64 Dart Convertible, need advice!

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Bil_B

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Hi everyone,

New to the forum, glad to be here.

I found a 64 Dart Convertible, V8 273 here in town recently.

Purchased from the original owner, needs paint but looks straight... no rust.

Rats got to the interior, so it'll need to be gutted thoroughly, including the door panels. It will also need a new top. Dash is corroded, so that'll need to be stripped and painted.

It's literally been sitting for 20 years, so it'll take a little work to get running, but it does start up.

They want 3.5k for it as is. I'm not a mechanic, so it'll need at about a few thousand in work just to get it on the road (that includes brakes, carb rebuild, new lines, fuel tank, etc...).

Does this sound like a bad idea?

Thanks for the input.

B

Currently own a 64 GT Hardtop / Slant 6 225
 
I payed 1250 for a 63 drop top that had been sittin in a hay barn for 28 years. 3.5 k seems just a bit high for suntin that is basicly just a shell. but thats just me
 
Too high, make sure headlite& tai lights are in excellent shape Lawrence
 
Thanks for the input.
I was thinking it's a bit high as well.

All of the lights are pretty much pristine. The bevels on the front lights are in very good shape... some minor dings but I've seen worse.

Here are a couple of pics... unfortunately, I don't have better ones.
Basically, I have about 5 to 6k to spend on another car... I'm beginning to think I could do better, although the thought of having a convertible here in Northern California is something I am pretty keen on.

Cheers,
B

dart1.jpg
Screen_Shot_2015_02_02_at_10_21_36_AM.png
 
Doesn't look too bad for the price...especially since it's a V8 car...normally you will find the /6. Plus it's RED! That's worth more money.

Course it's not as cool as a 65..
 
Where is the car originally from? Looks clean but I would make dang sure the floors are solid. Price don't seem too high, red V8 will turn lots of heads! Looks like it may have a bunch of options, I also see a remote door mirror and bumper guards, what other options does it have? Auto or manual trans? Does it have buckets and floor shift? I would try to get him a little lower on the price and strike a deal... Besides, how cool would it be to have a matching droptop to go with your hardtop?! :glasses7:
 
That's a '64 Dart GT, nice car & the GT had bucket seats.
The color on the side trim is white so it should have originally had a white interior.
I like that it appears to be all there and what's hard to find looks good (body & trim).
Interior stuff & top are available along with what you need to get it on the road.
But after 20 years it's a big commitment to get it so it's safe to drive.
The price seems to high but it's so low compared to an early Mustang or a Falcon so might not be too out of line.
Even if it was free you'll probably have way more invested in it than you could sell it for so just make sure it's what you want.
And if you do think it's a car to be committed to don't wait - just go wave some cash to the seller, like $2500.
 
Car is originally from here (Northern Cal), purchased in Napa off the lot in '64, never left town.
I'll double check on those floors, but they *seem* to be solid. No rust underneath, a small spot of surface rust on the bottom of one of the doors.

Not sure of the options, except for power steering.
It's a pushbutton automatic with buckets.

Interior is seriously rough... as I mentioned, rats got to EVERYTHING... even chewed through the plastic vent covers on the top of the dash. All of the door panels will need to be tossed, too. Steering wheel is rough, missing the "50th Anniversary" center piece. Mechanics of the convertible top frame work fine. Comes with an extra set of wheels, but they are 13's.



66340SEDAN said:
Where is the car originally from? Looks clean but I would make dang sure the floors are solid. Price don't seem too high, red V8 will turn lots of heads! Looks like it may have a bunch of options, I also see a remote door mirror and bumper guards, what other options does it have? Auto or manual trans? Does it have buckets and floor shift? I would try to get him a little lower on the price and strike a deal... Besides, how cool would it be to have a matching droptop to go with your hardtop?! :glasses7:
Click to expand...
 
I have a 63 Valiant Signet Convertible that I'm close to selling , rebuilt slant , cam , milled head , two barrel , new exhaust , HEI . Bucket seats , rebuilt front end with 10" brakes and new master , new springs 3.21 rear . 14" Rallies . Very solid car . Going to need a top but the seats are OK , new carpet . Paint is descent . Looking to get around 6700.00 .PM me if you are interested .

