66 Dart 170 Sedan 273 HP

[Bogie]

Well its finally time to truly get to work on the Dart it a 1966 2 Dr Sedan 170 Base. That best I can figure someone wanted a D/Dart and could not get one so my car was ordered. Its a True Base model but has the 273 4BBL, A833, 8 3/4 rear W/3.91's, Kelsey Hays Disc, Radio Delete, Rubber Mat, Bench seat.

I bought it as a driver about 12 years back it had a mild 340/727 in it but came with the original drive train. I had restored the 273 & the 4 speed then broke the car down to its current state as it was to be painted the original LL1 - Dark [SIZE=-1]Turquoise [/SIZE]Metallic. In Nov 99 I was in a pretty severe accident which kept me from being able to work on the car till recently.

So were starting over first with the body I now have all 4 reproduction floor pans & frame connectors that will be going in over the next few weeks, then to re install the drive train. I had installed a new complete suspension years back (ESPO springs & polly bushings) . I think I may try the roller paint job that has been on many sites reciently.

Thanks for looking. :-D

 

[dartcuda]

Looks like a good start. Nice to see another 66 Dart on this site. Look forward to seeing more of it as you get more done on it. I have been posting pics of mine as I have gotten stuff don it it too.

 

[rumblefish360]

Nice car and a decent starter to boot. That rear lower 1/4 looks to be the hardest part. I see the car is in good company with a Challenger and Charger.

I used to work up the block in Richmond Hill train yard for a few years with the L.I.R.R.

 

[memike]

Here is the one I am hoping on getting soon.
Sounds like your will be a fast ride.
keep us posted

 

[65s]

Cool car, worthy of the work! Will you repaint it black or white?

 

[memike]

Cool car, worthy of the work! Will you repaint it black or white?

Did you get my pm yesterday 65s

 

[toolmanmike]

Great project car, and rare I'm sure because of the base model with the HP
drivetrain. My first car was a 65 Dart 270 2dr. post car with the HP273.
I found production #'s and found it was one of a few hundred. Good luck
on your Dart and keep us posted with your progress. toolmanmike

 

[GTGrinly]

Nice to hear you can get going on your Dart...let me know if you need any 66 parts, I have a 66 vert for a donor to my 65 vert and won't be using alot of the 66 parts myself. Also, how can you tell a D/Dart..I've been after a guy for about a year now who's got a white 66, 273 4bbl 4sp that's headed into the ground. I guess the guy, around 50, has had it since highschool and won't let go.

 

[Bogie]

Cool car, worthy of the work! Will you repaint it black or white?

The car is originally [SIZE=-1]Turquoise[/SIZE] as can be seen in the engine bay pic to which I want to have it redone in. But my skills are not in the paint dept so I will most likely paint it white my self till I can afford to have it done correctly. Althou I do want to try the roller paint a lot of guys have used with success they do have a [SIZE=-1]Turquoise that looks close.[/SIZE]

Nice to hear you can get going on your Dart...let me know if you need any 66 parts, I have a 66 vert for a donor to my 65 vert and won't be using alot of the 66 parts myself. Also, how can you tell a D/Dart..I've been after a guy for about a year now who's got a white 66, 273 4bbl 4sp that's headed into the ground. I guess the guy, around 50, has had it since highschool and won't let go.

As far as I know ALL the True "D/Darts" were GT cars. What we figured was that someone wanted one was not able to get it, and ordered this car going with the cheapest model then optioning it out for racing for the most part.

Thanks for the offer GTGrinly ill defiantly keep it in mind. I'm just glad to see more interest in these cars when I first got it there was almost no aftermarket support. I can't even count how many times I have been asked what kind of car it is.

Her are two sites for those interested in D/Darts
D/Dart
Auto Hobby Digest D/Dart

And here is one on the 66 T/A cars
Group 44 Darts

 

[Bogie]

For those that may need it here are pics of the Rear Floor pans available from Kramer Auto for the early A-Body's

First is the Left

Second is The Right

 

[1966 dart wagon]

lookin good, good luck with the flooring, i always loved the 66's:-D

 

[Bogie]

Well so much for getting started on the floors tommorow as the pans from Kramer auto are incorect, they told me that these were for the 63-66 A's but after trial fitment today there clearly not. :spiderma: After pealing back there labels the suppliers label states 67-76 I purchased the 2 rear's & right front from them at Carlisle as thats all that were left so i went to ABS for the left front which is correct. Now I have to wait & ee what there going to do to make this right.

