1970 Dart Accident and need fix up recommendations/ Advice!!

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Tonyjacuzzi

Loretta the Dart
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
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San Francisco
I'm an idiot... I Planted the passenger side of my 70 Dart into the back of a pickup... now I've gotta figure out all I need to do. Trying to find the right Bay Area (or not, but probably NorCal or Nearby) body shop to take on the project. She's not a 10, but she's mine and I love this car to pieces (Her name's Loretta), I've owned it for 12 years and dumped more money in than I'd like to admit... had all the electrical done, new disc brake conversion... the list goes on. I don't want to sell it, but I'm worried I can't afford the work that needs to be done or that I can't find anyone to work on it! Any recommendations welcome, like, for shops to work on it, or for available parts. or parts Im not thinking about that I'll need to source. the things i'm thinking about:
1) he hood... do you think it can be straightened? or will it need to be replaced? Tough to find any Metal hoods for this model online...
2) I'm thinking of ordering these fenders (they're fiberglass and mine are steel) do you think they're correct?
1970 dodge dart fiberglass front fenders pair mopar | eBay
3) I Found the headlight bezel for the grill that matches
4) what other parts do I need? Where should I find them that I'm not looking?
How much should a job like this cost?
How long should it take?
Tell me everything!

loretta smash 5.jpg


loretta smash 4.jpg


loretta smash 3.jpg


loretta smash 2.jpg


Lorretta smash 1.jpg
 
Hoods are not hard to find so replace it. I'd just find another steel fender and extension too. How is the inner fender?
It doesn't look that bad.
 
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The hood and fender are toast. I’d start taking it apart and see what else is tweaked. You will likely have to replace the radiator support and possibly the inner fender well and possibly straighten or replace the frame rail if it is bent.
 
take the hood off...leave the fender on, they might want to pull on it
This^^^^^ Even if the fender is toast.....and it is, it needs to stay for now so the shop can have something to pull on to get the inner fender where it needs to be. The inner fender is likely savable. I wouldn't touch it. Let the shop do it all.
 
Trying to straighten the sheet metal will be much more labor extensive & expensive than the replacements. There are probably plenty of the parts & pieces on this site, put a "Wanted Ad" up & see what shows up.
 
I agree with the others, leave the fender on, a good frame shop should have no trouble getting it straight, then toss the hood and fender, should be a fairly easy find, lots of parts for sale here.
She looks like a real sweet ride.
Good luck
 
I did the same to my 69 Dart in 1979. Leave it all together and take it to a frame shop, they will take measurements and see if it can be brought back to spec before you remove anything. No matter how soft or hard a hit the inner fender, core support, and possibly the frame rail will need to be inspected and brought back to spec. That is what I did with mine, then the inner fender and right side core support had to be replaced along with the fender and hood. You might get lucky and not have to replace the inner fender and core support, but you never know until inspected by a professional...
 
If you decide to take off parts...

TAKE 1,000,000 PHOTOS.

also save everything, Nuts, bolts etc. Even bent or broken parts.

After car is 110% then decide if you need any left overs.

My 67 dart took a driver's side glancing blow to a pole (Dad did it in the 90s) It took out the front bumper but the bracket was streight enough to bolt on another bumper. The front fender was toast but the inner fender was untouched. Hood was also untouched.

I was able to just replace the fender and it fit just as good as the OEM:rolleyes:

Good luck to you.
 
Man that sucks but what a nice car. Probably everything is available but that little black and chrome fender molding strip that's all scrunched up. My understanding is that those moldings are near-unobtainable (I have the same moldings on mine too!).
Best of luck in getting her fixed up easy without breaking the bank!
 
The bumper is straight so it was a high hit, chances are the frame rail is straight... It's gonna need a pull to bring the inner fender back into shape... As everyone has said leave the fender on it... I'd pull the hood so it can be driven without the hood interfering with your vision....

Sounds like no insurance money for you? Unfortunate cause while the damage isn't to bad shops are damn expensive these days...

I'd source my own parts since time = money & a shop will mark up the parts to cover their time...
 
Bummer, is it leaking coolant also? (I see a puddle) you can buy new steel fenders, otherwise a good replacement is not hard to find. Hoods are getting a little harder to find but they are still out there, I think 70 is a one year only hood, 71 & 72 look identical but bolt on a little different where the hinges go, but they can easily be used. You need a fender extension, 1970 was also a 1-year part made of fiberglass, but a 1971 part can be used, they are metal. Your inner fender is gonna be tweaked some but I’m sure it’s an easy fix. Lower front valance under the bumper could be tweaked some since it bolts to the fender and might have pulled on it. You will also need the headlight mounting bracket and hardware. Your grille is damaged on the very end by the bumper but can still be used and not real noticeable when installed...hopefully where it bolts on in other places it didn’t break, they can be tough to find in nice shape but they do sell them new also. Bumper looks tweaked a little or maybe the grille is pushed back some? Possible you will need a upper grille support panel or I’m sure it could be straightened, hopefully your radiator support is fine, otherwise a little tug on that I’m sure it will be good. That side trim might be tough to match up, that’s not the factory trim. Side marker light could be bent a little bit they are tough so you should be ok.

