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Steve Neill
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
Anyone else look at this and see some old Hakosuka in there?

[farm4.static.flickr.com]

[farm2.static.flickr.com]
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MushyHeirloom
05/09/09

@Steve Neill: Oh no! Look out, little Skyline! That excavator's gonna eat you!
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A strolling player
05/09/09

@Steve Neill: If you mean to ask if I see some Dart in those pictures, then yes, absolutely.

I miss the days when the Japanese were copying American designs and not vice versa...
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Novaload
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
MoPar loves those weird angles--look at the rear pillar. Also the body-length creases and the vestigal fins. Plus the strong family resemblance in the tail lights and nose.
You won't find that in your modern jelly beans and sh*tboxes. Can't we have some good mileage AND style?
I walk through the parking deck at work and I swear, the only different amongst the new jelly beans are maybe the tail light shape. They could all be clones.
Oh, wait. They are, really.
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Ursen
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
The slant six was not only durable, but incredibly easy to work on. First starter I ever changed on a car was my 74 Dodge Dart, using only a 1/2" box wrench, a pair of pliers, and a pair of vice grips out in the middle of nowhere West Virginia on a trip. Took just under 30 mins. Wouldn't begin to try that on our PT Loser.
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Dis[Con]cordian
05/09/09

@Ursen: That's funny -- I always thought the PT might replace the Dart as the dork mobile that gained coolness over time.

It sounds like there may not be too many PTs on the road in ten years though.
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MushyHeirloom
05/09/09

@Dis[Con]cordian: I'd say Neon, myself, at least the pre-crosshair-grille versions.

Pity that all of them are either regularly autocrossed or owned by obese single mothers with no concept of "cleaning the car".
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.357
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
Very nice Dart. And it's a member of the Slant Six club, which means it's even better.
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Cognitive Friction
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
Awesome "Slant Six Club" sticker. I just Googled SSCOA and was only able to find a regional club in NY/NJ...anyone know if there is still a national org? Or at least an IL/WI chapter?

Here is my "proof of membership":

62,000 original miles on my 1975 Dart Swinger.
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MushyHeirloom
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
You mean "the former". Much better to keep it around than just have it pass through.

Great car, too. I love the "GT" emblem. Definitely one of the leading contenders for Jalopnik Diecast.
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Xargs: LeMonaider
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
Dammit Murilee, come on over to Oakland and shoot my buddy's '62 Lancer GT! Originally alloy-blocked, it's Exner-tastic, with push-button auto and death dealing drum brakes. You know you want to.
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Tier 5 Jalop, the King
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
Soo....Murilee hopes it's a visitor rather than newcomer. Means that She wants it to go away.

This must be one sh*tty car then, but really that bad?
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mechimike
05/09/09

@Manic King of Corinthia: I think he just wants the parking spot. MM loves old Chryslers.
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Stranger than most
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
first not fist
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Mobius
05/09/09

@Stranger then most: Saying that could get you banned.

Oh, now I see. :)
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Serious Mopar Jones- Incurable
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
YAY!!

Just needs dogdishes and the half-vinyl roof to be perfect.. the '66 Dart is one of my favorite A-bodies.

I used to drive my '70 Dart Custom around Portland and feel like king shit- until I met the kid down the block with the '66 GT.. I was Sherwood Green with envy.
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Franzouse
05/09/09

@Exner built my hotrod: I was Sherwood Green with envy.

This is why we love you man
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A strolling player
05/09/09

@Exner built my hotrod: Nice. Like driving your MGB around town when Bernard shows up with a Sunbeam Alpine. British Racing Green with envy.
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jduffy13
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
This car looks great and ready for action.

Anyone here drive one of these and what was the experience like?
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Serious Mopar Jones- Incurable
05/09/09

@jduffy13: I've never driven a '66, but I owned a '70 and a '73; I can't imagine they'd be that much different..

