This started out as an innocuous post about this white Dart GTS I spotted at the Cohort and posted by GPoon. Dart GTS convertibles aren’t exactly everyday occurances. But then I tried to figure out what year it was, and I quickly got stumped.Â
The front end is from 1969.
But it’s not a GTS (or GT) grille, which both had much of it blacked out (’69 above). The front fender marker reflectors say “1969” too.
But the round rear marker lights say “1968.
But the back end, the tail lights and brushed aluminum trim all say “1967”. The lack of side trim and the rocker panel trim also say “1967”. But the ’67 also had bright trim on the top of its belt line.
So what we have here is a hybrid. And there’s not much to suggest that it’s an actual GTS, which also had additional GTS badges on its front fenders and trunk lid, stripes on its rear fenders, never mind the two big exhaust pipes from its 340 or 383 V8 (1968 above). This one doesn’t even pretend to have duals.
So as far as we can tell, this may well be…your guess as as good as mine. But it’s not a genuine GTS in any case.
Obviously pieced together. Likely the front clip was replaced, with due to impact or tinworm, at some point. Might have been a resurrection vehicle, still operational but badly dinged fore and aft, and trips to scrounge up serviceable bits form local junk yards, yielded this tri-year mix of dart bits. More power to anyone who cares to keep a car on the road.
+1
Probably rarer nowadays for being a non-GTS, too.
True, I’m more likely to check out a Pontiac Tempest than a GTO because I suspect they are more rare today! (at least at “shows”).
My first reaction was 1967. A good friend teen friend of mine had a 1968 I was familiar with.
I’m pretty sure the 68 had ROUND front turn signals in the grille.
I know the 1968 tail lamps are more substantial (and better looking), with a ‘white’ strip in the middle for the back-up light.
However, the car has the round rear side marker lights that imply 1968.
Is it possible that for some reason, they pulled ahead the side marker lights?
This looks like someone found a 1968 Dart convertible in bad shape (maybe even a junkyard carcass) and tried to bring it back on the cheap. Those quarter panels look like they’re loaded with bondo. I’m guessing the original front end was in sorry shape, too (maybe even missing), so someone found a 1969 Dart GTS front clip and used it, instead.
I’m a little fuzzy on why they would use a 1967 trunk panel, though. Unless, if it was a junkyard rescue, the original trunk was gone, as well as the front end.
This reminds me of looking at what appeared to be a 1968 Barracuda fastback at one of those BHPH lots. It was actually quite a clean car, except it had a complete 1969 doghouse. The sleazy proprietor tried to claim that the reason for the front, rectangular side marker reflectors and rear, round illuminated ones was that it was a midyear car. It was almost plausible, considering that the 1968 Mustang did, indeed, have front side marker lights and rear quarter panel reflectors (of two styles, yet).
The best hybrid Dart I ever saw was a ‘1971’ 340 convertible. It was so well done you’d swear it was the real deal.
My first car was a white ’63 Dart assembled from different Darts in the junkyard, including a push-button TorqueFlite replacing the three-on-the-tree manual. I called my car the Hodge Podge Dodge.
“Hodge Podge Dodge” is officially my favorite line of the week? +1?
Ah Darts! Had, in 1971, the severely plane Jane Plymouth Valient version circa 1964. 2 door post slant six, column shift 3 speed. The Dart part was the 340 4 speed drive train we (friend and I) stuck in it one weekend. Got the drive train from an at the time late model wrecked Dart. Modified nothing else except tell tale dual exhaust. Dog dish hubcaps on 14 inch wheels with beauty rings. Fantastic sleeper, and lots of fun! Lost photos in a move or three or four, a long time ago, sadly.
Ah, memories of life in the cheap lane. Who knows how many times this Dart may have been repaired with any salvage part that would fit in the almost 50 years of it’s existence. Actually a bit surprising to see that a few Valiant parts didn’t find their way into whatever year Dart this started out as.
My ’71 Electra 225 had a ’71 taillight on the left and a ’72 taillight on the left. (due to an accident). I wonder how many drivers behind me thought it was a factory screw up! (the louvers on the trunk I.D. it as a ’71 to the in the know).
Search You Tube for Johnny Cash’ ONE PIECE AT A TIME! About working at a Cadillac assembly plant. You’ll smile,!
+1?!
