Written by Mark Hepplestone

I live in the UK and our wet climate means most cars rust within 10 years, so American cars that have been imported or came over with GI's in the Second World War are now scrap. I was very lucky to find this Dart that had spent its first 25 years in Arizona and was imported to the UK by a lady who was being deported from the States due to a green card running out. I am informed Arizona law requires seller and vendor to be present at time of sale and as the lady was being deported she was not around for the transaction. The car was driven to LA and shipped at a cost of $1700. During shipment, a lot of stuff was robbed from the car -- also the ladies personal belongings she had put in the trunk!

After seeing the car advertised in a specialist UK American car magazine, the style caught my eye, although I knew nothing of Dodge -- my interest was always in 1967 and '68 Mustangs, having owned a '67 convertible and a '68 fastback. The lady lived down a narrow bendy English country track, not many six lane highways here, and she did not like driving on the wrong side of the road as we drive on the right and she was on her own so did not have the practical knowledge to sort the car out. We agreed on a price which was just below the shipping cost and the car was mine. As it had lived in Arizona the bodywork was in great condition but the sun had burnt many interior parts -- dash pad, defrost vents, rear shelf, etc. All emblems were missing, the side marker lights were gone, the trims were off, and the drivers side seat belt and carpets had perished, etc., etc.

After consulting the web and the Dodge Dart Page vendors list, I found Wildcat Auto Wreckers in Portland, Oregon, and Dr. Mopar in Kyle, Texas, who were brilliant in shipping me all the spares I needed. I have some new parts coming from Jim's Mopar spares a new vinyl roof is planned but at the moment I am enjoying cruising the UK summer and the car drives as well as my new BMW.

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