1967 73 Dart GT

What the? The cowl, roof, floors, trunk filler and trunk floor were wasted on a '67 GT I found and bought for a G, came with a beautiful black bucket seat interior with floor console/shifter, good glass and an assortment of parts. Found a cheap '73 Vinyl Top car with slightly rusted trunk drops and rear outer quarter panels. Broke out the spotweld drill/bit and went to town. After drilling out 418 spotwelds and miggin them all onto the other car, whala, presto-chango! A '67 GT Vinyl Top A/C Car!
Of course the '67 GT Doors and Front Clip bolted right on and I'm ready for a little body work here and there and final paint; Single Stage Urethane.
Already traded out some refinish work for a 040 Over Steel Crank 383, a new 727 with kit and cam matched converter, and a '70 SBP 3.55 Sure Grip. A few choice pieces from Schoemaker and now a set of Tri Y Headers on the way from them. Got my Semi Loaded Kelsey Hays 4 Piston Calipers down at *NAPA along with all new suspension components.
Running now, but a few Go Fast Goodies on the way from Summit and Jegs should put it around 370 Horse and on the road before January is out.
So it looks to be a Triple Black '67 GT 383/727, 3.55:1 Sure Grip, Manual Disc Brakes, Manual Steering, **A/C, Console Shift. Hot Rod Black Fiberglass Hood and Steel Wheels with Poverty Caps.
I am very anxious to roast up the rear grippers. Its fortunate that I have a friend that owns a tire store.:burnout:
Hope to post a video soon.

* NAPA Charged me $30 a piece for no cores on the KH Calipers! Are you kiddin? whoooha! Gimme! Gimme!
** I live in Florida, A/C is a Must Have

Looks good!

nicely done!

Nicework. What color?

I shot some cheap black single stage on it when I closed my shop(Crushed 2 Disc's in my lower back) because I wasn't sure when I'd be able to work on it again, but more than likely it will be '93 through '95 Viper Red. Already have about 99% of the parts to finish it including a black vinyl top. Trying to buy some Rally's for it right now. The Pie Plates just aren't cuttin' it for me.
Thanks

Wow you have alot of drive to tackle that. I will say you are really kicking butt on it. Cant wait to see it finished. I will be watching progress.

After back surgery I'm back at it. Found a set of "915" Heads- fresh, complete rebuild, and a set of early Crane Adjustable Rocker Shafts in perfect condition, so I pulled the engine (after a couple burn outs) and sent it to the engine builder. He's also installing a Competition Cams Camshaft, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 274/286, Lift .488/.491. Horse Power will be over 400. The TF 727 gets a new BTE 11" Street/Strip Torque Converter. Should work well with the 3.55:1 Sure Grip. 235/70/14's on GTS 14" wheels, is the biggest tire I've been able to put on it without rubbing. Tubbing it may be a future option- I just want to drive it. Tires going up in smoke puts a smile on my face anyway. She'll never be on the track but I will beat on the old girl often enough.
Rear quarters are in final prime and ready to block out. Fenders, doors, and hood, are straight and squared. Final color is by Sherwin Williams, Planet Color, Barrett Jackson Line- Red Hot Red. Just shot the engine compartment last week. RED... wow!
Black Vinyl Top is here in the box. Every single piece of '67 Dart GT trim goes back on. Acquisition of correct trunk trim was a little pricey. Had to buy two sets just to make one good one. Local trim restorer- also a FABO member- has everything looking like jewelry. I coudln't be happier about that ... and yes the dog dish hub caps are staying on it- I was born in the fifties and cannot forget the Factory Mopars of the sixties and early seventies coming out of Detroit... and Grand Spaulding Dodge...
The hood and wheels are "eggshell gloss" black... like they should be.
Getting closer....
tpg

Scored a STR15 Cross Ram, with two Carter 600 cfm's, and linkage for my '67 383HP Engine this weekend. At $2150.00 a little pricey but I think it's well worth the wow factor. I'll send the carb's off to the engine man's carb guy to have them properly set up. The engine builder is boring the engine .040 over right now, he wasn't happy with the cylinder walls. (He did not do the original re-build) Also turning the crank .010 under on mains and rods, after finding a little uneven wear. Re-sizing the connecting rods. Comp Cams Xtreme Energy™ XE274H; 1800 - 6000 RPM Range with lifters, and springs for my highly worked '67 Only "915" Cylinder Heads. I'm looking for over a conservative 400HP at the crank.
I'm going to try to finish the over all paint work over the Christmas- New Years Holidays.
I believe I might have enough money left over to purchase the Hotchkis TVS System and a set of they're 1.03 Torsion Bars.
I can't work on this little jewel everyday, but it is getting closer.

