VADodgeDart340
Well-Known Member
Hello FABO... a short rant and a request.
I am in the process of putting a 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger back on the road the way it was in the 70's - not stock. This particular car belonged to guy that got it "near new", took the 318/904 out and put a 340/727 combo in it and ran it like that for years. I got the car with the 340 "apart" in the trunk and the original 20k mile 318 in a crate. While I rebuild the 340 I am using the original motor to drive it around and do some work on it. put it all back together after it sat in a barn/shed for 13 years.
Present day: I did the mechanical, body and paint work (thanks AMD and PPG, Dante's and Tony's) but did not want to try the Vinyl Top - never done one and I was unsure of myself (big mistake). So I sourced it out. The top shop in DC had an excellent reputation and glued the top on great. They overshot the estimate by 50% but they did a semi decent job... right up until they broke the clips on the windshield and rear window and lost several pieces of trim. I had some spare stuff which they cleaned up and polished and looked real sorry for losing "a few small things". But what they lost were the two (2) little A Pillar bottom trim molding pieces and I do not have any replacements/spares. Going to Carlisle in a week so maybe some will be there... But I am looking for a set and put a "WANTED" ad on FABO.
Question: Does anybody make these parts repro? Also, can I get some advice on putting the trim clips around the front and rear glass without removing it? Also, if I do have to remove the windshield and back glass should I get new gaskets - I am thinking yes... but?
I am in the process of putting a 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger back on the road the way it was in the 70's - not stock. This particular car belonged to guy that got it "near new", took the 318/904 out and put a 340/727 combo in it and ran it like that for years. I got the car with the 340 "apart" in the trunk and the original 20k mile 318 in a crate. While I rebuild the 340 I am using the original motor to drive it around and do some work on it. put it all back together after it sat in a barn/shed for 13 years.
Present day: I did the mechanical, body and paint work (thanks AMD and PPG, Dante's and Tony's) but did not want to try the Vinyl Top - never done one and I was unsure of myself (big mistake). So I sourced it out. The top shop in DC had an excellent reputation and glued the top on great. They overshot the estimate by 50% but they did a semi decent job... right up until they broke the clips on the windshield and rear window and lost several pieces of trim. I had some spare stuff which they cleaned up and polished and looked real sorry for losing "a few small things". But what they lost were the two (2) little A Pillar bottom trim molding pieces and I do not have any replacements/spares. Going to Carlisle in a week so maybe some will be there... But I am looking for a set and put a "WANTED" ad on FABO.
Question: Does anybody make these parts repro? Also, can I get some advice on putting the trim clips around the front and rear glass without removing it? Also, if I do have to remove the windshield and back glass should I get new gaskets - I am thinking yes... but?
