I've had two 65 Dodge Darts. Bought my first one in 1966. It had a little over 10,000 miles on it and was in perfect condition. It came with the spring yellow paint, black vinyl top, white and gold interior with 273 HiPo engine with 4-speed and 7.25 open rear with 13" Cragar mags. The mags had chrome rims, but the aluminum spokes were polished, not chrome. Best time in the 1/4 mile was 14.71 with cheater slicks. Chrysler must have replaced 5 spider gears and I replaced 2 diffs after the warranty ran out. I beat every GTO 4 barrel, 325horse SS396 Chevelle and every Mustang except the 271 hp cars, and they only got me by a 1/2 car length or so. No automatic HiPo Dart or Barracuda ever beat me in the 1/4 at Phenix Dragway in Phenix City, AL.
My current 65 Dart is a Dart Charger built in December 1964 at the LA plant. I'm in the process of restoring the car but have put 15" Cragars on it, Wilwood front disc brakes, all new suspension with front and rear sway bars from PST as well as a 8.75 limited slip 3.55 diff. I'm just wrapping up a rebuild on a 340 to install in place of the badly worn 273. I'm also converting it from an automatic to an 833 which I rebuilt myself. It's attached to a Gearvenders overdrive so I can cruise comfortably on the street.
Purists may dislike the decisions I've made to a real Dart Charger, but it's my car and I'll do what I wish with it.
