Brian's 67 dart
Well, after a good nights sleep, my disappointment with a less than perfect car got back in focus a little better. The thing is forty years old get a grip! Being Sunday morning, we headed off to church and, upon arriving back at home, I began to consider the best course of action for getting my restoration under way.
From my last experience I knew there were at least three things that I needed to get my hands on be able to better enjoy this one: 1. A group of like-minded folks, 2. Good information about the car and, 3. A source for parts.
A group of like-minded folks would be helpful on several different levels. Though most people will admire the finished car, few can appreciate what it takes to get there. There are times that it is very reassuring to see others that are struggling with very similar problems and then share in their satisfaction in over coming them. Encouragement from people that have actually been where you are carries more weight that the general good will of folks who are just trying to be kind. Then there is the experience factor. You can be spared so many of the mistakes or disappointments that lie in wait for us by asking questions or just listening in on conversations of those who have been there before you. And finally, a successful project is the sum of many small successes. How many people can actually rejoice with you over getting a seat cover or patch panel on, or discovering the correct piece of linkage that you have been searching for months for? To be able to share these small victories along the journey keeps our enthusiasm high and gives us the patience needed for the long haul. In addition to a few folks I have located locally, this forum has provided all of this and more.
Good information is the key to being able to actually go through the entire car and getting the result that we want. I have been a professional auto mechanic for over 30 years, but still need good information to restore the car to its original condition. (Not to mention the fact that I havent seen this type car in my bay for over 20 years.) This information would include the factory repair manual, pictures of what things looked like when it was new, and some history of my actual car.
The Internet has opened the door to a great big world in this regard. From finding a reprint of the original factory manuals on Ebay to the many pictures scattered all over the cyber-world, I can sit at the kitchen table and the answer to any question is at my fingertips.
In addition, I couldnt believe the many publications and magazines dealing with Mopars that my first visit to the local Books-A-Million revealed. Mopar Action, Mopar Muscle, and Mopar Collectors Guide just to name a few. Then there are the many mags that deal with muscle cars in general and also the old standards like Hot Rod and Car Craft. The articles are great, the pictures answer questions, and even the ads supply information on sources for parts. So much of this has come about in just the last few years!
Parts have proved to be a mixed blessing. All my other builds (last one about 15 years ago), would be supplied with several good parts cars that a couple of weeks of driving around had netted. Before, I was able to come up with a 69 340 Swinger body, a 68 GTS BB body and several V8 and S6 hardtops for a song and within a few weeks; but that time is long gone and so are almost all those cars I had acquired.
This time, there just arent any left at least not any that you see from the road. To my surprise, the last parts car that I had bought (a 71 Plymouth hardtop) was still in the field that I had found it in and was still mine. The only other one that I have been able to get is a 4 door 67 Dart found in a local scrap metal yard that I was able to save from the crusher.
On the other hand, there are more reproduction parts being made with new ones being added every day. Year One has moved in just 10 minutes from the house and carries a good stock of the pieces I have asked for. Several Mopar only salvage yards have sprung up and have a good presence on the WEB. No to mention the big cyber-yard sale, Ebay. But all of this is sooo expensive! Total expense for the 69 GTS I finished in 95, including the car, the 340 engine (with parts and machine shop work), parts cars, new parts and paint & body was about 3 grand. This one may cost that much per square foot!
A few weeks after its arrival, my 67 Dart GT is setting in its tent flanked by a 71 2 door hardtop and a 67 4 door sedan. A stack of manuals and magazines are setting beside my computer and I have joined the NE GA Mopar Club and this forum it was time to jump in and start!
Brian