Year One Customer Car Show
1969 Dart
I originally purchased my ‘69 Dodge Dart GT convertible in 1992. At the time, the paint work was around six years old. The original interior was pretty clean, but sun bleached. The top was a bit ragged. In general, the car was complete, but needed detailing.
The car was originally purchased (in ‘69) with the 273 2-bbl/TorqueFlite (shift on the column) transmission combination (one of 501). Other options included an AM radio and power steering. The color combination struck me as unusual. It’s an F5 green exterior with black bench seat interior and white top. When I bought the car in ‘92, it was equipped with a ‘69 vintage 340 V8, 727A automatic transmission and 8-3/4 Sure-Grip rear with 3.23:1 gears.
Over the years, I’ve done lots of detailing, added a new top, and more recently, top hydraulics. I’ve also installed a new interior (front and rear), carpets, underhood detailing, and some subtle performance upgrades (such as 3.91 gears, a "purple shaft" camshaft, Mopar Performance intake manifold and electronic ignition, and an Edelbrock Performer carburetor. I enjoy showing the car, but more importantly, I enjoy driving it as often as possible. I also occasionally race it. With the narrow Goodyear Eagle STs, it has done a best of 14.003 @ 97.9 mph in the quarter mile. With some carburetor adjustments and better rubber in the year, I should be able to do mid-13s.
I’m quite proud of the car. Although it looks stock, it’s quicker than stock. The 340 V8 looks as though it originally came with the car and with the hood closed, you’d never know that it is anything but stock. Only the ‘70 vintage Ralleye wheels are "incorrect". Despite the rough life it leads (long periods of sitting followed by heavy use and racing), it has never failed me. I’ve had zero mechanical failures in my six years of ownership. It’s a record that any slant six or Japanese car would be proud of. Now if I could only do something about its gas mileage...
Thanks for your consideration,
Lee Herman
