Recreating my old high school car

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harleydodge1

harleydodge1

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Been looking for a 73 Dart sport that I could recreate my old high school car. It was 73 340 Dart Sport. Finally found a 73 that was nice and solid. It is a 318 car but I am not into all the speed any more. Just want a nice dependable car. It is a bench seat car, my old one was a bucket seat console car. I have found some buckets and a console for it.
Then I found this 74 that was already painted red. The guy said the body and paint were pretty nice. But when he brought it, it was a darker red with silver pearl in it that make it look almost pink. The body was fairly straight but not like I like them. Should have let him take it back home but it was a very solid car and they are getting harder to find so I kept it.
The 74 was a lot farther along so I started on it. I straighten out the body work and painted it the correct F5 red that my old car was.
They will both be F5 red with the 70's style inc. big tires sticking out the rear with air shocks and a cb a radio.
I did all the body work, paint and cutting and buffing in one week. Man am I tired! Next up are the stripes on the sides, the black hood stripes and the hood scoop. I need another dual hood scoop for the 73 if anyone has one they would sell.
The 74 will have the white side stripes and not the over the roof one that the 73 will have. I think I will also leave the bench seat in the 74. That will be the only difference in the two cars.
I will update as I go.
I know everyone like pics so here ya go.
Here are couple pics of my old car that I am recreating. Man I had a lot hair back then.


The 73

what the 74 looked like when I got it ( did no look as good in person as in the pics).

after blocking out the paint.

in primer

and painted the right color
 
the recreation of the high school car is something that a lot of us would like to do
 
Quick update on the 74.
Installed the stripes and the hood scoop. Next up paint the hood stripes and scoop black. Probably do that Friday. Making a little progress,
A couple pics.

 
I think in some ways we all want to re create our high school cars...
And to me there is just something about one that's red.
The care looks great!
 
Great Job! I too am restoring a 74' (my very first car, but not the same vin) and my High School car. This 74' will have everything that I could not afford when I was 16. Keep on building!
 
That is cool man good luck on yor build . This made me think of my first highschool car and how un cool and broken it was hahaha . 91 vw passat wagon :cheers:
 
Thanks for the comments. My first car was a VW bug that my dad got me. I got my first job when I was in high school I bought the Dart. So I went from a bug to a 340 Dart Sport. Man I thought I was some body. Had a cool car and a job making my own money. No one could tell me anything not that they did not try. Just wish I would have listened a little.
Johnny since this a 74 and not a 73 like my old one I put the side stripe on it. The 73 that I have will have the over the top stripe. But that will be the only difference in the two. Really put the side stripe on it because the style line running down the middle of the car was not perfect and it will hide it.
Hey Fat. Ya the 38 will be a nice car if I ever get started on it. It has been shop art for about 5 years now. I know it will take some time to do it so I am just waiting on the right time to come along. All these other projects just keep showing up. Is a solid car that is all ready set up for a small block Mopar and 727.
Got the hood stripe ready to paint tomorrow. Just need to throw some plastic over the rest of the car and hit it with a scuff pad.
I know everyone like pics so here a few of the hood ready to paint.


 
Cool car, will look good with the hood patch. Everyone needs a 38 coupe in the garage.
 

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Love it! That's why I got back in the Mopar hobby. First car was a 65 Dart. My current car is a 66 Dart. (it came up for sale and had to have it) lol
 
Very cool...love it! Are you planning to run the wheels that are on the car now?
 
Cool build. Funny how things go - in high school I could afford the $1800 1971 Bcuda that grew from a 318 to a 368 to a 440.... 30 years later, I can't afford one worth buying to relive those days.....even more so, the 71 ragtop I had just after high school........ Oh the cars I should have kept.
 
ragtopfury said:
Cool build. Funny how things go - in high school I could afford the $1800 1971 Bcuda that grew from a 318 to a 368 to a 440.... 30 years later, I can't afford one worth buying to relive those days.....even more so, the 71 ragtop I had just after high school........ Oh the cars I should have kept.
Click to expand...

Love it. My first car was a 65 Dart, 45 years later I find a fun 66 GT 273/4 speed car. Only this one I could afford. The car I always wished my 65 was. A 3 on the tree with a bench seat. Well my original was a HP273/3 on the tree 2 door post. I found out a few years ago back then they only made a handfull with that combo...........Oh the cars I should have kept. LOL tmm
 
Hey Jaws that is going to be one bad *** 38. Love the old Mopars as they all ready look chopped. I will need to drop mine to get the look that you have. Nice car!
Yes Dozer I am going to polish up these wheels and run them. Remember this is going to be a 70's car with the back jacked up, big tires and a CB like my old 73.
I hear Ya Ragtop. Glad I didn't have a Cuda back in the day. No way I could afford one now. Luckily you can still find a good solid A body for under $3000. It took a year to find these two but they are out there. I have also found a 73 Petty Blue 318, bucket seat console car that will need some pan work for under $2000. Thinking about it. I really like these a bodies.
Well got the hood painted today. Used a flat clear on it. Took awhile to get the right sheen on it but I think as it cures out it will look right.
Next up replacing the two barrel with a four and on to the interior.


 
Another update. When I get a project that I do not know the motor in it, I like to replace certain parts. Went a little further than usual on this one. Oil pressure was a little low so I pulled the oil pan to have a look. Lots of sludge in the bottom of the pan. Oil pickup was buried in sludge and only had a small hole to suck oil from. I cleaned it out and replaced the oil pump and it has good oil pressure now.
I like to take the front end of the motor off and check and replace a few parts like the timing chain and gears and water pump. I also will replace the thermostat and all hoses and belts. Usually will replace the starter too.
This allows me to clean up and paint the front of the motor.
May be a little overkill but this way I know that most of the parts that usually give problems are new. Gives me a piece of mind for not a whole lot of money and a weekend worth of work.
Oh ya changed the 2 barrel intake to a 4 barrel while I was at it. I found a factory 4 barrel intake that still had the Thermaquad on it. Carb looks pretty good. Anyone had any luck rebuilding one. Tips?
What else do you replace on your projects just for piece of mind?
Next up after the motor is back together is some new white letter tires.
 
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