1968 Dodge Dart Western Sport Special Restoration

[68wssDartmmb]

Had to remove the shackle brackets that were welded to the frame rails so the leaf spring slider brackets would fit in and go all the way back. I cut the brackets out and ground off the welds.

 

[68wssDartmmb]

I had to remove the leaf spring shackles relocation brackets from the frame. Cut them out and ground the welds down. Did this so the leaf spring slider brackets would mount all the way back against the stock out board mounts.

 

[68wssDartmmb]

lol! I added it once and it didn’t load so I did another one and they both loaded. Sorry for the repeat.

 

[68wssDartmmb]

Also got the drivers side rear 1/4 panel knocked down to metal and sealed it. Just need to do the passenger side next.

 

[68wssDartmmb]

This weekend I took down the passenger side rear 1/4 panel to bare metal, had less holes drilled in it but much thicker body filler then the drivers side also had a patch panel made in the rear lower section. I wanted to see if that can be replaced with a new piece and remove the piece that was made there. Has some open weld seams.

 

[68wssDartmmb]

Took my HDK Hemi Denny front suspension pieces to a local powder coating place and had them done in an espresso brown with a brass flakes. It came out great, I will post pictures of the k member and loop bars next

 

[68wssDartmmb]

I had the rear bumper brackets done a while back and the bumper chromed by the guy at spring fling about 4 years ago. Getting it ready to mount on the Dart

 

[68wssDartmmb]

Mounted rear bumper

 

[68wssDartmmb]

Sorry it’s been a while since I posted updates on the Dart, I sold my Savoy last year and it went back East and when I was at MATS in Vegas a few months back I got a call from a broker asking me if I built a car they had and sent me pictures, I said yes that’s my car I built. I was wondering why the man I sold it to was selling it because he always wanted a max wedge like the one I built. The broker said he passed away from a heart attack and his brother inherited it and he is selling it. How crazy is that. The broker said a man from Florida is buying it so I guess it now resided in Florida. Anyway still struggling with getting a body shop to paint the car. As you know this is now the 4th guy I have given money to and now waiting to be pulled in. Been 3 months since I gave a deposit. My brother works at a classic car shop in Simi Valley and could get AMD front fenders for a really good price with shipping so I replaced the front fenders rather then having the body guy repair the original ones. They need more work on them than the cost of the AMD fenders. Also my HDK upper and lower control arms are finished, had them modified to put heim joints rather than bushings and installed QA1 friction free ball joints. Need to get spindles now. Going to go the TZR and TBS brakes up front. Also mock mount the aluminum front bumper brackets I purchased from a member here on A bodies only. I really like them. I got my custom pistons from Diamond, I will post some pics of those. Just wanted to let you guys know I’m still plugging along with the Dart

 

[68wssDartmmb]

Forgot to mention I’m putting 67 DODGE letters on the L023 Hood

 

[DieWilde13]

Looks sweet!

 

[68wssDartmmb]

Ok, got some updates on the Dart. Removed the driver side outer fender well to remove the dent on the 1/4 panel and then weld those drilled holes closed. I also purchased my split mono leaf springs from Caltrac, the leaf springs are for a 62-63 B body so it has a 21” front segment rather then the 21”. I want the rear end back more for rear tire clearance at the front edge of the rear fender well. Also mounted the Caltrac rear sliders to the leaf springs.

 

[68wssDartmmb]

I will post pictures when I install them for mockup

 

[68wssDartmmb]

Sorry posted the leaf springs wrong, they are for a 65 Belvedere not 62-63