74 Hang 10 Project

[sulery1]

Hello All,
Great site. I have recieved a lot of help in deciding which leaf springs to go for on my dart.
Now I thuoght I would tell a little about my car & show my progress to this point. I bought this 74 Dart Sport with the Hang 10 package back in 1996 in of all places West Yellowstone, Montana. It was sitting in a huge snow bank.
I went and asked the guy if he wanted to sell it. He said give me $50.00 & it's yours. I dug it out & eventually got it running. Everything was original on the car. I decided to rebuild the engine(318) & the tranny(904). Over the next few years I drove it very little. I did get a nice set of rims & tires & received several compliments on it's look. Thats when I thought I would look for more info on the Hang 10 package. I found a lot of info but of coarse not how many were built due to it being an option that was not tracked. The more I found out the more I wanted to try to restore it to mostly the original look.
This first picture was from about 2001 before I started any major work. Notice the lower rear quarter. It rusted through from sitting in the snow bank.

 

[Woodys_Cuda]

Somebody needs to call the cops, you stole it! 50 bucks? Great project car.

 

[69signetv8]

Excellent grab..Sure you didn't forget an extra $"0" in there? LOL. She looks really great and wouldn't take much to be a "10".

 

[sulery1]

A few more pics of some of my progress in the last 5 or so years. It's been a slow process:clock: I have purchased a full N.O.S. Hang 10 interior from legendary. I had the rear quarters & trunk floor replaced. It has the factory sun roof which operates good. I have been working on the rear under side removing old under coating & rust. It is not near as bad as I thought it could be. It has an 8 3/4 rear. I am getting new leaf springs soon.
When the car was in the snow bank it was pretty rough. I did purchase the rims & tires after I bought it. It has taken a lot of time & MONEY to get it this far as I'm sure you all know. It's not about the money but the satisfaction of knowing if you start something & stick with it some day you will have something to be proud of. :-D. More to follow.

 

[340dartswinger]

looking good! keep us updated

 

[sulery1]

I did want to post one more pic. This is what the rally wheels looked like when I bought it. I guess it matches the orange interior. If any one knows where to find any orange shag carpet please let me know. I think that is going to be the hardest thing to find.
I do have some pics of me in the snow after I bought it. I will transfer them to a disc & show the before photo.

 

[sulery1]

To those that have responded, You have some very nice looking cars & thanks for the encouragement. Take care.

 

[memike]

Great find Sulery1!

And I thought I got a good deal on my truck.witch I did. BUT!!!
Your is way good and congratulations.:toothy10:

 

[sulery1]

I've been removing the old under coating & sanding down to the metal. I ordered a set of six leaf with a 1" lift & am waiting for them to arrive. I got them from Eaton Springs & will let you know how they fit.
There has not been a lot of rust to this point. I have removed any & used Eastwood's rust converter then rust inhibitor & top coated with chasis black.
I am thinking of using Gator Guard truck bed liner on top of that. Since I am limited on what resources I have I figure it is better than not doing anything at this point. Any sugestions would be appreciated.
More pictures to follow when I get the springs. Steve.

 

[7demon2]

I did want to post one more pic. This is what the rally wheels looked like when I bought it. I guess it matches the orange interior. If any one knows where to find any orange shag carpet please let me know. I think that is going to be the hardest thing to find.
View attachment 14339

try here :
http://www.legendaryautointeriors.com/webmodules/Static/ProductCategories.aspx
they list the carpet color orange and they have the hang 10 interior pieces as well. good stuff too!

 

[RPM]

Lots of nice work going on there......

doing great !


-RPM

 

[redfastback]

always liked the hang 10 package cars. keep the resto pics comin'. looks good so far.

 

[GTXperience]

Great looking Hang 10! I can appreciate the your detail from the pics I have seen. One of these days ... I am going have to get me one.

 

[gerty]

I think you have a very desireable a body, I've never seen one in person. Keep plugging away, and she will get there. Don't you just love the undercarriage work? I do now that it's 99% done on my Duster!
Bob

 

[sulery1]

Thanks I will look into it & let you know. I doubt they have shag but maybe a nice orange will have to do for know.

 

[sulery1]

Thanks All.
I hope to take some time and veiw some of your cars soon.

 

[sulery1]

One more pic of the underneath. Still waiting on the leaf springs. after installing them I am going to raise the rear of the car higher to make cleaning easier. Still thinking about what type of undercoating to use. Since I have such a small work space, for now I am unable to completely disassemble the car. I do small parts at a time which works. I know many people tear their car completely down & never put it back together. I try to keep mine operational until we can move to a bigger place.

 

[340mopar]

I see something that is puzzling and cool at the same time... Large bolt pattern rallyes and an 8 3/4 rearend in a '74? Did you put the rearend in the car or was it in there?


Chuck

 

[Greg82]

I see something that is puzzling and cool at the same time... Large bolt pattern rallyes and an 8 3/4 rearend in a '74? Did you put the rearend in the car or was it in there?


Chuck

Could be a Ford 9 inch?

 

[sulery1]

I see something that is puzzling and cool at the same time... Large bolt pattern rallyes and an 8 3/4 rearend in a '74? Did you put the rearend in the car or was it in there?


Chuck

The rear end was in it when I bought the car. I am not very smart when it comes to the rear end. I know it has a 489 case. I'm not sure why someone would replace the original with this one as the rest of the car appeared all original when I bought it. How would I know if it was a ford rear? All the time I have driven it, it has performed well.

 

[swinger70]

Do you need any parts for this car? I dismantled a 74 Dart with the same body and still have all the good parts.

 

[sulery1]

I did get the spring. I went with "Just Suspensions". I got the six leaf with 1" over stock. It sits just a little higher in the back. That was the look I was going for.




I have to keep the car driveable as I am still looking for a place with a larger garage & I don't want to move it in pieces.

I have made a little more progress on the undercarriage. I have been using Eastwoods restoration kit (rust converter,encapsulator,top coat).
Is anyone familar with this? After seeing other restoration projects I am wondering if I should have went with a different product. I still think I would like to apply some sort of truck bed liner for more durability. Any advice would help.
When I do get a bigger work space I plan on pulling the motor & tranny & finishing the undercarriage.

 

[SleeperScamp]

Man looking good !!!! I am still in shock $50.00 and it has a 8 3/4 You are a thief.......Great story!!!!!

 

[memike]

Looks like you are moving right along.:headbang:
Some one here can advise you on the under the car protection.:scratch:

 

[sulery1]

Well it's been over a year since I've posted any pics. I had to move into a smaller place so I didn't accomplish as much as I had hoped to but I don't give up easily. I took the doors, hood & trunk lid to the body shop for repairs & primer.


I figure it is better to get a little at a time done than nothing at all. I'm sure many of you would tear the whole car down & have all the body work & paint done at the same time but due to lack of funds & never being able to save enough money this is what has to work for me.


As you can see he did a pretty good job so far. I hope to finish the undercarriage in my spare time. I have tried to keep the car operational until I can get into a bigger place. My hope is to tear it down next spring & get the final body work done & paint. I am going to try to keep it as original as possible for now.