Thanks,

Steve
 
you could do a lot worse ..... if all your missing is the insides (now that we have pics) it ain't to far off .... id pay 2500 if it runs and the pans are good. she could be a sweet ride. a red drop top would be nice to drive over 299 from blue lake to rt 3 to dinsmore. .....
 
Looks like a pretty good deal, I paid a lot more for mine, but it was in much better condition.

Check for rust in the rear quarters.

Make sure the engine is not frozen, add a battery put some gas in the carb and try to start it.

Don't go cheap on the top get a www.robbinsautotopco.com

You can order a complete new interior from legendary, but it will blow your budget completely not even counting labor.
remember your back seat is smaller than a standard back seat
 
I have to agree with SSVDP, 2.5k sounds about right. If the aluminum and tail lights are in good shape, the interior and top ain't bad. It run?
 
Yeah, seller isn't going to budge on the price... It starts if you put gas in the carb, but the tank and all of the lines / intake need to be replaced as well as the carb needs a rebuild.
 
tank CR11a about $112
Sending unit $35
Grommet $14
fuel pump $20
new filter $5
new hoses and clamps $20
Few cans of carb medic $10
rebuild kit not sure

check rockauto.com

Good luck, but remember there was a reason they stopped driving it.
Does the transmission work. could be > $900 to rebuild it.
 
Hey Trapster,

*Apparently*, the transmission is fine. It was sitting around for over 20 years... Was owned by a couple and the husband passed away.



trapster said:
tank CR11a about $112
Sending unit $35
Grommet $14
fuel pump $20
new filter $5
new hoses and clamps $20
Few cans of carb medic $10
rebuild kit not sure

check rockauto.com

Good luck, but remember there was a reason they stopped driving it.
Does the transmission work. could be > $900 to rebuild it.
Click to expand...
 
I got the same story with my 63 drop top .... turned out the frame rails were junk. pans and rockers were good .. just the frame rails ....
 
personally spend what you like on a car you intend to keep but i am STUCK in a 63 rag top BA. these are toughto source parts for and small stuff on other years of cars can be DRAMATIC cost on these cars
 
Hi again everyone!

Ok... made the purchase :eek:ccasion:
First thing is getting this baby running and the brakes... stopping.
I'll keep you all posted... it's going to be a bit of a process, so it should be interesting.

Once we get it drivable, the top goes on and work begins on the interior.
Thanks again for all of the input.

Cheers,
B
 
If mice and rats got the interior check out the wiring to make sure they didn't destroy it also

Good luck making it safe to drive
 
Bil_B said:
They want 3.5k for it as is. I'm not a mechanic, so it'll need at about a few thousand in work just to get it on the road (that includes brakes, carb rebuild, new lines, fuel tank, etc...).
Click to expand...


Bil_B said:
Hi again everyone!

Ok... made the purchase :eek:ccasion:
First thing is getting this baby running and the brakes... stopping.
I'll keep you all posted... it's going to be a bit of a process, so it should be interesting.
Click to expand...

Well, no time like the present to start learning and wrenching.

Plenty of help on the forum for ya.
 
Bil_B said:
Hi again everyone!

Ok... made the purchase :eek:ccasion:
First thing is getting this baby running and the brakes... stopping.
I'll keep you all posted... it's going to be a bit of a process, so it should be interesting.

Once we get it drivable, the top goes on and work begins on the interior.
Thanks again for all of the input.

Cheers,
B
Click to expand...

Congrats on the buy. I'll keep an eye out for you in the area - I live in E'ville and drive a 64 2 dr.
 

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congrats...... looks like very nice car to work on!

my herd is a 63,64,65 darts gt's.......and few others...LOL

once the economy heals, wars end, and avacodos are cheap again..... I guess the price of these old cars will go back up.....
I sold a 65 dart vert. rusty panels didn't run.... needed complete resto.... in '08 for $ 2000..... I don't think you paid too much..
 
Question:

If you just bought this car (knowing the condition it's in), what would YOU do next, after getting it running well and driving safely?

Cheers,
B
 
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