My wife and I finally decided last November to buy an old car. We drove all over and test-drove all sorts of cars. Most of the cars we drove were old Chevys like a '61 Bel Air and a '63 Nova. These cars proved to be in terrible shape and were horribly overpriced. I had my heart set on a Chevy but things were looking pretty bad. So in desperation we answered a classified ad for a 1974 Dart Custom. It was the smartest thing we had ever done.
We met with the owner a few days after calling about the car. Upon first glance we knew we had to have it. The car was beautiful with its bright yellow paint and white vinyl roof. It had only 46,000 miles and the interior was also beautiful. However, seeing this car was only the first step. Next, we took it for a test drive and were introduced to the performance and pep of 318 power. True, our car is certainly no muscle car, but we can smoke any of those pathetic 4-cylinder imports on the road today. The car needed new brakes and a new muffler as well as new belts and hoses. (It still had the original ones after almost 24 years!) Also, the first owner had been a short old lady who found that the shoulder belts cut into her neck. So what did she do? She just cut 'em off!
I've done a lot of detailing to the car. I've given it shiny baby-moon hubcaps and beauty rings. It has new tires, new dual exhausts with chrome tips, a gleaming engine which I am still in the process of detailing. I've also repaired a lot of minor electrical problems involving frayed wires and burnt out bulbs. I'm certainly no mechanic and my knowledge of car repair is very limited, but the Dart allows me to learn. Its simplicity is something which I've really come to appreciate, as most cars today require a degree in computer engineering.
I encourage all Dart owners to hang on to their cars. Although the Dart name is often disrespected and belittled, realize that your Dart, in good shape, is slowly climbing in value, and someday will have the same status as 442's, Mustangs, and Chevelles. It will be we, the Dart owners, who shall have the last laugh.