'71 Darticus Minimalisticus

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Cevidicus

Cevidicus

CevidiGrinch
Joined
Mar 14, 2008
Messages
906
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Location
West Central Texas
About a year ago I picked up this 71 Dart out of a feild in West Texas. It is a slant six, column shifted automatic, A/C car with small bolt pattern drum brakes all around. It has very little rust but it does have some areas that need repair. There is also some body damage to the front and rear valances, driver side 1/4 panel, and the passenger side fender extention. But all in all its not bad and is the most solid of all my A-Bodies.

The goal for this car is to make use of the abundance of parts I have on hand to get this car running and driving while spending the absolute minimum amount of cash to achieve this goal. I have a 72 4 door Dart and a 73 Dart that will supply many parts. Since I have 3-4 complete slant six engines, this will be the powerplant of choice. Later I may upgrade to a v-8 or a turbo on the /6. Only time will tell.

For now I plan to just keep the small bolt pattern 14" wheels and brake system. But I will be upgrading to LBP later at some point bofore any power plant upgrades are made.

This will be a slow project with no defined time frame for completion. I'll be using as much as I can from the 2 parts cars to avoid spending as much money as I can. Keep it minimal and frugal.

Thanks,
Cevidicus

First pic features my dog, Phelenie Monroe, yawning cus Im not gonna put a v-8 in it. LOL
 

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I can't wait to see more.
This is exactly the way i'm going with my projects.
 
I plan to swap the entire front suspension from the 73 dart /6 car to the '71.

Several advantages to swapping this suspension:
1. Suspension parts are less expensive vs '71 style
2. Spool type motor Mounts
3. Big ball joint upper control arms
4. the drum brake spindles can be upgraded to the 11.75" rotors and either Viper or Willwood calipers later on.
5. Or, I could swap on a F,M,J disk brake set up
6. Most importantly, I have it and it's free.
Probably more advantages that I did not list.

It's about making the most of what I have acumulated over time with a well thought out plan of attack.

Thankfully, I have learned alot from being on FABO.
 
Congratulations on the find looks like a great project car. Gonna be a lot of work ahead of you! Not to mention a lot of money no matter how you look at it. Best of luck, interested to see this build! While your at the front suspension if you want some bigger torsion bars I have some that came out of a 318 I can let go for cheap. I also have lots of parts engine's, tranny's, rear ends, and such I could probably help you out and give you some parts if need be.
 
A few more pics... I was very surprised by the condition of the spare tire well. Especially since there was so much carpet and junk in the trunk.
 

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Looks good,my favorite kind of project.Built a 67 notchback cuda this way.
 
Dustin The PcP said:
Congratulations on the find looks like a great project car. Gonna be a lot of work ahead of you! Not to mention a lot of money no matter how you look at it. Best of luck, interested to see this build! While your at the front suspension if you want some bigger torsion bars I have some that came out of a 318 I can let go for cheap. I also have lots of parts engine's, tranny's, rear ends, and such I could probably help you out and give you some parts if need be.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliments, Bro.

I know that there will be expenses that are unavoidable. Like a windshield, belts, hoses, lights, tires, upholstery, gaskets, brake shoes-springs-hoses, fluids, filters et cetera. The plan is to spend as little as possible. No fancy valve covers or chrome air cleaner or headers... Just make the most out of the stock parts and peices that I already have and spend only enough cash to get it all working right.


I may hit you up for parts in the future.


The wiring in this car looks bad! Looks like a bomb went off under the dash...lol Sigh.... =)

Thanks!
 
Could always ask Chester to help you out......just saying......
 
I will be following this one, What a great idea
 
Looks like a good start. I started with this.

by3402.jpg


When I got it home it had more issues than could be plainly seen. Still think they are one of the nicer body styles for A's.
 
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