1973 Super Blue Dart Sport

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73smurf

73smurf

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Just picked up a 1973 Super Blue Dart Sport, Had no idea the kind of following these A-Bodies had! I have a 1969 Roadrunner that i am putting together, and while hunting for parts for it, i came across this Dart. It definatley needs some work but it is a well optioned car.

I have a couple quick questions:
1. Is there a breakdown on production figures with what options and what colors?
2. where can i find the kit to "stinkbug" the back end of this car? it is way too low for my liking!
 
Speaking on the back end, DON'T put a lousy shackle extension kit on there........The best and easiest way to do what you want (and least expensive) is to put a set of Gabriel Air Shocks on the rear.....you can do it yourself in the driveway or yard.........it will get the pressure off the rear springs, and restore a stock height to it, OR give you a big rake if you want it.

Some guys here don't like air shocks at all..........but if you don't have a lot of cash, and you want the rear adjustable and riding nicely, it's the least expensive way to go..........as far as I'm concerned, they work great........If I was racing regularly, I'd opt for a set of Super Stock leaf springs instead...but it's a lot more dough, and a lot more work, even welding in some cases.
 
Welcome, Put a set of Mopar Performance 002/003 super stock springs in the rear. That will get it up there.
 
are the super blue darts low production? also this car was built 03/27/73 what should the engine number be if it is the original engine? i picked up a set of slotted mags for the car, the from two are the small bolt pattern, the rear two are the big bolt pattern (83/4 rearend). they are all 14x6, what would be a good set of tires for these wheels? probably thicker in back...
 
What,s a super blue dart?they made around 11,000 73 dart sport,s as for 4speeds and auto. #,s?? haven,t been able to get much info.??Mines 1973 Dart Sport 340 4 speed TB3 white int. fold down back seat.Good luck with the projects??:read2:
 
When i decoded my fender tag. it said the color was Super Blue. My car has the folding rear seat and the console with an automatic. also (had) air conditioning.
 
Welcome to FABO! Good to have you here. If you are looking for numbers and all that for A-bodeys It is going to be hard. These cars have not been documented like the B and E cars have. Do you have any pics you can put up. We like car porne around here you know. LOL
 
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Superstock springs are a cheap way to get the rear up... they're only about $110 a side, almost free if you ask me. ;)
 
DemonDave said:
Superstock springs are a cheap way to get the rear up... they're only about $110 a side, almost free if you ask me. ;)
Click to expand...

Where can these springs be purchased from? also where would i start looking for a buildsheet? thanks
 
Build sheet would be most likely under the back seat if there is a back seat in there I cant tell lol.
 
A better cheap way is to get a pair of coil over load leveler type shocks, you will get the lift you want without dealing with leaking air bladders, or having the lines break and dropping the lips of the wheel wells on to those wide tires I'll bet you'll put on next! You could gain an inch ot two using a set of shock extensions that bolt onto the lower eye of the shocks.
The best way,really, is to use
1) new EXD leaf springs(like what 340/big block cars had) or
2) a set of superstock springs, which will be a bit stiffer too , and a good investment if more power will be added later, or
3) if the springs you have are in basically good shape, a good spring shop can re-arch yours, or add some arch to change the body height, or even add an extral leaf, giving you a poor man's set of Superstocks.
The EXD or Super Stock springs can be gotten from Mancini Racing or any distributor of Mopar Performance parts, Even jegs or Summit Racing.
To re-arch yours, look in the yellow pages under Suspension.
Air shocks are really a pain in the ***, and the flexing they give the upper shock mounts can go so far as to rip the mounts out of the floor, or lead to repair work later. For what they cost, the springs are a better idea.
Another trick, have the spring shop put clamps on the leaves at every seperation forward of the mounting point for the rearend. This will help stiffen them up and help control axle windup.
Then, get or make an adjustable pinion snubber with the tip of the snubber 1/2" to 1" below the contact point on the floorpan.
Leave the "traction bars" to the Ford and Chevy guys, Mopars don't need them.
Alan627b
Extra heavy duty springs http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/extraheavyduty.html
super stock springs
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/superstock.html
shock extensions http://store.summitracing.com/partd...1288&N=700+400330+4294804463+115&autoview=sku
pinion snubbers http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/adpinsnib.html
I used to have a red/white 73 dart sport 340. Looks like yours is the color known as petty blue or basin street blue. Good luck with it!
Alan
 
Nice old dart. Looks like a solid project. Good luck with it! Keep us updated....
 
