Hello all,
This is my first post here- I've been a B-body guy for several years. I've been looking for an A-body to use as a daily driver for a while. I picked up this Dart for pretty low price knowing it was rough. I'd like some opinions from those in the know as to whether I should keep the good stuff and find a better body or save this one.
Here are the details- this is a pretty highly optioned /6 car. The motor is toast (which is sad, but doesn't concern me much). It has factory disc brakes and a factory 8.75" axle. Originally had the dual hood scoops and wing which are long gone. Needs seat covers, carpet, suspension front to rear (all of which are OK with me).
My big concern is the body work. There is very little rust on the car. The floors, trunk, and underside are absolutely fine. The front fenders are pretty good, but the right front quarter needs a small patch down by the door (not a huge concern):
The main issue is that both rear fenders are creased, and the rear valence is shot. I have a spare valence, but it needs minor work too. The drivers side door is not as bad as the passenger, but I have a spare passenger door in really good shape.
The vinyl top is shot, and some trim is missing but the roof appears solid. Both bumpers are really rusty, but straight. I'm not sure if they can be saved. I have another rear bumper that is better, but still rusty.
Anybody have a comment on the man-hours to fix those rear fenders, the door, and the rust spot? I'm not in a hurry, so finding a better valence and driver's door is possible. I think the body work is more extensive than I anticipated. And body work is the one thing I don't do myself... There's another Dart I'm considering that I could move the brakes and rear into and have a pretty nice running driving car straight off- but it's $4k more than this one was. I'm worried though that I'm most of the way to $4k just in body work here, not to mention headaches...
Thanks for any opinions!
This is my first post here- I've been a B-body guy for several years. I've been looking for an A-body to use as a daily driver for a while. I picked up this Dart for pretty low price knowing it was rough. I'd like some opinions from those in the know as to whether I should keep the good stuff and find a better body or save this one.
Here are the details- this is a pretty highly optioned /6 car. The motor is toast (which is sad, but doesn't concern me much). It has factory disc brakes and a factory 8.75" axle. Originally had the dual hood scoops and wing which are long gone. Needs seat covers, carpet, suspension front to rear (all of which are OK with me).
My big concern is the body work. There is very little rust on the car. The floors, trunk, and underside are absolutely fine. The front fenders are pretty good, but the right front quarter needs a small patch down by the door (not a huge concern):
The main issue is that both rear fenders are creased, and the rear valence is shot. I have a spare valence, but it needs minor work too. The drivers side door is not as bad as the passenger, but I have a spare passenger door in really good shape.
The vinyl top is shot, and some trim is missing but the roof appears solid. Both bumpers are really rusty, but straight. I'm not sure if they can be saved. I have another rear bumper that is better, but still rusty.
Anybody have a comment on the man-hours to fix those rear fenders, the door, and the rust spot? I'm not in a hurry, so finding a better valence and driver's door is possible. I think the body work is more extensive than I anticipated. And body work is the one thing I don't do myself... There's another Dart I'm considering that I could move the brakes and rear into and have a pretty nice running driving car straight off- but it's $4k more than this one was. I'm worried though that I'm most of the way to $4k just in body work here, not to mention headaches...
Thanks for any opinions!