 

[Bogie]

Well finally got to really start on the Dart again after finally getting the correct front pans a year latter 08 then helping a buddy get his Challenger going and starting on his Charger (my car lives at his house).

The front pans fit well as seen below, I got tired of the "Coming soon" for the rears so I'm gonna have to make due with the later ones. The car took a hit at some point in it's life, best I can tell was late 70's early 80's requiring a replacement drivers door, and work to the rocker/quarter. I striped down the rocker which had lots of bondo on it for a unknown reason as I'm no body guy but could have fixed it with less.

 

[goldfish65]

Glad to see you're getting a chance to work on your project, I know from experience getting the new floorpans installed is a morale boost...good luck!

 

[67limecrazy]

Its amazing how expensive those floor panels are. But good luck with the build I will be looking out to see how it comes allong.

 

[pettybludart]

Glad to see another 66 Dart saved.I like the fact that yours is got all the goodies from factory,not many of those around.Good Luck with the build!

 

[crvtec90]

:read2: They have been talking about making the correct rear floor patch panels for years now. I think it will look good with the later style since u are doing both sides and they will match each other. Id like to see them make the trunk extensions and inner wheel lips as well.

 

[Bogie]

Thanks for the encouragement guys and yes getting the floors in is a big morale boost. Last week I got the rust encapsulating paint down after final fitting yesterday I got the drivers front welded in. Next week I'll do the passenger front then get started on patching the rears.

 

[Bogie]

Well let’s bring this back from the dead. As of last year the car has new floors and US CarTools stage 3 stiffening kit installed. Consisting of Frame connectors, F&R torque boxes, lower radiator support, shock tower braces, mini tubs, and spring relocation. I also found my fender tag (I had removed it to reduce degradation) it has now been sandblasted and clear coated.

One thing throwing me off is the beige upper doors in relation to the interior. I have never seen this exterior and interior colors are turquoise. Any opinions ?

Also I searched and see ToolmanMike has some updated production numbers for 1966.

 

[toolmanmike]

It's taking shape! Those US Car Tool pieces will make for a solid car for sure. It's good to see your progress. Yep your's is a rare one. Only 109 170 2 door sedan's with 273/4, 4 speeds produced. Cool car!

 

[crvtec90]

It might be just the lighting in the photos, but from here it looks like the doors might be from another car. The paint color where the door panels go looks like a different shade of green/aqua then the rest. Great car. Have fun

 

[Bogie]

It might be just the lighting in the photos, but from here it looks like the doors might be from another car. The paint color where the door panels go looks like a different shade of green/aqua then the rest. Great car. Have fun

The drivers door was replaced long before I got the car. It also has rocker damage on that side so I assume it got hit and the repair was the reason for it getting painted white.

 

[65dartcharger]

Well its finally time to truly get to work on the Dart it a 1966 2 Dr Sedan 170 Base. That best I can figure someone wanted a D/Dart and could not get one so my car was ordered. Its a True Base model but has the 273 4BBL, A833, 8 3/4 rear W/3.91's, Kelsey Hays Disc, Radio Delete, Rubber Mat, Bench seat.

I bought it as a driver about 12 years back it had a mild 340/727 in it but came with the original drive train. I had restored the 273 & the 4 speed then broke the car down to its current state as it was to be painted the original LL1 - Dark [SIZE=-1]Turquoise [/SIZE]Metallic. In Nov 99 I was in a pretty severe accident which kept me from being able to work on the car till recently.

So were starting over first with the body I now have all 4 reproduction floor pans & frame connectors that will be going in over the next few weeks, then to re install the drive train. I had installed a new complete suspension years back (ESPO springs & polly bushings) . I think I may try the roller paint job that has been on many sites reciently.

Thanks for looking. :-D

View attachment 1714923917

View attachment 1714923920

View attachment 1714923922

View attachment 1714923926

View attachment 1714923915

View attachment 1714923916

View attachment 1714923918

View attachment 1714923919

View attachment 1714923921

View attachment 1714923923

View attachment 1714923924

View attachment 1714923925

Cool project! Subscribed.