Looks fantastic, looking forward to more pics and progress

I ordered a Hotchkiss TVS System for my '67 Gt This afternoon. The GT restoration has a mind of it's own. One of my buds is building a Dana 60 Disc brake rear with 3.54:1 gears using a the Trac-Loc differential, after I shot a n F-Glass Jeep CJ5 for him. Of all the f'd up things we're now adding a GM200R4 Transmission with a 2200 stall TCI Converter.
I advertised my 3.55:1 Sure Grip 8&3/4 drum to drum but the Gestapo x'd out my add.
Too much time on their hands I guess. Pictures will be coming soon.

My Hotchkis Suspension has arrived, all of it this time. Dana 60 is done with a 3.54:1 Trac-Loc. 57" WMS to WMS. Using later model disc brakes on the rear(BBP) with the parking brakes set up so that it will work with original parking brake handle. Four wheel disc brakes using 11" rotors all the way around. I'll use an adjustable proportioning valve to set things straight. Hate to do it but we are going with a Gm 200R4 Transmission. Strong transmission if built right and gives that extra drop in RPM's when wheeling down the highway. Found a local man that builds Torque Convertors like the way you order. I'd like to drive my car across the state if I feel like it. Opting for single piece door glass so I can use power windows. Of course my car has aftermarket A/C - I live in Florida. Fitting the a/c compressor with my Cross Ram Setup is going take a little engineering. That and the GM Alternator and aftermarket harness and Ididit Tilt Steering Wheel Column. Hey- If it was easy- everybody would have one.
Still fretting over the wheels. Go with custom built or what-I don't know. Flipping and flopping. Can't get to that decision just yet.
Final color will be sprayed on in a week or so. Bike week has been happening and everybody wanted they're **** done. I swear I'm going to quit someday- just so I can shoot my own damn stuff. I need a month long break so I can finish my little road burner.
More pictures coning soon. I'm getting excited about my little 1967 Dart GT. I want the damn thing done. Steve over at Parts Monsta has all my 1967 Drat GT Factory Trim all cleaned and polished and looking like bad *** old skool jewelry. I'd like to see if it can get at least one wheel in the air under full throttle with 295/50/15's under the rear. Mickey's or Hoosier's should get the job done. Still trying to figure out what s gonna be right.
tpg

fantastic - that engine ain't gettin' outta there huh? LOL - seriously though, outstanding! rayer:

That '67 383HP Engine, with the 1967 Only "915" head is at our local Engine Master. Block has been bored .040 over, crank re-ground .010, rods resized, heads were done when I bought them, just thought it would be a good idea to have them torn down and checked out.
GM 200R4 was delivered yesterday in perfect condition, fluid clean and red- ready for the transmission master to work his magic.
Currently installing more US Car Tool frame components, while the K Frame and engine are out of the way. Torque boxes, core support, transmission cross member for the 200R4, and inner fender braces. I hate adding weight, but with the engine, transmission, rear axle modifications, I have to think it's necessary. After final fit of the rear axle and wheel combinations I'll be able to run 275 rear gripper's. Depending on the tire compound things can get a little twisted.
The car is up off the ground and even with the drivetrain out there is still too much front end body sag.
The doors, hood, and fenders, quarter's, and deck lid, are squared and straight. When I set the body up on giant jack stands you could still see frame droop on the front end.
That leaves me a little concerned. I do not want the car caged. Hopefully the rest of the added US Car Tool Components will remedy the problem.
I gotta think that other A Body owner's have found the same problems. LMK.
tpg

Having serious thoughts about trying to fit a rack and pinion manual steering box. With the beautiful Hotchkis Suspension I'm going to have to be careful with the cut off wheel and air saw. Steve over at partsmonsta has refinished ALL my '67 GT's original trim, It looks like polished jewelry. Hotchkis Suspension Components look like Chassis Jewelry. Carb's are done, 200R4 is done, Dana is done. Engine is ready for final assembly and a couple coats of Imron Hemi Orange.
I squared and finish primed the rear quarters and deck lid. Body is completely block sanded and ready for color. L4, L5, and S1 in my lower spine are fricking shot. This last push is definitely becoming the hardest part of this build. I will post some pictures as soon as I can. She is going to be my best build so far, there probably won't be more- unless they are motorcycles. I can't stand on my feet for very long each day. Still love swinging my Sata 4000's but those days are getting short.
tpg

