Early A-Bodies

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DiggerDart said:
Stupid ? time. Is the Signet considered a Dart or is it it's own model? Either way sweet ride.
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The Signet was the top-end package. Canadian built cars up to 66 (fact check please) were "Valiants" not Plymouths and would have the Signet badging instead of GT in the case of Dodges. My 64 would not have had Plymouth anywhere on it but would have Valiant hood badge and Signet trunk badging. Steering wheel logo was the same though.

@hotrod swinger was I close?
 
I came across this 66 Barracuda parts car listed on FB Marketplace in NW Arkansas not sure where to share the link so I will drop it here. Let me know where the correct place to post for future reference if you would. Just thought somebody here might be interested. Owner is asking $400.
 
Claydart said:
I really just started to notice that when I go to car shows, early A-bodies don't really get any respect! The people walking around stop and say, "nice paint" or "I like the wheels", but it isn't until I open the hood that I might get a "whoa" or similar comment. With the general lack of early A bodies at these car shows, it amazes me that there is no real respect for these cars in general. Sure there are a ton of later Darts and Dusters, and plenty of 67-69 Barracudas at the shows, but I have only seen 2 other early (63-66) A-bodies at any shows. And nobody noticed one of them until the owner opened his hood and displayed the Hemi inside! I'm thinking that these cars were so common back in the 60s and 70s with all the older people at the time driving around in these fairly cheap vehicles, that everyone that sees them now, just say "oh yeah, I had one of those back in my high school or college time. Does anybody else find the same thing I do, or am I just a little paranoid?
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It is simple without 63 to 66 there would be no 2nd gen. I love my early Darts & Valiants
 
Gotta love those lines!

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The reason why is because they were not featured in any TV shows, movies, restoration shows, YouTube, etc. The panels are not interchangeable like the later A bodies. The crappy single master cylinder with drums all around. Small bolt pattern. Stupid right handed lug nuts. Clearance issues with tires larger than 14". Push button transmission controls. No AC, power steering, power disc brakes. Those reasons alone turn off people. Plus they weren't sexy like the 67 and up cars.
 
Mr. Plymouth said:
The reason why is because they were not featured in any TV shows, movies, restoration shows, YouTube, etc. The panels are not interchangeable like the later A bodies. The crappy single master cylinder with drums all around. Small bolt pattern. Stupid right handed lug nuts. Clearance issues with tires larger than 14". Push button transmission controls. No AC, power steering, power disc brakes. Those reasons alone turn off people. Plus they weren't sexy like the 67 and up cars.
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Highway Patrol had early Dodge products, Sky King had a few Plymouth products, and in I Love Lucy, Craig takes his driver's test in a '65 Dart GT.

Not sure where you're getting your information, but most of it is wrong.

Most of the remaining A-Bodies have been converted to dual masters and a lot have been converted to discs, but 4-wheel drums were available into the 70's. Same with the SBP/BBP swap. Wheels can get just as big as most other A-Bodies, though I can't imagine going bigger than 16" and expecting it to look good (I assume you mean wheels larger than 14"). Pushbutton went away in '64 and that makes me sad - totally cool feature that my '65 doesn't have. My '65 does have dealer installed A/C. Don't want power steering and if I do some day want power discs, I can add it - just like someone with a later A that didn't have those features would have to do.
 
WV64Signet said:
The Signet was the top-end package. Canadian built cars up to 66 (fact check please) were "Valiants" not Plymouths and would have the Signet badging instead of GT in the case of Dodges. My 64 would not have had Plymouth anywhere on it but would have Valiant hood badge and Signet trunk badging. Steering wheel logo was the same though.

@hotrod swinger was I close?
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As far as I know that is correct, but I’m definitely not an expert
 
The Signet (signature) was the top of the line model for the Valiant in the US. I don't know how they used it in other countries.
 
When I was cruising through Hell on the cruise, traffic was stopped right in downtown Hell, and a nice looking young lady ran up to my car, rested her boobs on the door and said…”nice car, wanna take me for a ride”? Soooo, there’s that! I call that respect!
 
cosgig said:
When I was cruising through Hell on the cruise, traffic was stopped right in downtown Hell, and a nice looking young lady ran up to my car, rested her boobs on the door and said…”nice car, wanna take me for a ride”? Soooo, there’s that! I call that respect!
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SOOOOO, Where did you "ride" to?????:lol:
 
Claydart said:
I really just started to notice that when I go to car shows, early A-bodies don't really get any respect! The people walking around stop and say, "nice paint" or "I like the wheels", but it isn't until I open the hood that I might get a "whoa" or similar comment. With the general lack of early A bodies at these car shows, it amazes me that there is no real respect for these cars in general. Sure there are a ton of later Darts and Dusters, and plenty of 67-69 Barracudas at the shows, but I have only seen 2 other early (63-66) A-bodies at any shows. And nobody noticed one of them until the owner opened his hood and displayed the Hemi inside! I'm thinking that these cars were so common back in the 60s and 70s with all the older people at the time driving around in these fairly cheap vehicles, that everyone that sees them now, just say "oh yeah, I had one of those back in my high school or college time. Does anybody else find the same thing I do, or am I just a little paranoid?
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We only venture to local shows, so far. Making people aware of the existence of my 1965 Dart GT Charger (no, it's not totally original; yes it is verified by VIN as one) & both learning from folks & adding to what they know is one of the best parts of going. Especially when it's multigenerational. Our grandson is thrilled to know about & have worked on our early A body.

