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1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop #2611115
01/23/19 04:15 PM
01/23/19 04:15 PM
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maximus Offline OP
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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.

Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop [Re: maximus] #2611154
01/23/19 06:07 PM
01/23/19 06:07 PM
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St. Paul , Mn.
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I am no expert , but I would guess that if you are not capable of doing the work yourself , it would be more cost effective to just track down a clean hard top.
Even one that needs work would likely be less hours and $$$.

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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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.
Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop [Re: CMcAllister] #2611208
01/23/19 08:19 PM
01/23/19 08:19 PM
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maximus Offline OP
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Know for a fact at one time an original 68 Hemi Dart had the last foot cut off the quarters to weld on 70/71 quarter ends. This was done so he could run in the newer class back in the day. It was then switched back to the 68 rear during restoration. The car is shown today.

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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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


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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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Originally Posted By maximus
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?

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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Originally Posted By topbrent
Originally Posted By maximus
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
Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop [Re: maximus] #2611508
01/24/19 12:26 PM
01/24/19 12:26 PM
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New York
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HT: pretty
SD: serious


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Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop [Re: maximus] #2611524
01/24/19 12:51 PM
01/24/19 12:51 PM
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So Near, Yet So Far
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Maximus: too much to be worth doing...

Sedan is also structurally stronger than HT, though that may not be a consideration.

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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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. twocents 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.

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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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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
'17 Ram 1500
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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Wasn't this a converted Hemi Dart?

Melvin Yow 1.jpg

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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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Originally Posted By RMCHRGR
Wasn't this a converted Hemi Dart?


Yes it was. Was also the Chrysler Power Magazine test car.


69 GTX 68 Road Runner
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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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!
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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WHY?

Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop [Re: merpar] #2611644
01/24/19 04:31 PM
01/24/19 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted By merpar
WHY?


I ask myself that every day , and all I did was cut up a '65 factory a.c. car. LOL

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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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.
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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Originally Posted By Rhinodart
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
'17 Ram 1500
Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop [Re: RMCHRGR] #2611951
01/25/19 08:40 AM
01/25/19 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted By RMCHRGR
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.




^^^True Muscle there^^^ smoke

Re: 1968 Dart conversion from sedan to hardtop [Re: maximus] #2611961
01/25/19 10:10 AM
01/25/19 10:10 AM
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St.Louis MO
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Ii wouldn't trade mine for a HT.

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