I had a 1993 ford Tempo with a Topaz rear on it. (cheapo accident repair)
At least those following you would think you sprung for the upscale version ?!
Best guess is a 68. I doubt anyone would add the round side marker on the quarters, if you were why not make it match the 69 front clip (which has obviously been swapped). As for the 67 tail lights ?? Maybe the owner likes them or they are replacing broken originals.
Anyway you look at it there aren’t many 67-9 Dart convertibles around.
Yeah, I’d cut the guy a little slack on his low-cost restoration efforts, particularly if the car would have otherwise been crushed or left to rot in a field somewhere. It’s noteworthy that he stuck with OEM steelies and dog-dishes which, alone, is enough to give him a pass.
As to the 1967 taillights and trunk trim panel, it’s worth noting that it appears it has a ’67 bumper, too. You can tell because the ’68-’69 Darts had their back-up lights moved to the taillights and this one looks like it has back-up lights in the bumper. It looks to have a replacement top since the OEM tops had a plastic rear window, and this one looks to be glass.
In fact, with all the bondo in the quarters, I’d go so far as to suggest this car was in a wreck that not only crunched the front end, but bent up the rear, as well. At least he was able to get it back to driveable (maybe even a daily-driver) condition.
I can assure you those are not OEM steel wheels. Dart convertibles of this generation were always the top two tiers of trim; these look like what the 1969 “A13” 440 Darts had (made with help from Hurst and Grand-Spaulding Dodge. Similar in concept to the Chevrolet COPO cars, but not exactly factory built).
The 68 GTS had small caps standard. The GT had full covers standard.
The steelies are what made me read this article first today. Very nice! It looks like the rears are widened or reversed.
Good catch on the different wheel offsets and yet another weird anomaly. Since those old A-bodies had a smaller 4″ bolt pattern for the wheels, the deeper rear wheels are probably atypical rims from another car. Considering the other apparent cost-saving measures, I can’t imagine this guy going to the expense of having a pair of wheels custom-made for the car, not to mention why he’d want that kind of an offset which would seem to push the tires ‘out’ towards the fender.
Again, back to this being a found wreck or heap, and the guy’s piecing it back together as best/cheaply as he can.
I would bet this car has at least late 5×4.5 discs on the front.
A low buck enthusiast assembled a car out of available parts. It is full of imperfections and blemishes.The numbers most likely (gasp!) don’t match.
Who friggin’ cares?
The car is a runner and the owner is out enjoying it.
What’s not to like?
+1
Totally agree! The valuations on numbers-matching Hemis are crazy. These cars were meant to be enjoyed – what’s the point of a trailer queen? The fact it is a survivor with a few bruises adds to its character – kudos to the owner for keeping it alive. The stories this car could tell…
My thoughts, exactly! I appreciate Paul’s observations of the various model years involved, but in the end I would gladly drive the wheels off it. Since it’s not pristine there are no worries about rock chips, door dings, etc.
The first car I remember my dad having was a ’68 Dart, which perhaps resulted in the soft spot I have always had for 67-68-69 Dart style.
I’m a believer in the (admittedly weird today) concrpt that cars are to be driven! I would never decide on a classic car based on “investment” value. If it’s not a one of a kind historic vehicle, or even better if it’s rescued from the crusher, Then enjoy it! I prefer stock, but these “off year” body parts don’t “bother” me a bit. People have been putting ’59 Caddy “boob” taillights on ’60-’61 Chevys since 1960! I hop this dude is enjoying his Dodge!?
Trying to pin down the exact year of the Chevy and GMC Advance Design series trucks found on the road poses similar questions. There weren’t many changes from year to year in the first place, and then partial restorations result in parts from different years being used.
Look closely at the driver’s side rear fender—I can’t say with any certainty that there is or was a side marker light there. Could this be a 1967 with a ’68 right rear fender and a ’69 front clip?
I saw what looks like some work being done on the driver’s side quarter panel, too, right where the side marker light would go. I guess it’s possible the guy decided to go to the trouble of sticking a couple of ’68 rear marker lights into a ’67 car.
And it does make a little sense, too, since the ’69 rear rectangular reflectors would be harder to install and line-up, and it might not have looked as good to leave the quarter panels bare while the ’69 front reflectors have the reflectors.
Clearly someone at Dodge Main or Belvedere decided to get a Dart convertible by the Johnny Cash method.
