Ship it or drive it....

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67Dart440GT

67Dart440GT

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What would you do?

I've been looking to add another driver to my collection of Mopar A bodies. I found a really nice 70 Dart in Florida. I have always thought about flying down and driving it back or driving down with someone and driving it back. I do worry about something breaking on the trip. I have a shipping quote from a reputable company for an enclosed trailer for $2,300.

What are your thoughts? Would it be fun to drive it home or too stressful and risky?

Has a well build stroker 318 and 3:23 rear gears.
 
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if you got time i would fly out there and drive it (provided you dont live in alaska)

this way, if the car is not what the seller portrayed it to be, you can cut your losses and fly home
and if it is, well thats just a great adventure
 
If it is a driver you probably don’t need an enclosed trailer.
It is cheaper with an open trailer. They ship new cars that way all the time.
 
What's the seller say about it? Tell him you're gonna come kick his *** if it doesn't make and see how he reacts. LOL
 
You can always park it here when it tears up and I will "take care of it" for you. ;)
 
Drive it! Live an adventure, have some fun and make a great memory. Fly down, take a small tool box with you and give it a good once over before you hit the road.
 
I did that with a tool truck. Flew to Dallas from NE Iowa and drove it back. It was a very memorable adventure.
 
While not as far I took the train to Sacramento to look at a tired, old 1969 Polara wagon in 2001 (or thereabouts). To make matters even more interesting, the guy I bought it from was just flipping it after pulling it out of a storage yard (as I understood it). Brakes were a little iffy and half the dash lights didn't work, but I bought it and headed south (150 or so miles). Pulled into my driveway a few hours later without incident.

I also knew a guy who flew out to Boston to buy a 1970 Coronet R/T convertible (440/4sp) and drove it home to central California. Top down the whole way. That was in the 1990s.

Check the car out, get the suspension checked, change the oil and bring some basic tools. Also, get some numbers of Mopar folks along your route and take a drive...
 
People do it all the time , take your time couple days you are back home .. someone would be willing to help you if you have trouble ..go for it
 
Where abouts in Florida?

I am mid state on the East Coast Melbourne/Palm Bay, Florida area right now. 60 miles South of Cocoa Beach. (heading out in a couple weeks)

Could go lay a pair of eyes on it and take it for a drive to see if it's anywhere near road worthy for you, if it's not too far away.

In reality I would say with those 3.23 gears, the engine is going to be spinning 3,500 - 4000 rpm at 80 mph at today's freeway speeds.

24 hours drive time FL to WI.

Best to get it up on a trailer for the 1800 mile trip home.

Dirty fuel issues on a 50 year old car that has been sitting is always a big concern too. Over heating a stroker engine is all to real.
 
Car is near Tampa. The car has been regularly driven. Engine has about 2,000 miles on it. I don't have a truck or trailer anymore so it's either ship or drive. The owner did mention the tires look good but said they are old and should be replaced before it heads out.
 
67Dart440GT said:
Car is near Tampa. The car has been regularly driven. Engine has about 2,000 miles on it. I don't have a truck or trailer anymore so it's either ship or drive. The owner did mention the tires look good but said they are old and should be replaced before it heads out.
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I would drive it. What's a couple thousand miles. Back roads or the right lane and take your time.
 
toolmanmike said:
I would drive it. What's a couple thousand miles. Back roads or the right lane and take your time.
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I have someone to go with me. I'm thinking about renting an Enterprise mini van and taking the family on a trip. This way I can pack tools and spare parts. I literally have my Demon 340 engine apart and can bring a box of spares. Carb, coil, ballast, distributor... Things like that. Take a week off work and take her slow. I'm buying the car to drive so I don't want to just putt putt around town when I get it home anyway.
 
You can do what everyone else is doing by recording the adventure and posting it on youtube , you can start your own channel and make big bucks. lol
 
You can spend all the money you want. The last one I bought $100 flight spirit airlines to florida guy picked me up at the airport bought a trip license then back home 50-55 with 3.91’s . If you are going through St Louis and have trouble I have shop and parts
 
I flew out to Reno and drove my 70 Dart from Reno to Fl , 3200 miles.
Burnt , leaked, lost 28 quarts of oil on the way. It looked like a truck with mosquito spray going down the hi way.
If the drive train, engine, suspension, and brakes are good, go for it !!
 
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