same as posting up a cute puppy that needs a home and then saying they're going to shoot it tomorrow if no one comes!
So I went and took a look at it. Body is straighter than my other GT, but the vinyl top stayed on so the roof is rusty. That and a small spot in the trunk extension and the right rear quarter (just a small spot). Unfortunately, some jerk with a '67 barracuda had already parted a lot of the car, no drivetrain, stole the buckets and console :angry5:, and the 3.55 geared 8 3/4 :angryfir::angryfir::angryfir:. Even worse, the guy selling it now says he was going to CUT THE VINS OUT, part the rest and sell the shell for a rebody.
Needless to say, I bought the car. The roof should be pretty easy, I already have a '74 Dart "parts car" with a bent frame, but otherwise pristine roof and floors, so I've already got the roof skin. I have an B-body 8 3/4 I can probably use for it (the rear end in the pics was just a temporary swap from the parts car so I could move it, a 7.25). The seats and the console will be pricey though. And of course someone yanked the '71 only GT trim off the rockers. Boy I wish I could look up the last owner!
Anway, here's a partial decode and some pics. The decode is kinda interesting, its a Los Angeles built car, and even though there's no call outs for them on the fender tag the car has factory AC and a front sway bar. No luck on the build sheet, most LA cars didn't have them to start with and since the buckets and glove box were gone I didn't have many places to check, nothing behind the rear seat.
So now I'm the proud owner of 2 '71 Dart GT's!
LH23:
Dodge Dart,Demon
High
2 Door Hardtop
G1E: 318 230HP 1-2BBL 8 CYL
1971
Los Angeles, CA, USA
E44: 318 cid 2 barrel V8 230hp
D31: A904 3-Speed Auto Trans.
GK6: Dark Bronze Poly Exterior Color
H6X9: Trim - High, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Black
TX9: Black Int. Door Frames
428: Build Date: April 28
V1X: Full Vinyl Top, Black
U: USA Specifications
A01: Light Package
A61: Automatic Transmission Special Package
A65: Dart GT Package
C16: Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C55: Bucket Seats
G37: OS Dual Racing Mirrors
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
M25: Wide sill moldings
M31: Belt Moldings
M43: Grille Trim Moldings
N95: Emissions Control
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
V5X: Body Side Stripes, Black
Y14: Sold Car
END: End of Sales Codes