But seriously, But seriously, someone had a wrecked ’67 Dart convert and a ’69 sedan or hardtop that was starting to look parts-car-ish. Not sure about the ’69 rear sidelights tho.
I thought of this song, too
So, how many Americans (mostly men, I assume) of a certain age will carry with them to the grave, the knowledge that 1968 Mopar cars have round side marker lights, and ’69’s have rectangular lights? I suspect the number is higher than the number of us who can remember where we left our keys or reading glasses …
Count me as one who remembers the ’68 round side markers.
Not quite. ’68s have round sidemarker lights (except Chrysler with square front and round rear, and Imperial with square front and rear), no reflectors. ’69s have rectangular sidemarker reflectors, no lights.
The law requirement was for lights and/or reflectors from 1/1/68 to 12/31/69. Starting 1/1/70, the requirement changed to lights and reflectors.
As always, the CC literati come through – thanks for the update! I don’t think we had any Imperials and not many Chryslers in my town. I think my 11-12 year old (my age then) observations were based on the prevalence of Dodge and especially Plymouth fleet cars in those days.
if it makes the owners day to get behind the wheel that is all that counts !
+1?!
I really like the mixability of A-body parts. Here’s the South African ’70 Valiant station wagon: an Australian VE-VF-VG (’67-’70) Valiant wagon body with a US ’70 Dart front clip:
The anti-‘Mannix’ Dart….
That front sheetmetal was used in Australia on the 68 VE model, hard to believe it didnt appear until 69 in the US.
That front sheetmetal was first used on the ’67 US/Canada Dodge Dart and (with minor detail changes) the ’67 Australian VE Valiant.
Another way to pick a 1967 from the 68/69 models are the windshield and rear window mouldings, the 67 models used the cheap fake chrome and rubber mouldings.
From 68 onwards they used a new rubber seal with a proper stainless steel trim piece, a much nicer way to finish this area.
Even with that I’m sure the updated mouldings could be fitted to 1967 models to further confuse the issue.
This one looks to be a 68 as much as I can tell.
Man those old Dart’s and Valiant’s sure are ugly cars. On top of that they drive just as horrible as they look. Durable but butt ugly.
Another Parts Bin Special ! .
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I see it has California tags, not surprising as there are many Mo-Par enthusiasts here who often build the *exact* car they want by this mix N’ match method and why not ? .
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I do it too though not usually as thoroughly as this one was done .
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Hopefully it has Wagon brakes and torsion bars along with the best Slant 6 ever available…
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I was wondering of those lumpy looking rear 1/4 panels were bondo filled or just my crappy monitor .
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I’m not Rag Top guy but this looks like a good one to me .
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-Nate
I agree with most that there is too much going on with this one to say for sure. Normally I would let that right rear quarter panel dictate my answer, but its not like convertible quarter panels were ever all that common, so who knows.
It is hard to find production numbers on these, but there were under 2500 Dart convertibles made in 1969. I doubt 67-68 figures were much higher.
Great point about the scarcity of late sixties’ Dart convertibles. Someone might make repop Dart hardtop quarter panels but I doubt convertible sheetmetal is available, so even if this guy had the cash to do a proper restorations, he simply had no choice but to make do with what he had.
I’ve always wanted to put a Dart front clip (preferably ’63) on the front of a ’64/65 Barracuda. Or even a ’65 valiant (ok, that was factory in Canada). For while in the
’80s I had a V8 Barracuda where the v8 and stick were removed in favor of a ’64 225 and push-button torqueflight. That would have been the candidate, but instead I sold everything (Darts and Studebakers, except my ’64 Sedan driver) to go to Architecture School. Not likely to find one now (tho’ I have a set of ’63/64 fenders I don’t need, so I’m ready)!
Nate mentioned that it has California tags. The letter combination “TCA” also appears to be from the approximately correct timeframe for this Dart as a new car in 1967 or maybe 1968. My family owned a late 1967 car with California plates “URX…” and a 1968 with “VXC…” Letter combinations did vary some in different regions of the state.
Could this be an original owner car? In California, the license plates stay with the car in many changes of ownership, but what are the chances that it would have been sold and bought over a half century with the same plates?
Photos were taken early on a Sunday at a Lowe’s hardware store in Northern California, just after the store opened…perhaps that reflects upon the “character” of its owner.
’68 rear, ’69 front.