If you were closer to Minnesota I could help you out with some extra parts I have! Sucks this happened but your car can be fixed! I wouldn’t remove any parts till a shop can look at it. You’ll have it repaired soon, good luck!
 
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My ragtop took a hit like that on drivers fender. Looked terrible. Minor pull with fender on and new used fender and back on the road. Looks like you missed the bumper ( I hope)
 
The hood and fender are toast. I’d start taking it apart and see what else is tweaked. You will likely have to replace the radiator support and possibly the inner fender well and possibly straighten or replace the frame rail if it is bent.
Frame rail? Doesn’t look THAT bad...
But it DOES hurt to look at it.
 
Take it to a professional body shop and get an estimate and evaluation, and go from there. No sense in making plans until you know what boat your in.
 
I think you can fix it. inner fender, fender, and headlight stuff. Try your hand at plastic work on the grill and see how far you get. If you can wrangle a friend into helping out ...even better.

$0.02
 
Man that sucks but what a nice car. Probably everything is available but that little black and chrome fender molding strip that's all scrunched up. My understanding is that those moldings are near-unobtainable (I have the same moldings on mine too!).
Best of luck in getting her fixed up easy without breaking the bank!


Agree! That black bodyside moulding will probably be the hardest part to find in good condition. I don't know anyone who is making them. Be sure to keep the old one as you may have to repair it and reuse it.
 
Hoods are not hard to find so replace it. I'd just find another steel fender and extension too. How is the inner fender?
It doesn't look that bad.
Would you consider Fiberglass fender? I found a pair of them online that look complete and correct for the car and the price seems reasonable. Let me know your thoughts, I want to get it right. I need to get the shop to assess the inner fender. other suggestions welcome. I think I may have a line on some metal fenders too!!!

Loretta new fender fiberglass.jpg
 
Would you consider Fiberglass fender? I found a pair of them online that look complete and correct for the car and the price seems reasonable. Let me know your thoughts, I want to get it right. I need to get the shop to assess the inner fender. other suggestions welcome. I think I may have a line on some metal fenders too!!!

View attachment 1715852433
I personally would not use the fiberglass fender. I had a set several years ago and they were just crap.
 
Agree! That black bodyside moulding will probably be the hardest part to find in good condition. I don't know anyone who is making them. Be sure to keep the old one as you may have to repair it and reuse it.
no Question, I've been looking for those pieces for a really long time to no avail! why doesn't Classic industries or another outfit make them? seems like those lil trim pieces get dogged really easily and would be a popular cheap and cheerful buy. if you have a line on a set let me know!
 
Bummer, is it leaking coolant also? (I see a puddle) you can buy new steel fenders, otherwise a good replacement is not hard to find. Hoods are getting a little harder to find but they are still out there, I think 70 is a one year only hood, 71 & 72 look identical but bolt on a little different where the hinges go, but they can easily be used. You need a fender extension, 1970 was also a 1-year part made of fiberglass, but a 1971 part can be used, they are metal. Your inner fender is gonna be tweaked some but I’m sure it’s an easy fix. Lower front valance under the bumper could be tweaked some since it bolts to the fender and might have pulled on it. You will also need the headlight mounting bracket and hardware. Your grille is damaged on the very end by the bumper but can still be used and not real noticeable when installed...hopefully where it bolts on in other places it didn’t break, they can be tough to find in nice shape but they do sell them new also. Bumper looks tweaked a little or maybe the grille is pushed back some? Possible you will need a upper grille support panel or I’m sure it could be straightened, hopefully your radiator support is fine, otherwise a little tug on that I’m sure it will be good. That side trim might be tough to match up, that’s not the factory trim. Side marker light could be bent a little bit they are tough so you should be ok.

If you were closer to Minnesota I could help you out with some extra parts I have! Sucks this happened but your car can be fixed! I wouldn’t remove any parts till a shop can look at it. You’ll have it repaired soon, good luck!
Thanks for this! I get out to Wisconsin for business, could do a side trip but getting the parts on the plane might be a bit of a pain! If
If you have a hard time locating parts I would suggest Wildcat Auto Wrecking. They are near Portland,Or, but they have a large inventory, and worth the drive.

https://www.wildcatmopars.com/
Oh man! thats a great suggestion! thanks and I'll look into it!
 
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