1968 DODGE DART GT
Page 1 --> 08/00-02/06 - Daily Driver to Tear Down
Page 2 --> 02/06-07/07 - Body and Paint
Page 3 --> 07/07-??/?? - Rebuilding
Page 4 --> Parts and ideas for rebuild
The Dart went to the body shop in September, and was stripped down to the metal. Any little dents were fixed, and a couple larger ones as well. The car was prepped and primered, and all that other stuff body shops do. Contrary to a true mopar resto, I didnt get the underside, floorpans, or trunk painted. The carpet and trunk mat will cover all that, and I opted for a coating to prevent rust instead. The door handles, locks, and window trim were removed as well, after these pics were taken. It spent 10 months there, which was shorter than I expected. I got it back July 16th, 2007. The pics have the wrong date on the camera.
The car was painted Dupont Jet Black, followed by a gallon and a half of clear. Now the motor needs to be built, as well as the tranny. Then ill pull out the K frame and suspension, use new parts wherever possible, get other parts powder coated, and put it all back in. Floor hump can then be fitted, and welded in, and interior will follow. One problem is the emblems. I never intended on making the car a GTS clone, but rather leave a GT with GTS hood and stripe. I may have to go the GTS route now, as the body man did not fill in 2 emblem holes on the center of the trunk lid where the Dodge logo emblem was. The logo emblem came on all Darts except GT and GTS, and my trunk lid was replaced at some point from one of those with the logo. GT's had the GT emblems off to the right, and no Dodge emblem in the center. I wanted the center holes filled and was going to redrill new holes for the GT emblems. GTS's of course had the emblems in the middle in the same spot as the Dodge logo emblem, so i may just put GTS emblems to cover those holes. Another option could be to put a Dodge logo and put the GT emblems there anyway, but it may look funny. The 2nd reason is the hood. AAR Fiberglass puts impressions on the hood where the GTS logo holes need to be drilled. Those impressions were left as is, and can only be covered with the GTS emblems. My plan was to put the D-O-D-G-E emblems like the GT's have. I am going to see if the D-O-D-G-E emblems will hopefully cover the impressions, but it doesnt look like it will from seeing pictures. My body guy had to move ihs entire shop just before paint, and he overlooked those 2 small details while trying to finish my car. Im not upset, just trying to figure out the best thing to do
