Everyone loves a good car story, and here's your chance to be a part of one. Read on:
I work at a rather large Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram dealership in Southern Illinois. One of the many small perks of this job is taking the chance every day to walk the wholesale lot to check out the interesting older trade-in cars that arrive and depart quietly, most often without much fanfare.
However, on occasion, the glimmer of a chrome bumper or the black canvas of a convertible top (see my other listing for the low-mileage 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible) catches the eye and warrants a closer look. That's what happened with this car, and as so often as is the case, that closer look led to bringing her home. I am nothing if not a hopeless romantic when it comes to classic cars. Some people rescue puppies and kittens. Me? The thought of this motor finding her way to an urban "Buy Here, Pay Here" lot where she would almost certainly be butchered and abused, fitted with some horrid 22" wheels and eventually wrapped around a telephone pole or left to rot when the new owner couldn't figure out how to replace the rapidly-worn front end components that his "customizations" had accelerated left me unable to sleep at night. So, I decided to investigate further.
The story as I have been told it by the salesman who took the car in on trade, and that I have supported by the available evidence, is this: The previous owner purchased the car in 1981, with a total mileage of 40,xxx according to the title that came with the car. The car was driven very little in the 30 plus years that the gentleman owned it, but he had recently begun to bring the car up to a respectable state. As the project went on, the gentleman decided to instead focus his finances on something more modern, and contacted our dealership regarding the purchase of a new 2013 Dodge Dart. The new car was delivered to his home on a flatbed truck, and the '74 was collected and brought back to the dealership where I became aware of it. I'm am also told that not too few a tear was shed by the gentleman as the car he had owned for 32 years made its way down the road.
Sometime during his ownership, the car had a Ziebart undercoating done, so the car exhibits very solid underpinnings. The previous owner began to repair the car back to roadworthy condition, starting with repairing the sill rot that is common on these cars. There is evidence that other semi-professional body repairs were undertaken, presumably with the idea of removing and stopping any rust appearance. The car appears to have had an "Earl Scheib" level respray at some point in what I believe is a GM (60's-70's Chevy Impala?) orangey-red.
However, where the most time/attention/money was spent was in the driveline and suspension. The car is currently showing 54,138 miles after driving it to work and back today (74.8 miles), and I absolutely believe that these are the genuine miles. The transmission (original standard-duty Torqueflite 3 speed automatic) was rebuilt about 2000 miles ago, and the engine (which according to the "E44" stamp on the build tag is the 230HP 2 barrel 318 c.i. V8) has been tuned up and starts, idles and runs smooth, strong and just plain brilliantly, even up to 100mph (professional driver on a closed course, of course). Most impressive, though, is the ride quality. All four corners have had the suspension components replaced, and the car simply glides down the road in quiet comfort. If you're looking for the ultimate daily-driver classic MoPar, I think you really would be hard-pressed to find a better one.
When I say "daily driver", I mean just that. If you're looking to purchase a solid car that can be hopped in and driven at a moment's notice, here's your ride. I've proved this to myself by driving over 800 miles in the car in the last month. No leaks, no drips, no noises apart from the quiet rumble of that gorgeous 318. I've replaced the fluids (engine, transmission, rear end and coolant) as a matter of precaution, though apart from the engine oil, none of them showed any signs of age or consumption.
Where the car does need help is the interior, though the present state certainly hasn't kept the family and I from enjoying a good few cruises in the car. The dash is cracked and the seats are tired, but the car is certainly in "drivable restoration" condition. The car originally was copper with a black vinyl top, and would look fantastic in that livery once again.
However, as Bob Dylan said, "Times, they are a-changin'", and so it goes with my time with the car. I purchased the car to save her from the certain doom of the wholesale lot, but I have a two car garage with a convertible, a classic, a motorcycle and the wife's minivan. I can't justify keeping her out of selfishness or greed, so I've decided to try to find her a good home to go to. To prove my desire to see her with someone who deserves such a sweet ride, I've decided to list the car for my absolute bottom-dollar price, and start the auction with no reserve. To assure you of how awesome this car drives, I will deliver it for gas money plus mileage (via driving the car @ $0.40/mile) within 500 miles of St. Louis, Missouri.
This car in this condition is worth what I am asking for it. I know it is certainly not perfect, which is why I'm not asking more. But, as the base for a full restoration, it'll be pretty hard to beat.
I welcome questions from genuinely interested buyers. I also welcome accurate information/correction from persons more knowledgable than myself about the car.
I am an honest seller, so please be an honest bidder so we don't waste your or my time. Happy bidding!
Dodge Dart for Sale
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Fri, 05 Sep 2014
There's an evergreen debate among auto enthusiasts about whether they would prefer to have the latest and greatest car of today or a certified classic from yesteryear. What if you had to further define that, though, and the choice was between a brand new 2015 Subaru Legacy or a turbocharged Datsun 240Z with a hatch that wouldn't close? Roadkill aimed to find out that and more in one of its best videos to date.
According to the hosts, Subaru came to them, handed over some money and challenged Roadkill's project cars against its latest Legacy. The result is every bit as good (or better) than any automotive-themed show you could find on television.
Things start simple with a figure-eight race in a rodeo arena with the Subaru taking on Roadkill's 1968 Ford Ranchero, originally built for ice racing. From there the Legacy races a 1968 Dodge Charger with no windows around and off-road rally stage. Finally, the Subie goes head-to-head against the Rotsun, the aforementioned turbocharged 240Z, through an abandoned neighborhood. Plus, there's a bonus drag race challenging them all.
Fri, Apr 10 2015
The Autoblog team recently returned from wildly running around the Javits Center to cover all the news and debuts at the New York Auto Show. Sometimes, it's nice to take a more serene look at the exhibition floor, though, and the event's organizers are providing that exact opportunity by flying a drone through the hall. Combined with the down-tempo music, this clip feels like a form of automotive meditation. If you're going to miss the show in the Big Apple, the drone also provides a good overview at the exhibition floor, especially at the stands from Lexus, Buick, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and BMW. Plus, it's a fun way to see some vehicles from a completely different angle than they ever appear on the road. Related Video: News Source: New York International Auto Show via YouTube Auto News New York Auto Show BMW Buick Dodge Honda Lexus Mercedes-Benz Toyota Videos drone 2015 ny auto show
Thu, 17 Apr 2014
Meet the refreshed 2015 Dodge Charger; notice anything different? You would have to be pretty farsighted to miss the sedan's new Dart-like nose, and it's likely going to be quite polarizing to the car's fans. Gone are the previous furrowed, aggressive headlights in favor of a wider, friendlier look.
While the more rounded headlights and narrower grille are going to be the first thing most people notice, Dodge claims its designers have made changes to nearly every panel on the Charger. The hood dips down deeper at the front, and the doors show off a more angled version of the car's shoulder blister. LED running lights and taillights are standard on all models, and SXT and RT trims get LED foglights. Even though the front might not be as intimidating, Dodge has hung onto the sedan's muscular stance with angular contours making up the rest of the redesign.
Under the hood is the same engine range you've come to know over recent years. Both the 5.7-liter V8 and the 3.6-liter V6 return for 2015, with the Hemi making 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, and the standard Pentestar outputting 292 hp and 260 lb-ft. All models are now equipped with Chrysler's TorqueFlight eight-speed automatic as standard. Fuel economy for V8 Chargers is predicted at 16 miles per gallon city and 25 mpg highway, compared to 15 mpg / 25 mpg last year with a five-speed automatic. All models also come with electric power steering, and the axles are cast from aluminum to save weight.