My Western Sport Special

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Finally got the car back from "Don's Upholstery" in Alsip, Il. Actually I wanted to try doing the vinyl roof and headliner myself but chickened out at the last minute. When I brought in the material I know I heard a few "snickers" in the back. They said they had never done one like that and they been around awhile. Can't say enough good things about their work though.

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We plan on doing the seats ourselves as I need something to challenge me. Got the tools and hog rings ready to go. I plan on having the "Mod Top" material inserted in the covers. My buddy has done a Nomad which was really involved so
at least we have some experience on the job.
While on the subject I would like some honest critiquing on this project pro or cons. I know I know I know there never was a 69 Dodge Dart Western Sport Special Mod Top but there is going to be one now. To all you "purists" out there "now I also have a1 of 1. I know one thing it's already a looker.
 
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I think it looks awesome. I'm really not much for the Sunfire, but it does have a certain aspect of cool to it. 1 of 1 or not, that looks great.
 
Thanks for the kind words guys. Now on to painting the hood. We plan to use John Deere Blitz Black which I think is pretty close to the dull black that Mopar used. Luckily I'll be able to use my son-in-laws new paint booth. Somebodies got to break it in.

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What's funny is that about a week ago I took this pic. I was looking at it and could see a mod top resemblance. I thought it would look kinda cool. Well, now you have shown me it does.

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LOVE LOVE LOVE It Specially the MOD-TOP awesome inside and out!!!
 
gdrill said:
What's funny is that about a week ago I took this pic. I was looking at it and could see a mod top resemblance. I thought it would look kinda cool. Well, now you have shown me it does.
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If you need some “Mod Top” material let me know. LOL just kidding. Man you sure have a nice shop there. Just wish I could weld like you.
 
meathead66 said:
Finally got the car back from "Don's Upholstery" in Alsip, Il. Actually I wanted to try doing the vinyl roof and headliner myself but chickened out at the last minute. When I brought in the material I know I heard a few "snickers" in the back. They said they had never done one like that and they been around awhile. Can't say enough good things about their work though.

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We plan on doing the seats ourselves as I need something to challenge me. Got the tools and hog rings ready to go. I plan on having the "Mod Top" material inserted in the covers. My buddy has done a Nomad which was really involved so
at least we have some experience on the job.
While on the subject I would like some honest critiquing on this project pro or cons. I know I know I know there never was a 69 Dodge Dart Western Sport Special Mod Top but there is going to be one now. To all you "purists" out there "now I also have a1 of 1. I know one thing it's already a looker.
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That is top of the line, no question.
Awesome car and build.

D.
 
Nice build, I also have a WSS but it is a 70 Challenger.
 
Waiting on carpet and seat covers so I can get the Mod Top material sewn in them. But because of the costs of all this had to go back to my part time job 2 days a week. Trying to hook up the Lokar linkages; with those big TTI’s just can’t get my fingers at the trans laying on my back. Should have bought that lift when I had the chance or else connected the kickdown when it was all out of the car.
Still got to go to the exhaust shop cause I’d like to have it come out under the bumpers, glass guy as windshield was cracked, chassis shop for alignment and pinion angle. I’m sure there’s more. So got a bit left to do.

sireland67 said:
Nice build, I also have a WSS but it is a 70 Challenger.
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l’d like to see some pics of that Challenger especially where the decal goes. If I remember the Darts ModTops never had the floral roof, correct? Or was it the seats? Have you got a link maybe?

Oh well; don’t really matter cause it’s getting done my way as it being a “replicatored”.
 
meathead66 said:
Waiting on carpet and seat covers so I can get the Mod Top material sewn in them. But because of the costs of all this had to go back to my part time job 2 days a week. Trying to hook up the Lokar linkages; with those big TTI’s just can’t get my fingers at the trans laying on my back. Should have bought that lift when I had the chance or else connected the kickdown when it was all out of the car.
Still got to go to the exhaust shop cause I’d like to have it come out under the bumpers, glass guy as windshield was cracked, chassis shop for alignment and pinion angle. I’m sure there’s more. So got a bit left to do.

l’d like to see some pics of that Challenger especially where the decal goes. If I remember the Darts ModTops never had the floral roof, correct? Or was it the seats? Have you got a link maybe?

Oh well; don’t really matter cause it’s getting done my way as it being a “replicatored”.
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My car is in primer so no decal.
If you google Western sport special a good bit of info comes up on them.
Its actually a pretty rare option.
 
Awesome build, thanks for posting all of the pics etc.!
Love the Mod Top look too!
 
meathead66 said:
Watched a lot of videos as to how to put an engine in a car and pretty much made up my mind to put in from underneath by raising the car up and on. Easy if I have to say so myself. Just picked the front end up with my cherry picker, rolled the engine under on my homemade gurney and bolted it up. Prolly should have put the shocks, brakes and whole steering linkage on as a whole unit but didn't want to push it cause I by myself at this stage. Rather proud of myself after that cause as tight as it was not a scratch on those headers which I had ordered bare and brought 'em over to QC in Michigan (Home | QCCOATINGS.com) to have them ceramically coated and they are really nice. My little red wagon sure came in handy for the rear end.

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I dig the use of the little tykes wagon to put the rear under the car.
 
Finally got the hood back from the son in law's shop; as they got a new paint booth with some type of oven and of course had to test it out. Sure is not my forte so whatever he wanted to do I went along with. Needless to sat it came out really really nice. Looks like a satin sheet laid down on it.
Was kinda nervous on whether or not the high intake, carburetor and the MP air cleaner would clear; but no problem still have about 2 inches.
Got the carpet in but with the console mounting tabs constantly in my way and continually having to test fit the console I sure screwed the install up. I think I tried to go too high up the floor under the dash or else it wasn't the correct one. Probably operator/installer error. It's in and hopefully the seats cover up the mistakes.
Started mounting the windshield and back glass stainless trim tabs/clips which looks to be a challenge cause the new windshield clips I got don't look like the old original ones. The new ones have 2 different kind in the bag. 19 of 1 kind and 4 of another kind, got them from R/T Specialties so they must be correct. I'm just going to use the old ones fill in with couple of the new ones. Back window clips are the same as the old ones. Won't be able to have the glass installed for a while anyways; getting cold around here I'm going south and continue when the snow's gone.

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It'S totaly groovy man!!! Love the sufs up top an interiour keep up the groovy work
 
meathead66 said:
Finally got the hood back from the son in law's shop; as they got a new paint booth with some type of oven and of course had to test it out. Sure is not my forte so whatever he wanted to do I went along with. Needless to sat it came out really really nice. Looks like a satin sheet laid down on it.
Was kinda nervous on whether or not the high intake, carburetor and the MP air cleaner would clear; but no problem still have about 2 inches.
Got the carpet in but with the console mounting tabs constantly in my way and continually having to test fit the console I sure screwed the install up. I think I tried to go too high up the floor under the dash or else it wasn't the correct one. Probably operator/installer error. It's in and hopefully the seats cover up the mistakes.
Started mounting the windshield and back glass stainless trim tabs/clips which looks to be a challenge cause the new windshield clips I got don't look like the old original ones. The new ones have 2 different kind in the bag. 19 of 1 kind and 4 of another kind, got them from R/T Specialties so they must be correct. I'm just going to use the old ones fill in with couple of the new ones. Back window clips are the same as the old ones. Won't be able to have the glass installed for a while anyways; getting cold around here I'm going south and continue when the snow's gone.

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Looks like a million dollar dream!
 
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