When Mom passed away, we decided to keep the car and have it restored. It was an easy job for the restorer because it had zero rust and no body repair work had ever been done. The sheetmetal was straight and bondo free. The church she attended for over 50 years held a memorial for her and we dedicated a stained glass window in her name. Everyone in town knew Mom by her ol' tan Dodge, so we parked the newly restored Dodge in front of the church for all to see. People were astounded and remarked that the new (original) "metallic Champagne Beige Dart" looked like it had just been driven off the showroom floor. I am certain Mom and the Dodge Brothers were looking down with pride!
I am dedicated to fully restoring and upgrading this Dart while keeping its MOPAR integrity. It came with a 318 V8, automatic, small-bolt-pattern hubs and 13"X4" wheels. Not exactly your "handling package." I have replaced the wheels with 14"X6" and retained the "dog dish" hubcaps. Now I am in the process of upgrading to Kelsey-Hayes 4-puck calipers and rotors, adding a stock swaybar and installing new blue-stripe torsion bars. I am gathering all of the correct pieces for a stock 340/275 that is scheduled to be swapped next year. Then will come the addition of an appropriate Suregrip, etc. This MOPAR product has never had the heads off, has never let us down, and has never been towed. I will provide it with the best Dodge had to offer in terms of safety, handling and performance and, all the while, retain the car's dignity and integrity.
Everything works on this car right down to the foot-pump windshield washers and the AM thumbwheel radio. This is a wonderful old car that has served us well. I receive great pleasure whenever I am working on, restoring, or upgrading it and especially when I am driving it. One more faithful MOPAR is preserved for the good of the breed, and to allow future generations to see what great automobiles, ones that were built for the masses, are all about.