[WANTED] '66 Dart valance panel

-
Status
Not open for further replies.
There is NO rear valance panel on a 66 dart. Where would you bolt it? Just the bumper covers the space.
 
On my '66 Dart GT there definitely is a space for the rear lower valance panel. I will take a picture and send it to you and you can plainly see where the valance panel goes. Thanks for your reply. Maybe this is something many people don't know of and could be a help to them in the future.
 
I will post some pictures soon. My car is a '66 Dart GT. If it doesn't have a roll pan from the factory, it's the strangest rear end that I've seen. Pics coming soon. It was built at the LA plant and spent most of its life in Seattle, WA. Now it resides in South west FL.
 
You may be right. I just looked at a couple of '66 parts cars on a website. Someone could have put a '65 bumper on it. Which could explain the excessive space below the bumper. I notices the '65's have the body kind of molded around the bumper where on my car the body cuts off flat at the bumper. I will post some pictures ASAP and you can advise me. Someone has put the long shackles on the leaf springs which makes it all the more noticeable. Thanks for the advise and I will take som pictures so that you can see more of what I'm talking about. I'm keeping this car stock as its has a pretty clean body and fairly low miles.(41,000) I'll post the pictures ASAP. Likely tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for their help.
 
Tim is spot on. The 66 Darts didn't have a valance like the 65's did also the 66 bumper ends are a mis-match of the indents on the quarter panels where as the 65 bumper ends were the same shape as the indents.
013 (3).JPG
CAM00240.jpg
 
From the pictures I can definitely see that someone put a '65 on Bumper on my car. I was inspecting it more closely and you're right. There are no bolt holes in which to bolt a roll pan onto. And there's no provision for the reverse lamps. Wires but no lamps. It's amazing how the indents and the bumper match up so closely. I guess I need to change my parts wanted ad to "looking for a bumper for a '66 Dart GT." Many thanks to you all in helping me get this sorted out. Now if only one of you have a '66 bumper that you would sell. lol I stand corrected and I'm glad you all are generous enough to share your expertise with me. I will post some pictures of my Dart on this thread later today so you can see what led to my confusion. Many thanks again. .....and I thought I knew a lot about Mopars, I guess it's good to learn from people that really know their stuff.
 
If I had a clean 65 bumper I would be tempted to ad a 65 valance to it. It's a real clean look. I would probably just forget about the back-up lights although they are very necessary.
 
Thanks for the idea. If I have no luck in finding a '66 bumper, I'll seriously consider going that route. I'm trying my best to keep it factory stock however you have a great option to consider there. Thanks very much and I will definitely keep your Idea in mind. I do like the narrower look of the '65 bumper and I can do without reverse lights. I hadn't even considered your idea as an option, so I'm learning more, which is fantastic to me. Thanks once again and I hope that you have a great day. I could think of several other questions that I have for someone of your expertise. If you don't mind, I may have more questions for you. I don't wish to be an aggravation to anyone though.
 
toolmanmike said:
If I had a clean 65 bumper I would be tempted to ad a 65 valance to it. It's a real clean look. I would probably just forget about the back-up lights although they are very necessary.
Click to expand...

I agree. In fact, I was considering installing a 65 bumper and rear valance on my 66 turd.
 
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
Here's a few pictures of,my '66 GT. You may be able to tell why I was confused about the roll pan before you all taught me a few things that I was oblivious to. Thanks again for the help. It was very much appreciated. See how well the '65 bumper matches up with the bumper indents on the body. Very tricky. I threw in a picture of the car. It's a bit dusty but it's getting there. I kinda hate to pay almost $600 for a repop bumper on eBay, but I may have to save my pennies and skip a few meals to get one. I'd prefer an original, even if the chrome isn't as shiny. I'd like to keep the old girl as stock as possible.
 
LOL, you're right. The GT emblems were a spur of the moment thing. They will be gone soon. I wouldn't want my old girl to think I am trying to rub of a little Ford off on her. My plan is to put it back to pure stock. Like it left the LA plant. I kind of like the Dart GT specific GT emblems, but the ones I've found cost a mint. Also it would then be modified from the original if I added more of them which is not what I'm going after. I'm very much thinking of repainting it back to the original burgundy with a black landau top. What's your opinion of that? It had recently been painted white when I bought it, which looks nice, but isn't what I call "born with". I'm interested in all opinions as someone may tell me something that hadn't occurred to me. Just like the bumper, which I was oblivious to until it was pointed out. Does anyone know how many Dart GT were built in the different year models? Or did Chrysler keep records then? I'm thinking they did but how one would access them, I haven't a clue. I have seen a '66 Valiant convertible with the original 273 replaced with a 340. It was red w/ white convertible vinyl. A pretty car. I really enjoy the input and information you all have given to me. It is not unappreciated in the least. I love talking cars. Mopars to be specific. When I was 17 I bought a '69 Roadrunner one owner car from a Buick dealership for $500. I ran it to death and sold it as cheap as I bought it. How I wish now that I'd have put it away until I could appreciate it, but hindsight is often 100%. It's the fastest car I've ever driven. It had 150 on the speedo and a stop about 10 mph past the mark. I had it buried and then some quite a few times. Not bragging though. I'd be bragging maybe if I had it now.
 
