Suggestions restoring a '70 Dodge Dart?

Question

My dad does stuff for Mopar and I have the opportunity to restore a car. I have chosen a '70 Dodge Dart because I can find one really cheap. My dad is building a Hemi Cuda with over 800hp, perfect competition. Since my Dodge dart is very light putting a 7.2L 440bhp hemi in it will pay off more in the long run. Thing is I don't know the dimensions of the car and the engine and everything else I'm worried about not fitting. How do I know what I can put in it?
All that aside, should I restore it into a Dodge Dart just like it was from the '70s or should I make a hot rod? What will be worth more if I sell it?

Answer 1

Check in Hemmings Auto Trader for the prices of restored vs hot rod. But note that putting a 7.2 In means the car will not be stock anymore. To make it stock you need to check the Vin # to see what engine came in the car from the factory.

Personally I would go for the BIG engine-lots more fun that way!

Answer 2

In 1968 there was a Dodge Dart SS and they crammed a 426 Hemi into it. There was also the Hurst edition in 1968. The 440 was also used.

So you could build a 70 model that is based on these but never made. After all Thunderbolt clones demand a good price when done right, so a well done SS based on the 70 model might too.

But you need to find a Mopar site that will walk you through this modification so that it works and is correct.

GTS Dart 1969 had a 440

In 1970 the 340 was the biggest stock motor.

While the bodies had some changes between 1967 and 1976, the engine bays remained the same. So a 440 should fit. It will be tight, if I remember right, you can't change plugs with out lifting the engine a little to gain access.

Answer 3

I watched a show where they put a 440 magnum in a Dodge dart in order to get it to fit they had to make a custom shortened oil pan so it would clear the front end and they built a custom front end for the car which helped a lot when it came to the suspension components. The work itself was done by SMC aka super muscle car out of southern california and a mopar guru who specialized in mopar. It was a very tight fit for sure I like big blocks too but I gotta tell you unless you want to do a lot of extra fabrication consider the often over looked 340 put that in a dart with a 4 speed and a six pack and you have one bad to the bone dart. that will smoke the tires in all 4 gears. take a look at this website www.hemmings.com this is a website from a old car lovers magazine from way back called hemmings motor news as far as what a dart would be worth a 340 actually came in the dart demon and if your going to build it build it what ever you think is best check hemmings.com and see what is selling people are asking a lot but selling is slow and this is a good time to buy or hang on to what you have. have fun

Answer 4

Whether or not you restore the Dart or turn it into a hot rod is your choice. However, I assure you that performing a correct restoration will bring significantly more money if you look to sell it in the future.

Answer 5

what variety of determination is that? heavily? How do you p.c.. those 2 specific automobiles? sidestep is the main unreliable American vehicle, and VW isn't plenty extra sturdy, and extra costly to maintain. The sidestep Dart is truly an Alfa Romeo Giulietta. i do no longer comprehend if being an Alfa Romeo is extra useful or worse than being a sidestep. annoying call. yet i'm effective the sidestep Dart is extra useful than the common sidestep over the final a number of years. The Jetta you talk of is VW's attempt to make a extra "Americanized" VW. yet you pose an exciting question. VW is typical in what they do, how they attitude their automobiles, their united statesand downs. You style of comprehend what you're getting. The 2013 sidestep Dart is a Fiat/Chrysler combination it truly is very distinctive from the Neon/high quality sidestep had in the past. this is truly an unknown in reliability words. yet i've got heard very good issues on the subject of the driving journey. yet i think of i might purchase the sidestep. extra less costly upkeep, considering that noticeably much each thing else is an unknown at this element and that i comprehend from driving and learning them that i do no longer look after VW's individually. i might like a Ford concentration to the two one nonetheless, ditto Mazda3.

Answer 6

Stock is easier to sell. Although you will spend a lot of time looking for a buyer either way in this economy so if youre not strapped for cash just build it to your hearts content