Written by Carolyn King

In the early 1970's I was in my late 20's and had never owned a car. I asked my father to keep his eye out and told him I wanted either a Mercedes, a Volvo or a Dodge Dart. In February 1974, I was working in Washington, D.C. My father called me from Grand Forks, North Dakota, and said, "I've found you your car." I replied, "Is it a Mercedes, a Volvo or a Dodge Dart?" He had been walking near his office and found a 1966 Dart 270 Convertible (225 slant six engine) up on blocks. It had been in an accident and wasn't running. I bought it for $150 and paid another $350 to get it on the road. In early June, I returned to North Dakota and picked up my Dart, which had 92,000 miles at that point. The Dart was my only vehicle until 1982, and I drove it coast to coast, north to south and part of Route 66 backwards (Albuquerque to Joplin).

In 1982, I was living back in North Dakota and didn't want to drive the car over the winter, so I found a 1974 4-door Dart that became my "Winter Dart". It only lasted me until 1986. In September 1986, I had a 40th birthday party for me and a 20th birthday party for my Dart, featuring the "Save the Dart" fund. By then, it was in pretty bad shape: holes in the floor, rusty wheel wells, torn roof etc. The next June, I spent $3000 redoing the Dart and it came out looking like a million! But I still needed a winter companion for it. This time, my father found me a 1966 4-door Polara that was the same color as the Dart (turquoise blue). It was a gas hog but I couldn't resist it, so it became "The Dart's Dad." I drove it during the winters until 1994.

In August 1991, when my Dart turned 250,000 miles, I had a group of friends in the car. We pulled over when it turned to 50,000 and had champagne and cake by the side of the road. In 1997 I had a "Dart Vanity Plate Suggestion" Contest and received 137 entries. My top two choices were OBJDART and DART66. I liked OBJDART best but figured it was too obscure for Northern Minnesotans so I picked DART66 because it contains RT 66 within it.

I have a guest book in my glove compartment and anyone who rides in the Dart has to sign it and leave a comment. My favorite one was from my former boss, the late Senator Quentin Burdick (I'd drive him in parades in the Dart). He wrote: "It's real smart to own a Dart." When I'm cruising down the road, guys pull up and ask me if I want to sell my car. My reply? "Buddy, there are only two ways you're going to get this car from me: murder me or marry me." So far, no takers.

I have now switched to Chevy Celebrity wagons and only drive my Dart May-October and mostly around town or within 150 miles of home. Last week, it turned 280,000 miles. For twenty-six years I have been changing the oil (myself) every 2000 miles. I plan to have my Dart as long as I'm here and driving. Along with my dog, it's my best pal. I LOVE my Dart!

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