IMG_0196 (2).JPG
 
65babybee said:
We only venture to local shows, so far. Making people aware of the existence of my 1965 Dart GT Charger (no, it's not totally original; yes it is verified by VIN as one) & both learning from folks & adding to what they know is one of the best parts of going. Especially when it's multigenerational. Our grandson is thrilled to know about & have worked on our early A body.

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Nice! Welcome to FABO. Have you chatted with @65dartcharger yet? He needs to know about your car if he doesn't already.
 
I had a similar response at a show on Labor Day. Only a couple people stopped to look but when a older couple had their picture taken standing by my car, it made my day! For whatever reason early Barracudas don't seem to be as popular, with car fans, as later models. I like cars. Any car is great but I walk by almost all Mustangs.
 
toolmanmike said:
Nice! Welcome to FABO. Have you chatted with @65dartcharger yet? He needs to know about your car if he doesn't already.
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I know about it! It was late Bob Smock in Las Vegas who built it and owned it before it eas sold. One of the earliest factory Dart Charger 273 convertibles known. Mice car! Thanks TMM for keeping me in mimd.
 
circlepilot said:
Same here. Before I tore my 65 Barracuda down for restoration, I drove it around town a few months, after I bought it. Everywhere I stopped it was, "what is that? I've never seen one of these before. How old is it? Where did you get it? What a cool looking car!" The shape of mine was similar to the one you have. I can't wait to get mine finished and I hope I do before they ban "gas burners.":mad:
Norm

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Hey CirclePilot, I saw that you replaced a trunk pan. Do you know a good place to get trunk and floor pans? And maybe some quarter panel patches?

thank you
 
MoGumbo said:
Hey CirclePilot, I saw that you replaced a trunk pan. Do you know a good place to get trunk and floor pans? And maybe some quarter panel patches?
thank you
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Auto Body Specialties is in you back yard (Middlefield CT). They make good pans and panels, and you could pick them up and avoid shipping costs. Here is a link to their early A stuff:
DODGE CARS - DART - 1963-1966 - Auto Body Specialties

][/QUOTE]
 
Claydart said:
I really just started to notice that when I go to car shows, early A-bodies don't really get any respect! The people walking around stop and say, "nice paint" or "I like the wheels", but it isn't until I open the hood that I might get a "whoa" or similar comment. With the general lack of early A bodies at these car shows, it amazes me that there is no real respect for these cars in general. Sure there are a ton of later Darts and Dusters, and plenty of 67-69 Barracudas at the shows, but I have only seen 2 other early (63-66) A-bodies at any shows. And nobody noticed one of them until the owner opened his hood and displayed the Hemi inside! I'm thinking that these cars were so common back in the 60s and 70s with all the older people at the time driving around in these fairly cheap vehicles, that everyone that sees them now, just say "oh yeah, I had one of those back in my high school or college time. Does anybody else find the same thing I do, or am I just a little paranoid?
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People are excited by muscle motors and the early A-bodies only had the 273 4bbl and special 225 6cly also a 4 bbl for its large power plants. I always thought they were better looking then the 67 - 69's, especially in the convertibles. It's your car and you like it, ENJOY!!!!!
 
66fyssh said:
Today me and the wife and grandson go for a drive. On the way home we stop by a meat market. For a little town like Rome, they sell great meat.

So we park and before we even get out of the car a truck pulls in and the guys yells hey, is that a 65? Said he was driving the opposite direction and turned around when he saw us driving!! We shoot the **** for 10 minutes. Then on the way out another guy walking in says "you don't see many of these around " and adds, nice car and heads inside the store.

But yeah, car shows, not so much!
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So you are from Rome, Ga. You must know old "MAX", he was a Big Mopar man back in the 60's thru 90's. I have lots of family there. Lots of good junk yards there.
 
Mr. Plymouth said:
The reason why is because they were not featured in any TV shows, movies, restoration shows, YouTube, etc. The panels are not interchangeable like the later A bodies. The crappy single master cylinder with drums all around. Small bolt pattern. Stupid right handed lug nuts. Clearance issues with tires larger than 14". Push button transmission controls. No AC, power steering, power disc brakes. Those reasons alone turn off people. Plus they weren't sexy like the 67 and up cars.
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You mean "Left handed lug nuts"?
 
MoGumbo said:
Hey CirclePilot, I saw that you replaced a trunk pan. Do you know a good place to get trunk and floor pans? And maybe some quarter panel patches?

thank you
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Laysons has some good panels for early A's as well.
 
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