The car was bought here by its only owners in the early 1980's and was put in storage after the gentleman passed away in 1986. In 1987, the lady walked into my father's mechanical workshop and asked if he could come and have a look at "this old car", to see what it would take to fix it.
My father could not beleive his eyes when he saw it. He didn't know what it was, but as a hot rodder from way back, he could see that it was something special. The car had a blown head gasket and various oil leaks, but nothing too serious. The body was a bit rusty, but repairable. My father suggested that to get the car to a legal standard would cost about $1000 dollars. The lady said that if my father knew anybody that might want to buy it, they could take it away for $1000. Needless to say, my father was off to the bank like a shot and soon returned with the cash.
He spent about another $1000 to get it road legal, then drove it as his everyday car for 3 years.
I met my father (as I was adopted at birth) in 1989. I immediately fell in love with this Dodge, as I was a car nut myself. My father would let me borrow the car on special occasions, but only on the condition that I treated it with much care. I never let him down.
When my father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1993, I decided that I would take it upon myself to restore the Dart to original condition so he could see his "baby" in full glory before he passed away. It was a dream of his to restore it himself, but the sickness took its toll quickly.
Two friends and I spent five months, every night of the week, stripping, sanding, welding, etc., until the car was finished. It was a race against the clock, but the day I drove the Dart to my father's house I will never forget. We had repainted it in the original metallic green and had all the chrome work re-done; the engine had been freshened and the hood replaced. It looked brand new.
My father was speechless. He could not beleive that I had managed to do all of this without him knowing. It was a mission, believe me!! I lifted him from his mobile bed, and against the doctor's advice proceeded to take him for his last cruise. We drove for hours. This day I will never forget. He passed away two weeks after that.
He left the car to me to look after and as long as I`m breathing, this beautiful old girl will never leave my garage, or my family. I drive it every weekend, and wherever I go people comment on it. I am going to the States early next year to try and get some original parts for the car so I can restore it to its best again. I would love to hear from anyone that could help me with this.
The Dart's details are: