Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: maximus]
#2611187
01/23/19 07:40 PM
01/23/19 07:40 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,289 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,289
Fulton County, PA
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After being involved in some restorations, I figured out that premium prices paid for relatively rust free sheetmetal and bodies that need less work is a good investment. Not getting any easier to find, at any price. I would think the project you are suggesting would be major and probably need donor parts from a hardtop car that could have been redone itself.
While on the subject of Darts, anyone ever use a 70 & up hardtop Dart shell, that needs quarters anyway, to build a '68/'69 Dart?
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: maximus]
#2611339
01/24/19 12:15 AM
01/24/19 12:15 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,219 New York
polyspheric
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,219
New York
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If you know anyone really good at this (adapting big panels from a similar car): he might try making a car that may be fictional (although I may have seen a really good fake): 1962 Catalina bubble top
Boffin Emeritus
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: maximus]
#2611400
01/24/19 02:10 AM
01/24/19 02:10 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 793 Utah
topbrent
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 793
Utah
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What would be need to convert a 68-69 Dart from a 2 door post car to a hardtop. I know the roof, windshield and side glass are different. Are the upper quarters different where they meet the roof line? Is the dutchman panel different? I read somewhere the doors are the same if you remove the post? Any input on this. 2 door post cars are cool. Why change it?
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: topbrent]
#2611403
01/24/19 02:23 AM
01/24/19 02:23 AM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,514 Martinsville, IN
cdwmotorsports
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,514
Martinsville, IN
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What would be need to convert a 68-69 Dart from a 2 door post car to a hardtop. I know the roof, windshield and side glass are different. Are the upper quarters different where they meet the roof line? Is the dutchman panel different? I read somewhere the doors are the same if you remove the post? Any input on this. 2 door post cars are cool. Why change it? I’m sure you could find someone to trade you shell for shell. If I had a shell I’d trade ya in a heartbeat for a post car.
eBay-cdwmotorsports
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: topside]
#2611540
01/24/19 01:27 PM
01/24/19 01:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,828 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,828
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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Way too much work. The dutchman panel, rear window area, rear seat area, rear door pillars, trunk reinforcement along with parts you mentioned including the A-pillars would all have to be changed. As said above, use what ya got or get a hardtop. A handful of the original Hemi Darts were converted to 70-up style as mentioned above. You can find 70-up hardtops easier and cheaper than a true 68, just weld the rear tail light panel on, the 68 fenders are the same. Only difference in doors is where the locks are located.
Last edited by Rhinodart; 01/24/19 01:30 PM.
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: maximus]
#2611545
01/24/19 01:43 PM
01/24/19 01:43 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,897 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,897
Spahn Ranch
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Why bother? Like said, just find a hardtop, they're out there. 2 door sedans can be cool if done right though. The one below was for sale a few years ago.
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: maximus]
#2611548
01/24/19 01:45 PM
01/24/19 01:45 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,897 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,897
Spahn Ranch
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Wasn't this a converted Hemi Dart?
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#2611577
01/24/19 02:56 PM
01/24/19 02:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,091 MN
JERICOGTX
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,091
MN
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Wasn't this a converted Hemi Dart? Yes it was. Was also the Chrysler Power Magazine test car.
69 GTX
68 Road Runner
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: JERICOGTX]
#2611619
01/24/19 03:50 PM
01/24/19 03:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,828 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,828
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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I believe it has been restored to 68 trim now.
Last edited by Rhinodart; 01/24/19 03:52 PM.
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: maximus]
#2611637
01/24/19 04:21 PM
01/24/19 04:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 294 Nevada
merpar
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 294
Nevada
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: maximus]
#2611645
01/24/19 04:32 PM
01/24/19 04:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,289 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,289
Fulton County, PA
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To be specific - a person who desires to build a legal Stock or Super Stock '68 or '69 Dart hardtop may be able to find a nicer 70 and up body for less money than a 67, 68 or 69. If the quarter panels need to be replaced anyway, it seems to be a sensible route to take.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop
[Re: Rhinodart]
#2611734
01/24/19 07:02 PM
01/24/19 07:02 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,897 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,897
Spahn Ranch
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I believe it has been restored to 68 trim now. That's almost too bad in a way, might have been cool to see it restored as an early Pro Stock like the above pic instead of your garden variety Hemi Dart over-restoration.
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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