Last summer I picked up an original owner '65 Dart GT from an old guy. It was a CA bone dry 100% with over 200k miles but it needed end to end restoration to be cool again. I quickly checked many resources to find that even the nicest finished project A-bodies weren't getting anything over 12 to 15k. I accepted this lack of value and still went ahead with the full attempt to make it new again. Six months later I now have completely re-done the power train to Mopar's finest representation. It came with a tired 273 2bbl. and no options. I pulled the engine and 904 trans and sent them out to bore up to and match the Commando specs. Eng. $2,200. , trans $750. I found a complete front rotor system off of a '65 Barracuda on E-bay, $350., had the calipers rebuilt $250. and searched forever for the Mopar correct booster/tandem master, $150. I bought a '65 270 (4-door) off of E-bay for $350. way up in Idaho just to get the power steering set-up (which I had rebuilt) for $175. It was a ten hour drive up there from CA but I set up an agreement with a local junkyard that if I parted it out in their parking lot they would give me $100. bucks for the carcus with the eng./trans. I stripped every thing from bumpers to dashboard to resell to recoup my cost of the trip and have already sold less than half of those parts for over a thou on Craigslist. I played e-bay hard for two months or so to get the correct chrome air cleaner 90% perfect for $175,(dropped out of several auctions when they passed the $400. point.) And passed over several auctions for commando valve covers that went over $300. a few times till I won a set for $225. that I cleaned up and wrinkle finished.The rotor addition which became available in '65 required I get 14" wheels to clear the calipers. (5 for $100). I left stock only to upgrade the intake/carb. with the latest Edlebrock and added electronic ignition, $800. And the final touch was the daunting search for the perfect A-body 8-3/4 rear end. Got very lucky to find an open gear (non-posi) on Craigslist for $500. and after a month foud an excellent condition sure-grip diff. $600. that I'm having installed as we speak. Of course the new sping package and shocks were $300.
If you add up all these parts-modifications it looks like I've spent over six grand + a few thou on needed professional mechanic assisstance.
No kidding I never knew till this writing where I was into this thing but when adding the car purchase, $2000. it looks like I've got around ten grand into it and the body and interior haven't even been touched yet.
I love it and know I'll have spent close to 20g's when it's ready for show but my purpose is to keep it for the next thirty and enjoy it as one of my dailey drivers. This is a realistic full blown power train 1st class restoration. Anyone could shave thousands off of what I've done but let me tell you, when I open up the faded old hood (I painted the engine compartment and hood int. build color correct), It is just like in the movies when they open a treasure chest and it glows out at you.
Sorry for the long winded story, but you asked! Good Luck, Frank