They had Plen-T-O'Play power steering, Dynamic Marshmallow power brakes, ample body roll, and the slant-6 will give you a top speed of 120 in just under 20 miles.. but, they (and the 727 and 904 trannies) will take all manner of abuse for decades at a time, which should be the goal of automotive engineering, as I see it.

(Note: I've never driven a Falcon or Nova, but I'd guess the driving experience would be much the same. It was the '60s after all)
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jduffy13
05/09/09

@Exner built my hotrod:

Hey thanks for the info. Great stuff.

I have a real appreciation for these older cars that might not have been best in class but are seriously built to just keep going and going and going.

Durability has a certain appeal that is hard to quantify unless you're an owner. I'm that way with old Volvos.
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Novaload
05/09/09

@Exner built my hotrod: My recollection of these guys--the smaller MoPars and Falcons--very stripped down versions of their big brothers. Lighter, scarier, stiffer ride. The baby Novas were more brick-like. Those little Chunkies have almost all vanished and most never made hot rod status because, I think, they were eclipsed by the soon-to-come models.
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mechimike
05/09/09

@jduffy13: There's a reason why I have both B18/B20 Volvo-powered cars and /6 Dodge powered cars in my stable. They will always run. Funny, but there seem to be quite a few old Mopar/ Old Volvo fans. I guess we appreciate quality engineering!
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Serious Mopar Jones- Incurable
05/09/09

@jduffy13: @mechimike:

Yeah, I'm another Mopar/Volvo guy- the 2.1 /2.3 4-bangers (and the trannies) are also bulletproof.. I think of the 240 as a Swedish Dart.

I'm sure the other 4s in that engine family are the same (Irv Gordon is working on 3 million miles with his '66 1800S, after all), but the 240 is my only firsthand experience. "Coincidentally" (I doubt it), those are slant-fours.
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tonyola
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
What a nice find, but where's the rust? Does the air in Alameda have some rustproofing pollutant in it? Having owned a Duster in Cocoa Beach, Florida, I'm amazed at this.
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Syrax
05/09/09

@tonyola: Er...Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California.
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tonyola
05/09/09

@Syrax: Yes, I can read, thank you, but I'm still astonished. I also know from experience that Chrysler compacts rusted with a vengeance whenever the relative humidity rises above 30 percent. This car must have spent its life in the desert.
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Syrax
05/09/09

@tonyola: It's probably a climate thing due to the Bay Area unique geographic nature.
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Mobius
05/09/09

@tonyola: "Does the air in Alameda have some rustproofing pollutant in it?"

It's the Magical Mist of Murilee.
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MushyHeirloom
05/09/09

@Mobius_1: What's in that mist? Never mind, don't tell me.
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A strolling player
05/09/09

@FuzzyPussycow: Vinyl offgas, mostly, and a bit of starter fluid.
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Franzouse
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
Love the plain black wheels and GT emblem...

Am I weird for finding this car wayyyy cooler than any Corvette or Camaro?
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Paul Y. don't drive too fast.
05/09/09

@franzouse, weekend jalop...: Not in the least bit.
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mechimike
05/09/09

@franzouse, weekend jalop...: No, friend, you're normal here. I've had a 63 and 64, and I love the simple, clean, angular lines of these cars. Plus, the 225 cu in 30 degree slanted engine has been shown to be capable of 1,000 HP
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steelwheels: an eeror in every psot!
05/09/09

In reply to 1966 Dodge Dart GT
Slant Six Club of America. Way to represent! A man should be proud of his slant. I suppose.
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MushyHeirloom
05/09/09

@steelwheels: an eeror in every psot!: Why had I never hearted you?
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A strolling player
05/09/09

@steelwheels: an eeror in every psot!: Nice! ♥!
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MushyHeirloom
12/24/08

In reply to 1971 Plymouth Scamp
Damn, that's pretty. And it was a compact! Amazing.

Are those the factory hubcaps? Because they're perfect for it.
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