DECIPHER said:
FYI that bumper on eBay is oem just rechrome prob the best thing you can get. I would doubt even a nos leftover 50 yr old number would be as nice. And looking at my 66 dart you will need these also.
DMT MOPAR 63-66 Dart Rear Bumper Filler Protector Set SS Screws
Click to expand...

I thought it said reproduction on the post. My mistake. It would be very nice to have that one. I noticed that some on pieces the manufacturers chrome could vary widely. Especially items built in thee '80 & '90's. Of course by then a lot of chrome was plastic I'd hazard a guess that the bumper on eBay has had a good quality rechrome done on it. I'd love to have it if it's original with the quality rechrome. Maybe I could sell one of my grandkids. ( Just kidding)
 
toolmanmike said:
Tim is spot on. The 66 Darts didn't have a valance like the 65's did also the 66 bumper ends are a mis-match of the indents on the quarter panels where as the 65 bumper ends were the same shape as the indents.View attachment 1714935206 View attachment 1714935207
Click to expand...
I really like your cars. Very straight bodies on them and they look like they've been taken care of. Nice. I'm doing away with the aftermarket/ homemade shackles on my car.(What ever they are ) I just don't like the look of them. I already have replacements for them. Now if life will give me the time and energy to do the job. Maybe you can make me better informed. On my car the old style extension shackles were most likely put on to raise the car. A popular method in its day. Does my car look to you like the torsion bars have been cranked? I'm guessing to level the car out. Does it look like to you that I may need to replace the leaf springs or maybe have them re-arched or add a leaf? I don't like the torsion bars cranked to more than maybe an inch over factory as cranking them too much can lead to steering linkage and poor handling issues, among other problems. If I put the shackles back to factory, I'm wandering if it will make the car nose high when I do this. Would a good option be to crank the torsion bars down to level the car if so? Or would it make the car look like a strange low rider? What is your opinion? It will be very much appreciated. I would like to hear a consensus on this issue. Everyone has been fantastic in giving me advice and I always appreciate constructive criticism. It doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I welcome it. Thanks very much to everyone who has given me their advice.
 
Just as a general response to your questions. Do what ever you wish with your car. I did many repairs to mine trying my best to keep it original but unless you do it like Ulf did his 65 Dart you will be miles away from "restored" or "original". 1965 Dodge Dart Charger
 
In not looking to make a show car. Just an all original driver. The guy in Sweden needed to have his body dipped for the kind of rotisserie restoration that he is doing. I've not the time or money to go to such lengths. My car is around 98-99% original. Numbers matching. I am looking for an occasional driver with some car show/ club events planned. I don't mind a little patina, after all the car is 50 years old. I was looking for some suggestions as to how to go about doing what I think I want to do, and opinions as to if it is worth putting back to original color scheme. Also if it's too ambitious a plan. I guess I know my car and my talents and affordability to follow through with my idea. I was fishing for suggestions. I have good mechanical, and paint/ body skills. I am not skilled enough to recreate body panel on an English wheel or those things, but m the body doesn't look to need any panel replacement. I guess I have a lot to figure out for myself. All opinions were appreciated.
 
Not trying to be too harsh, but start by taking off the Ford emblems. Get rid of the shackles and get yourself a pair of decent leaf springs (they're cheap). Get yourself a 66 Dart rear bumper. That alone will put you ride MILES above where it's at now in my opinion. That's an awesome car and a great start. Good luck man. Keep us posted and don't be afraid to ask questions.
 
David Lee said:
I thought it said reproduction on the post. My mistake. It would be very nice to have that one. I noticed that some on pieces the manufacturers chrome could vary widely. Especially items built in thee '80 & '90's. Of course by then a lot of chrome was plastic I'd hazard a guess that the bumper on eBay has had a good quality rechrome done on it. I'd love to have it if it's original with the quality rechrome. Maybe I could sell one of my grandkids. ( Just kidding)
Click to expand...

I think I know the guy with the e-bay bumper (he bought some 67-69 Barracuda cores from me before he went to Georgia). The chrome should be good.
 
mopowers said:
Not trying to be too harsh, but start by taking off the Ford emblems. Get rid of the shackles and get yourself a pair of decent leaf springs (they're cheap). Get yourself a 66 Dart rear bumper. That alone will put you ride MILES above where it's at now in my opinion. That's an awesome car and a great start. Good luck man. Keep us posted and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the positive reply. The suggestions are spot on to where I would like to go with the old girl. Someone else started the restoration on it and made a few mistakes. For the most part, excluding the dumb Ford GT emblems it's going OK. I was wandering if the leafs were worn out. I'm thinking the shackles were put on in the era where some people liked them. I never did. Do you have any suggestions as to where I would order a new set of springs. I know of several companies that can make whatever one wants but I think they are a bit pricey. That said a new set of leaves would definitely be a good start. I'm already looking for the correct bumper. After these improvements I'd like to put the engine bay back to stock. The previous owner put aluminum valve covers and an Eldebrock carb on it. I want it back to pure stock with the exception of the Mopar electronic ignition. I think that is an acceptable upgrade. It retains the factory distributor cap and the electronic ignition box is the only giveaway that it's been upgraded. I had better close for now or I'll ramble on forever. I appreciate any constructive criticism and comments. Thanks very much.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
-

Back
Top