Vdarts Rag top

[VDART]

1969 dart convertible--- had since 1996-- has not been driven since 1999-- long story I have old photos that I will scan to help complete the journey.
Car was a 273- bench seat car-- I found it in the local paper-- purchased it because my friend had a 68 gts clone convert. That's what started the saga.
Fastforward to Sept 2010

Last night I finally started pulling dash pieces down to begin the reassembly process:
I do not have a time frame -- but my daughter is 9years old, my son is 16-- hopefully they will see it driven before they graduate high school. Lawrence

the pic in the avatar is the car

 

[6dart9]

This will be cool to watch. Just lock yourself in the garage for a day or two and you'll get some real progress.

 

[VDART]

these are some of the pictures I scanned in-- long story short -- body shop did a lot of the work--- I disassembled & now have to re-assemble many years later.

 

[VDART]

I have a 5" thick stack of pictures of the body work done--- mostly due to legal issues--- that is all in the past & I now need to get off my rear. If interested in seeing other pictures of the work -- I can scan them in,
Both quarters were replaced--- the front clip was replaced-- there was bondo/fiberglass holding the inner fenders to gether, the floors & inner 1/4's came from a donor 1968 parts car. The car was a mess-- I traded a nice 1966 elcamino & 3100 cash for the body work.
Lawrence

 

[68 bee]

Can you show the pictures of the front clip being replaced?

 

[a68postcar]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, ragtop. welcome, and build on. i like pics. anyone else here like pics????????????????????????????????

 

[VDART]

no pics of installing the front clip-- sorry.

 

[VDART]

more pics

 

[VDART]

the white 4door was the 1/4 panel donor,front clip & many other misc metal swaps-- I had other 69 dart fenders that we used, that were much better than the one's on the car--- the car will probably float as the interior floor is now covered in rhino lining to seal the interior & trunk.
I'll try to roll the car out this weekend & take pictures of it now .

 

[CUDA69]

It may seem like a huge project now, but with the body work done assembly will progress quickly. Just post a thread any time you have a question. That car is a keeper, you will have more fun in it than any car you have ever owned.

 

[VDART]

pics re-loaded

 

[VDART]

more

 

[VDART]

now i will try to get some pics this weekend of the rolling shell -- sat- is already planned out -- so maybe sunday

 

[VDART]

here is jhow it rolls 10/29/2010. i added the rear shackle as they were not in place on the car---

 

[VDART]

interior shot--HA!

 

[VDART]

any suggestions as to re-assembly steps--- I have bolts/nuts etc-- in jars & cans, I'm trying to reassemble the dash first----(clean up the speedo & wiring) . Then the door glass, I figure carpet & seats are simple-- putting/finding the right bolt is priceless!!
Lawrence

 

[VDART]

been having fun finding out I have a mix of tinted/non tinted glass-- plus some convert & hardtop parts mixed together!! this site is helping on the research part-- just not in the assembly portion of this vehicle. thanks Lawrence

 

[71autoxr]

V-dart thats a nice looking car. You and I are close to the same stage. I have a 69 GT convertible I just painted in October this year. I've got a post with quite a few pictures (none of re-assembly yet, but soon) in the restoration section too.


You asked in one of your post about re-assembly steps:
Buy a factory service manual - it will pay for itself.
If you can get a 1969 parts book buy it.

Break all the steps into sub-assemblies, lay out everything you need for the job, order the parts that you need. Once you have the assembly complete, install it. Certain parts have to go in a certain order. Depending how far apart the car is taken it's best to plan ahead. Good luck, and can;t wait to see the progress. If you need any help make sure to ask on the board, or you can pm me and I'd be glad to help ya out.

 

[1964 hippo]

Sweeetttt!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[VDART]

I have the fsm, need the parts book----just found out about the door glass being all different types. thanks for the support!!

 

[jefflock]

VDART, Set up a work day some weekend and I'll come down and help. Let me know.

 

[VDART]

Jeff, thank you -- it will have to be when the weather warms up as my garage is not heated.
i'm still trying to sort out the door glass saga--- if it really is that big of a deal or not .Lawrence

 

[4spdragtop]

Looks great Lawrence!! Big puzzles can be challenging but fun!! Enjoy

 

[gpreston57]

Very nice job!

 

[VDART]

surprise something was done to the car!! I know it's not much but it is progress!!