''I'm going to fix it up someday'' The resurrection of a '74 Dart Sport......
I just had to read the whole thread again from page 1 to the end ......I love it.
These "later" cars are so under appreciated and yet they are so cool. Chrysler sure had a special car here and dart sports should never be overshadowed by the demon when its the dart sports that filled in where the E-body left off at the end of 74. Really its these "later" cars that are vital piece of history considering all the social and economic problems that existed when these cars were born. It was these cars that were intended to take us through the famous gas crunches and demands for cleaner and more efficient cars. These cars were supposed to be the answers to these problems, and in many ways they were....only to be forgotten.
People argue that early As were better built cars....to that I always say "oh yea, is that why you need 73+ suspension parts to make your well built car better" LMAO.
The engineering that Chrysler put into these cars 73+ was probably ahead of its time and its refreshing to see a piece of history and importance revived.
Thanks for the comment and kind words, Rani.
As most of you know, i have been around these A-Bodies for a lot of years now, and i've looked at them all top to bottom and in and out..... all years.
I don't really like the early A-Bodies too much other than the 66's. Why? i don't know, maybe it's styling.
When the newly designed A-Bodies for '67 came out, it was a drastic improvement in my opinion.
BUT, they still had the lousy and IMHO weak small bolt pattern suspension which was fine for a slant six 2600 pound car. I really find it hard to believe that they carried it through the '72 model year across the board as the cars became heavier and a lot more powerful.
That being said, when the 5 mph impact bumper laws came into full swing for the '73 models, the big bolt pattern front discs, heavier duty front suspension, wider front end stance, and spool mount k-members were introduced on all of the V-8 and slant 6 cars with power brakes. (All cars had the spool mount k-members though). This changed in '76 when all A-Bodies built after January 1st had the good big bolt pattern brakes. (finally!)
The rear bumper on my '74 weighs 150 lbs, and i had a hard time taking it off myself and putting it back on. Maybe it'll be good for traction in the long run, lol.
I do have a set of bumpers off of a Dart Lite that has aluminum rear reinforcements that weigh half of that, and, i might try them some time down the road.
I won't use the front, because my '74 doesn't have the impact ''shocks'' in the front bumper, it's just regular brackets and reinforcements in the bumper. I will probably just remove the steel reinforcement stamped plate inside. I think i could drop about 200 lbs by gutting the bumpers and bumperettes alone.
Styling is one of the key things that make a lot of us come to our conclusions.
Some hate the styling on the post '73 A-Bodies, and i for one like it.
I will never put down someone's ride that they have worked hard on to make them happy.
Back in the old days when i was just starting to get into it, which was the early '80s, 340s were the thing for A-Bodies on the street. Maybe a big block transplant if you were an animal!
The '73 340 and to a lesser extent the '74 - 76 360s were choked down with lower compression and heavier weight, but the E58 360 in the Dart Sports and the Dusters were pretty good performers out of the box.
So, yes, i agree with you, i feel that the A-Bodies from '73 to '76 were better built cars, even though they were a lot heavier.
I'm not putting down any one's car and the reason why they like them, i like them all.
Is my car the ultimate for me?
No, but i have fun with it knowing i have built it my way for the reasons that i have stated.
It's a fun car, and i don't have a ton of money in it!
Everyone it seems has on opinion on what year is better, what's wrong with this and that, blah blah blah.....
All i really know is that i learn something new every day.
I would love to sit down with you one day and talk about Mopars! :cheers:
