1969 Dart GT convertible top of fender trim.

[tleed]

I've recently acquired a 1969 Dart GT convertible in pretty rough shape. It's not too far gone to rebuild, but one more week and it would have been.

I have questions about the top of fender "chrome" trim. My car has holes along the top of the fender for the trim along each side, but for the front fenders. They were pretty obviously replaced years ago because they've had time to rust back out at the bottom.

Given the holes in the doors & quarter panels, I assume the car had the trim originally, but it was removed and not replaced at a repaint.

The fender tag is gone, so no reference there for original equipment. The interior doors show the GT identification.

I found a pretty robust discussion here about this trim in 1967, but I don't think it addressed 1969.

My questions are:

Was this trim an extra option in 1969?

Was it "standard" on some models, such as the GT?

Did it still include the fender top turn signals in 1969, or were they separate by then?

Did the 1969 version have black paint in it, or was it all metal?

Thanks for your help.

Thomas

 

[Dana67Dart]

The GT trim package was just that a trim package.

You would not order a GT then go with any trim delete.

67 the GT trim was truly on top of the fender door and quarter peak

68 the GT trim followed the lower style line that starts at about fender height ran over the wheel openings to the rear bumper.

69 followed the same line as 67 BUT was fully on the side of the fender and much wider.

Hope that helps.

Post some photos of what you have now.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

This is my buddy's 69 Dart GT. It wears the upper body side moldings that all 69 Dart GTs were built with.

 

[tleed]

Pics of my car in current condition. Apparently it got customized in the '70's…

Anybody recognize this car? I'm told it came out of Wilmington, NC years ago. I picked it up in GA.

Anybody got a full set of '69 trim? Or a source? I assume this would be the same as the 2-door hardtop?

 

[cudamark]

Yup, '68 fender.

 

[Dana67Dart]

FYI

67 no marker light holes
68 round marker light holes
69 rectangular marker light holes


The head light buckets on 68 fenders are in a different location than 69. They can be moved.

If you don't move them the 69 front grill and headlight bezels will not fit.

 

[tleed]

Not new to Mopars, but this is the first Dart I've had in my hands. It seems that AMD has fenders that are specific and correct for '69. Year One just produces one 67-69 fender and you have to tailor it to the year. Yep, I noticed that the '68 is round marker light holes in the different place than the rectangular '69 hole, but I didn't know about the other variations, so thanks for those pointers.

My current "best" plan seems to take my trailer down to GA (I'm in VA) and pick up some body panels in bulk at AMD to bypass the shipping costs.

Any suggestions about whether that's a good plan? Good source? I'm going to need "minor" items like floor pans, quarter panels, frame rails, rocker panels, etc.

(Apparently nobody has new fender/side panels with pre-drilled upper fender trim holes.)

Thomas

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Several years ago I purchased a bunch of sheet metal for my 68 Dart convertible from AMD, and had them ship it to me in Virginia. I don't remember the cost of shipping, but I don't think it was so much that I would have considered driving that far to pick it up. But you may be far enough south in Virginia to make it worth the effort. I'm in northern Virginia near Winchester.

Two suggestions. First, I would check with AMD first to verify they have what you need in stock at their warehouse if you decide to go there. But if you are going to Chrysler Carlisle, I would find out if you could order now and pick up the sheet metal at Carlisle. And if not through AMD at Carlisle, perhaps Stephens Performance as they always bring AMD sheet metal to Carlisle.

Be aware that the quarter panels are typically "somewhat" wrapped in cardboard (but not boxed). They won't stack neatly on a trailer and the cardboard will be susceptible to wind and rain on an open trailer. Floor pans and other structural pieces are typically loose. When multiple pieces are ordered for delivery, they are typically palletized together and covered with a cardboard "tent". That works well for an enclosed common carrier's boxed truck. They would drop the pallet at the end of your driveway. But, if you're picking them up, you'll need to figure out how to haul all the various shaped pieces on an open trailer and secure them without damaging them. Quarter panels are quite fragile until they are installed on the car. To me, thats another reason to have them shipped.

 

[nutz]

all 69 vert were gt (my fav part of the gt is that trim )unless it was a gts then it doesn't have that trim
i bought amd quarts and a fender ...it needs to be truck frieght so same if you buy one quarter or the whole car
i bought a full set of trim for mine paid about $700 used ...maybe next year ill sell my old but its got some dents ....

 

[tleed]

Jim, thanks for the insight into the fragile nature of unboxed body panels. I'll keep that in mind when I mount up.

 

[Turbo440Dart]

If you think the trim is hard to find for a 69 GT wait till you realize you need the clips to put it on.

I have a full set of trim that will eventually go on my car, and a few extra pieces. It’s not common to see it come up for sale but I’d definitely give the wanted ad section a try.

 

[nutz]

Yeah I jumped on it when I seen it
Wonder if it came with clips
You my have crushed my dreams

 

[Jim 68cuda]

If RT Specialties doesn't make the trim clips you need, there may be other options. An auto body supply shop, or a automotive hardware vendor like AMK Products in Winchester, Virginia, likely has various sizes of univeral body side molding clips that may work right out of the box or with minor modifications.

Bulk Fasteners Listing — AMK Products, Inc.

 

[nutz]

I'm long way away from worrying about then
Need to hang my quarters first

 

[Turbo440Dart]

I'm long way away from worrying about then
Need to hang my quarters first

When you get to that point let me know. I have some NOS 69 GT trim clips and can get measurements and a factory part number which will help with the hunt.

 

[nutz]

Thanks
I'm sure there are a least a couple holding mine on there still ....but there are only a couple that are in really good shape
That why when saw a set jumped on it

 

[partsmonsta]

Doesn't get any better than these.
Currently on eBay.

 

[nutz]

darn paid $700 for mine ...never even had them out of the box ....hope they are close to those

 

[Darrell Keith]

The Swinger didn't have the trim which in my opinion provided a cleaner look. You might consider welding the holes up and go less trim.

 

[nutz]

Booooo I love the gt trim

 

[cudamark]

Booooo I love the gt trim

Agree, until I'd have to paint the car.....

 

[Dana67Dart]

Agree, until I'd have to paint the car.....

Turn in your Mopar card!

Pain in the *** is why we do this. Otherwise we would be into Fords and Chevys