73smurf said:
Where can these springs be purchased from? also where would i start looking for a buildsheet? thanks
Click to expand...

They're as close as your closest Dodge dealer. There are two different versions, the 2800 lb springs (that I have, nice ride) and the 3000-3200 lb springs (really stiff ride).

P3412002 Competition Leaf Spring — Right, 3000-3200 lbs (A-Body)
P3412003 Competition Leaf Spring — Left, 3000-3200 lb (A-body)

P4120863 Competition Leaf Spring — Right, 2800 lbs (A-Body)
P4120864 Competition Leaf Spring — Left, 2800 lbs (A-Body)

You need a pair obviously, but the pn's are different left and right as the passenger side leaf pack has an extra spring.

PS: Don't pay list, all dealers are willing to give the garage price if you ask for it. :)
 
Thanks for all the info guys! I pulled my rear seat and found about 2/3 of a buildsheet as well as a little metal tag. I am going to try and get the carpet out today as it is very very nasty, who knows, might even find a second build sheet!


I am having a difficult time tracking down A-Body bucket seats for this car. usually you can find anything you want on ebay, but for some reason no bucket seats.... also, i would like to put new carpet down as the carpet that is in it is very gross, is there anyone who specifically makes a carpet kit for a center console car?
 
73smurf said:
Thanks for all the info guys! I pulled my rear seat and found about 2/3 of a buildsheet as well as a little metal tag. I am going to try and get the carpet out today as it is very very nasty, who knows, might even find a second build sheet!


I am having a difficult time tracking down A-Body bucket seats for this car. usually you can find anything you want on ebay, but for some reason no bucket seats.... also, i would like to put new carpet down as the carpet that is in it is very gross, is there anyone who specifically makes a carpet kit for a center console car?
Click to expand...

Ahh, now the fun starts! Be prepaired for some rust when you pull the carpet up. As for the buckets, keep looking on ebay. Every now & then they have a set for sale. Also check here as well, in the for sale section.

For carpet I would hit up one of the big three, YearOne, The paddock, or Ledgendary. They should be able to help you out.

Good luck on it, its a solid looking old dart.

Matt W.
 
Build sheets were stashed all over the inside of these cars. Rear seat is the most common place I've found them. Under front seats and on top of or on the back of the glove box is another place. Possibly under the carpet, too.

Check your VIN. If the 5th digit is a G, it's a 318 car; if H it's a 340. The body code plate under the hood on the driver's side will also have a lot of the build sheet info on it, though the build sheet is a lot more detailed.

Dr. Mopar may have some rebuildable cores for your bucket seats. They were probably high backs, so shipping will be high.

According to Galen Govier, TB3 was called Basin Street Blue in 72 & 73. The PPG paint charts I have for 72 show the same paint code (and formula) being called Basin Street Blue by Plymouth and Blue Streak by Dodge. (Sorry I don't have the 73 PPG color chips.) Go figure.
 
Thanks for all the help so far guys!

Here is a couple pictures of the build sheet, some would say alot is missing, i am saying that there is alot there! I ordered a book on decoding the build sheets, i know that stuff is available online but would rather have the reference book.

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So I took an afternoon and carefully pulled out the nasty carpet that was in my dart and as I suspected there was rust. It is not terrible but it could be in a few years. I ordered a quart of Rust doctor and will spend some time with the wire wheel breaking the rust free then will tape off and cover with the rust doctor. At some point I will hit it with some color matched rattle can paint, then install new carpet. I am not building a show car out of this one but I do want a nice clean driver. I had high hope of another build sheet but there was nothing under the carpet or in the door or quarter panels, I guess I should be happy with the partial one I found…
 
don't know if you found the buckets yet, but there is a guy selling some for $200 on orlando craigslist. hopefully this is buried far enough into the post that someone else wont snatch them up :)

You seem to be excited about the project... try not to get dragged down.
 
I called on the seats and left a message but i think shipping would kill me! thanks for the heads up!

I have been building various cars for many years, I am tired of trying to do the "full restoration" and am now building drivers
 
looks like my 73 sport but mine is a "convertriple" 340 car. Best $700.00 I ever spent, I just wish I had time and money to rebuild it!! Mine is called petty blue but it looks a lot like the same color as yours
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You gotta love Petty blue. It just screams MoPar!!
Too bad mine looks like it was painted on with a wire brush.
Breaks my heart to have to paint it a different color, but I think a change is comming.
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