Year One 17 x 8 Factory Rally look a likes arrived, 4&1/4" backspacing, allowing for a pair of 275/40/17 Sumitomo HTR Z III Gripper's to fit inside the wheel well's on the D60 with a teeny tiny bit of clearance. I did set the axle 1" back in the chassis. Probably shoulda went another 1/2 to 3/4". I believe a little bit more sheet metal surgery might be in order before I shoot this 'ol girl... just to be safe. This will be the last bodywork before I wrap it up and fill the gun. Having some expensive problems starting to be solved using the 4.5" BBP wheels with 225/45/17 HTR Z III's and my early Kelsey Hayes Disc Brake 5 on 4" hub/rotor. I ain't giving those up... yet.. and I'm not sure that I trust "Wheel Adapter's" Any input? Anybody had experience with them? Good? or Bad? I will beat on my car and do not want a broke off wheel/tire to phuc up my day. I'm building a road car for the most part, but I'm not afraid to throw into wicked, smokey, power slides. Want to beat up late model Mustangs, Camaro's, and the little Japper's
Flaming River close ratio manual steering box also made it to the door as did the Wilwood Master Cylinder & Proportioning Valve.
Skipping the 200R4. The few benefits don't seem to legitimize the cost of conversion. A conservative 450 HP with a cross ram manifold... I don't think having overdrive would matter much either way. Balanced, Forged Rotating Assembly will easily allow a 150 Shot of Laughing Gas. 75 Shot Spray Bar on each Carb Spacer? I've never used Nitrous- other than running one of my bud's 1100 Kawasaki in the eighth mile. It truly feels like you added another carburetor instantly- by pushing a button.
Now that the two trucks I refinished are off to the Hot Rod Power Tour- a Saleen Mustang arrives. I swear I'm going to build an electrified fence around our yard.... well... as soon as my friends/clients have paid for the parts to finish my little Dart GT. Man, I just want this bad dog done! I've owned this 'ol girl for nearly 6 years and other than a couple of smokey burnouts in the driveway- I have never had it legal and on the road. Seems like I can always hear a clock ticking... seems like it was just after I turned 50 that I bought this little gem, and now I'm three years away from 60! Holy phuc ken shi ite! Hopefully I haven't forgotten how to work a ratchet shifter!
MOPAR! my brother's! MOPAR!
tpg

Reworking the factory 5 on 4" Hub's and Rotors to accept Moroso 1/2" x 20 x 3" Lug/Stud's on 5 x 4&1/2" BBP.
Easier than I thought. Well, easier dropping them off at a qualified machine shop.
Thought I'd throw a couple pictures up- although I still don't have a free minute to beat this 'ol girl into submission

1967 383HP Engine Forged Rotating Assembly is balanced. Engine builder should have it together soon as he's back from The Hot Rod Power Tour- in a phuc ken truck I stripped and refinished. Still have a ton of work to do under the hood. Have to make adequate mounting brackets for the GM One Wire Alternator and aftermarket A/C. Sounds simple enough... if I didn't have a Cross Ram Manifold to work around.
Had to rework the rear wheel well opening's a little out back to stuff the 275/40/17's under it.
Adding Torque Boxes, Inner Fender Braces, and Core Support Stiffener's today. Frame Connectors have been for a while. US Car Tool Components are of excellent quality, and ease of installation make them priceless.
tpg

New Weapon of Mass Tire Destruction. Engine has been done. I've said it before but next week I will shut the gate and build my Dart GT. I hate seeing my car that I've had for at least six years sitting and getting no attention. I'm not working on anybody's anything ever again.... well at least for a few months.
I'll do my best to get it ready for the Hot Rod Power Tour.

If I had a frikken brain I'd stop tweaking stuff.....well if I could control the amount of Testosterone being released, I could live a long and happy life. Of course if my aunt had a pecker- she'd be my uncle...
So the saga continues... the 1967 Dart GT is on the rotisserie. I had to go back and grind re-weld/clean up almost all of the US Car Tool Components that I tried to weld in from underneath the car. A few days work lost, but the work had to be done correctly. The body is so straight, I had to make the chassis match it. By the end of this week everything underbody, including all seams, will be stitch welded, seam sealed, and shot in a Sherwin Williams Epoxy Primer.
Black or Red Exterior Color? I already have the Red, engine compartment is cut in....but I can change that right now.
The next whackoman step? I'm eliminating the vent window and modifying my doors to except single door glass from the '73 I boned out. Also contemplating welding in the windshield wiper motor mount area and using an Intermittent Windshield Wiper Motor with washer control, which will reside behind the dashboard. I don't like the A Body wiper motor location. It can be eliminated. I like intermittent wipers. This Dart may not make this years Hot Rod Power Tour- but It will be ready and bugged out long before next years event. It is being built to run on the street- no matter what the weather is doing.
My front gate is closed and all I work on is my little Bad Dog- everyday- until she sets on the ground.
Thanks to all for putting up with my constant whine about "No Time"
thepaintguy