Just got a 65 Dodge Dart, my first mopar!

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Shaun65dart said:
I’m all out of money or I would try to get that other dart. He said it’s a gt

As for mine the trunk has a nice crease in it and the sheet metal around the headlight on the fender is wrinkled up. That’s about it for damaged. The trunk can probably be fixed, the fender I’m pretty sure it should be replaced
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The front fender, I've found is tricky to locate, especially not rotted out. 65 being a one off year, the fenders and hood are difficult to locate without spending what it would cost to buy another car. People I've talked to, must be trying to retire on the parts for these cars.
 
Any recommendations from you guys on what to look out for or first modifications and things to check?
 
If you decide to swap in a V8, the center link in the steering linkage needs to be replaced with a V8 version.
I have a 65 Dart that was bastardized with some non stock stuff. I am reversing the mistakes and making it nice cruiser with stock parts from different years. 66 trunklid, 66 steering column and shift linkage, 67-later 904 trans and a 318 2 barrel.
Good luck and great score!
 
Shaun65dart said:
Any recommendations from you guys on what to look out for or first modifications and things to check?
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Brakes and suspension should be rebuilt before making any changes to improve performance. You are driving an antique car in the middle of a bunch of people who aren't paying attention. Just my two cents. Have fun with it and good luck finding that fender!
 
Shaun65dart said:
hey everyone my name is Shaun. I’m 33 years old. Car fanatic. Last year I bought a brand new 2016 Durango r/t and love it. 3 days ago I bought a 65 Dodge Dart 270 for 900 bucks and drove it home. Automatic with the 225. No rust. It does have a few dings on the front fenders and the trunk. Will the fenders from a 63 or 64 as well as the trunk from either year bolt on with no issues? I will post some pictures soon. Excited to be a part of the mopar family

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Check with Desert Valley Auto Parts in Az. They have many mid 60's Darts. My quarter panel patches came off a white 65 Dart. THey may have a fender and bumper for you.
 
Welcome, old Mopars choose their owners, not the other way around, thats why it came to you. Get to know it awhile, make sure it stops and steers good, you can enjoy driving it just fine with the little bit of battle scars it has. Don't be in too much of a rush and please don't goof it up adding "custom" touches (not saying you would but please don't lol.) Looks so good in white and keeps the interior cool in the hot sun.
 
Welcome, and nice find.
I wish mine looked that good when I started.......
 
Nice car and nice score. I don't think the sheet metal looks that bad, even the front fender. I would just keep it on there and fix it as best as you can until you can afford to have it fixed better. As for the rear license plate, that could really use some work. :) I can't help but notice that it has a 2 inch receiver hitch on the back. That's a little odd.
 
Fall Fling is coming up. AZMOPAR will be there at the swap. He's a member here. He may have a fender and maybe a decklid.
 
Yea it had a hitch that I cut off the other day. The driver fender is pretty good shape and can be easily repaired. The passenger side by the headlight bucket is in bad shape. Once I removed the hitch I was able to fix the license plate a little better

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Fender damage is worse than I thought. Still, it has a good and non-rusty rear bottom portion (dogleg). It could be fixed, but replacing is easier.
I am looking for a hitch for my 66 Dart.
 
What a deal for a rust-free SoCal car. The alum radiator is worth $150. I would keep the slant (my 64), but a V-8 swap is easiest in an early-A. Some say most 66 slants have the V-8 steering links (1/2"more drop), so grab if you find. Also would need a 65 cable-shift SB tranny. Work on brakes first and a dual MC is safer (many posts).
 
Future plans will be a v8 swap I’m thinking a 360. Disc brakes, lowered, possibly floor shift with scat procar buckets and a console. Leave the paint and body mostly alone. Put in an original radio since the dash is uncut. And just drive and enjoy it with my my and two young kids
 
Come on up to Fall Fling in LA for the 2nd largest all mopar swap with a well thought out list, and try to score some deals.

You're only about 35 miles away. Bring your car into the show since you are new to it, so you can look at the car to confirm parts needed in the swap meet. Put a flyer on the car with pull off contact tabs asking for 65 Dart body and V8 conversion parts.


Fling 22
Saturday October 28, 2017
Woodley Park Van Nuys CA

Flyer: http://www.cpwclub.com/documents/FF17Flyer.pdf

Register here: Chrysler Performance West - Mopar Spring Fling & Fall Fling
 
Damn I will be in San Diego that weekend taking the kids to the zoo. Don’t think I can get out of that!
 
autoxcuda said:
Come on up to Fall Fling in LA for the 2nd largest all mopar swap with a well thought out list, and try to score some deals.
Fling 22
Saturday October 28, 2017
Woodley Park Van Nuys CA

Flyer: http://www.cpwclub.com/documents/FF17Flyer.pdf

Register here: Chrysler Performance West - Mopar Spring Fling & Fall Fling
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I'll be in town that weekend visiting Family and I just picked up a 64 Dart Slant that I'm putting a 340 in. So I'll be looking for parts!
Headlite rings v-8 gas pedal linkage,Ect.
 
Is this how the rear shackle design is supposed to look? Or did someone make these Long pieces and put them in?

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No, those are not stock. Those are for putting the hose on, out in the garden.
I would suggest getting the correct, oem factory parts.

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so the shackle i posted a picture of would have raised the rear end compared to an OEM shackle right?
 
Yes correct, the back of your car is a tad high compared to the front but the back must of been sitting low for them to put those long spring hangers on. If you go to the correct spring hangers the car will sit lower.

Great car and a great price for a driver.
 
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