Don't sucker yourself in to buying someone else project

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zhandfull

zhandfull

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That's exactly what I did!

Bought this Dart shell that was painted and new vinyl top slant 6 car, basically just a shell and interior. Prior owner had started the mini tub and leaf spring relocate. He also had cut out the spare tire well and inner fenders. Spent the last couple weeks putting the back half together. Now just needs a little more welding and seam sealer work and that will be done.

I'm already into this thing to many hours and to much money. Bought a 1974 Valiant for the motor suspension, parts, and everything else.

This car represents a turning point in my life. I'm going with the 18"s wheels. It's going to be a cruiser with the stock 318 out of the Valiant. I cannot break the bank with this P.O.S. So the goal is just to get it together and looking right and make this thing a driver. Depending on how things go I may sell it or keep it. We shall see how it looks and drives.

Going to try and stay under $5,000 on this thing not counting labor. So far we have the following invested.
$1,500 72 Dart rolling chassis
$600 Running 74 Valiant 4 door parts car
$600 Rims
$160 used tires

Guess this is the start of a project thread:-k

Here is some teaser pictures of the work that has been started more pictures as we go.
 

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Too late I bought a '70 dart project a few years back off a guy who had big dreams and small pockets. It was minitubbed with a narrowed truck Dana 60 with big Ford ends but no brakes or axles. The guy who did the work for the seller stuffed some 7 1/4 axles in the housing to make it a roller. The minitub and subframe connectors were done nicely and it will be fun to drive when I am done but that won't be soon. I am slapping together a beater to drive in the interim.
 
It looks pretty sweet. Keep the valiant as long as you can. You just never know when you'll need a spare part.
 
The 72' Dart looks pretty clean and a very good starting point. With the 74' Valiant, you should be able to recoup some of your investment costs by parting the extra parts and trim that you're not going to use (or you could hoard all the extras). Definitely keep us updated on your progress. Many of us enjoy these budget builds because we can steal tips and ideas on how to build a great car that isn't a trailer queen.
 
under 3k and it is already painted with a new top and mini tubbed? at this stage you still have a good margin before hitting diminishing profits if you decide to sell it. labor aside. The paint, body work and top are worth more than that alone if it is decent... now quit yo whinin' and get'er done =) Looks good!
 
This build is not really about power at this point. Basically just a stock 318 Dart that should be a nice driving car. I have the 68 Dart with 450 hp that I really enjoy on occasion. But there is just something about hopping in a quiet reliable old car for messing around town. It has to be a car that you can leave the windows down at the dinner or grocery store and not worry that its going to get stolen or scratched. Of course you don't want that to happen but if it did you don't have your life saving on the line. I have had a couple slant 6 cars recently that kind of fit this mold and they are really fun cars that I think a lot of us miss the point of. So this Dart will be along those lines only with the budget pro touring look I guess instead of my typical drag race look that I had used on the slant 6 cars pictured below.


I guess we can call this stage one. Basically swapping over the big bolt pattern suspension and complete drivetrain from the 74 Valiant including the spool K member, disc brakes, and 8.25 rear end. The parts will probably get a cleaning and a rattle can paint job maybe some new bushings in the front end. The engine compartment also needs painting. If there is money left in the $5000 budget maybe some front and rear sway bars and better shocks to go with the sporty wheels.

Stage 2 we could step up the power, braking , or handling but truthfully it probably won't happen with this car and me. I'm just thinking a clean little cruiser. :D
 

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DARTGAME said:
Looks good, what happened to the valiant you just got?
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I was getting prices to redo the interior with the cool looking stock green cloth and vinyl fabrics from SMS in Orgeon. I started getting cold feet and sold it before I got into it to deep financially to ever get out of it. Then I turned around and bought this. I'm really sick or stupid not sure witch.
 
Like the work you did on the blue plate Dart and Valiant. It also looks like you got the rear stance of your current project at the right height, and I usually balk at the pro-touring look.
 
Looks like a very good move money wise to me, real nize indeed .
Subscribed, I like also :happy2:
 
Yup, Looks like a great start. I paid almost your entire budget for the Duster but she's solid which is a rare thing in New England.
 
The valiant was cool but I am really digging the new ride. Any more pictures? What's happening with your 68?

Ian
 
DARTGAME said:
The valiant was cool but I am really digging the new ride. Any more pictures? What's happening with your 68?

Ian
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The 68 Dart is driven once in a while it made Car Craft magazine this month in the Anti Tour coverage. That was about a 600 mile drive weekend for the Dart. Nothing better than driving the backroads with 20+ other cool cars. I still get to the track now and then but really starting to enjoy being able to drive them more on the street. I almost took that green Valiant but had a last minute need to have the power and sound of the 408 in the Dart on the trip. :D
 
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