1968 Dodge Dart GTS

[dsummone]

Starting another car from my previously owned project. 
The Dart was actually the 4th car I owned. My dad was friends with a guy who owned “White Elephant Equipment” back in the 70s, 80s. They sold used heavy equipment and had this GTS that had hit a telephone pole. This was 1984 ish. I bought the car for $500.00 (man I wish I could find one for that price now) I went to the wrecking yard and bought a new hood (non GTS) grill, bumper, radiator and support. I painted the hood black and about the only other thing I did was a new exhaust system and wheels and tires, Crager SS look alikes. 
I will be trying to paint it faded yellow as shown in the picture (not my car just an internet pic) with black interior. The 383 will be the 440 from the kit. 
Got started with some paint and primer yesterday. 
Comments always welcome. 
Dave

[dsummone]

Got some work done on the 383 tonight. 
Trying to figure out how to use the 440 decal on the air cleaner and make the numbers 383… any suggestions would be appreciated. 
Dave. 

[mustang1989]

500 bucks?? WOW!!! Yup.....gone are those days!! I bought my first car, a 1966 Barracuda for 600. Again....gone are those days. Good start up on this Dart Dave.

[David G.]

The engine looks great so far.

David G.

[slusher]

Your off too a good start. Real nice looking engine and a real nice story to go with your build..

[dsummone]

Thanks all!

[dsummone]

Got a lot of painting done today and put the oil pan on the engine and the tranny. 
Started working on the chassis and since I’ve got this engine stand from my Charger build, I thought I’d build out the Hemi from this kit to display. 
Started thinking about building a shop diorama…. My wife’s going to kill me?

Dave. 

[espo]

Great theme for a build. The 383 decals can be found in other MoPar kits. You may have to raid another kit or ask for assistance in the "looking for section" on the forum.  

[dsummone]

Was able to sit down for a couple hours the past couple days and got the 383 ready, plug wires routed, starter motor cable installed and fuel line run. I am going to try to run carb linkage after it’s installed in chassis. 
The display Hemi is coming along, I’ve got an idea for the carb linkage but need to locate some material for that. 
Wheels and tires are ready, tried full coat on the wheels and like the results. 
The interior is about ready, just a couple more items to finish painting and the body is ready for color, but I still need to refine the hood where I filled in the hood scoop hole. 
Thanks for looking, Dave. 

[mustang1989]

Man this is lookin' great so far Dave!! Had some stuff come up at home so I haven't been in here in a couple of days and have I been missing out. Fantastic work so far brother.

[David G.]

You have some excellent detail work going on with those engines.

David G.

[Wolf]

Hi Dave,

These will help for the 383 emblem on the air cleaner. They give you quite a few nice engine compartment data plates as well.

https://rayskits.com/detailupdecals/#uhanchor

Cheers,                                                                                                         

Wolf                    

 

[John B.]

Very nice detail work on the engines!

[dsummone]

4 hours ago, Wolf said:

Hi Dave,

These will help for the 383 emblem on the air cleaner. They give you quite a few nice engine compartment data plates as well.

https://rayskits.com/detailupdecals/#uhanchor

Cheers,                                                                                                         

Wolf                    

 

Thanks so much. 
I modified the 440 decal but I am ordering these tonight. 

[dsummone]

Got the 383 finished and installed, I covered the 440 on the air cleaner but Wolf sent me a link for some cool Mopar decals and I am ordering the correct set, how do I remove the one I installed?

Also finished the interior, it’s ok but a bit plain. I tried my first attempt at BMF on the door panels, have a long way to go at working with that stuff. 
 

And I finished the 426. Made a throttle linkage setup and ran the fuel lines to the carbs. Looks kinda cool on the engine stand. 
 

Thanks for all the input. 
Dave. 

[Wolf]

Nice!
 

Hi Dave.
Good ol’ scotch tape burnished over top the current decal on the air cleaner should make short work of removing the decal. If not that, you could always place the new decal directly over the old one. I’d just make sure they’re the same dimensions so wait until the new ones arrive.

Got to love a big ol’ Hemi eh? Out of curiosity where did you source the alternator mounting bracket for the Hemi? I might need one like that.

Regarding the BMF, yes, it takes a bit of practice to apply. If it’s an older batch it tends to loose it’s ability to stick. If it’s the new ultra bright chrome it’ll take wailing, gnashing of teeth, and lots of cuss words. I have an almost full sheet of the stuff and it’s essentially useless. The only thing it sticks to is the backing paper it came on. I’ll likely have to invest in BMF adhesive to make it work or toss the remainder.

Cheers,     
Wolf

 

Edited May 25, 2022 by Wolf

[David G.]

The chassis and interior look great!

David G.

[slusher]

Really nice clean work on both your engines.  Really neat wiring. Good wheel choice. 
Getting close too having another one of your owned cars finish..

[Keef]

Love the engines! The chassis and interior look amazing as well! Can’t wait to see the rest ?

[dsummone]

Got the body painted. It’s pretty smooth, glossier than I wanted and not quite the color of the original but I kind of like it and may leave it. If so I am going to let it dry and then rub it out and try to BMF the front and rear windows. 
Dave. 

[Zippi]

That looking pretty good.  Great engine detail.

[NOBLNG]

Yes, looking pretty good! I like that yellow.?

[David G.]

Good looking paintwork.

David G.

[Mopar - D]

Nice progress Dave on your Dart. On the 1:1 Dart you owned were the inside fender walls painted black? Mopars from the factory painted them the body color. 

[dsummone]

13 hours ago, Mopar - D said:

Nice progress Dave on your Dart. On the 1:1 Dart you owned were the inside fender walls painted black? Mopars from the factory painted them the body color. 

When I bought mine the front end was smashed in. I replaced the hood, grill, bumper etc… The only paint I had for the hood was black and I sprayed the engine compartment too. 
Interestingly, it had all of the GTS emblems but the only decent hood the wrecking yard had was a plain Dart hood. So on the model I filled in the Hemi hood opening so I didn’t have the GTS hood induction bulges.