Images

General Information

Model Year: 1968	Mileage: 78185
VIN:	Engine Displacement:
Exterior Color: Blue	Transmission: Manual
Interior Color: Black	Location: Mentor, Ohio   44060

Description

Ever heard the story about “the one that got away?” We all have them. It always involves car we woulda shoulda coulda bought but for some reason we didn’t and someone else swooped in and snatched it up. And after the fog of “buyer lunacy” wears off and we start seeing clearly we realize we screwed up big time. This incredibly well done and flat-out gorgeous 1968 Dodge Dart GTS Convertible is just such a car. There’s going to be a big crowd of guys talking about this one getting away after it gets snatched up by a smart buyer.

Some cars are just built for fun and this 1968 Dodge Dart GTS convertible certainly qualifies. It’s not an original GTS but it has been stuffed full of badass small block Mopar muscle and backed with a 4-speed manual—combine that with a top that goes down incredibly attention to detail and a great B5 Blue paint job and you’ve got one heck of a fun summertime cruiser that is a bargain to boot!

Originally a clean Texas GT with a 318 and a column-shifted automatic this car was transformed into a GTS tribute with a big horsepower injection and a color change from bronze to blue. The sheet metal on the car is all original including the floors and trunk and is in excellent condition following a cosmetic restoration. Panel gaps and alignment are acceptable and the prep work on the body panels is above average. The B5 Blue paint that was applied after the body was straight is glossy and bright with a deep shine thanks to the base/clear system used. The builder was shooting for a great driver that could be shown and enjoyed and with that task he was completely successful. The car looks great in the sun and certainly gets more attention than the original nondescript bronze color might have.

Chrome and other bright pieces were re-chromed during the restoration while much of the other trim was properly restored including the beautiful grill and headlight surrounds. Reproduction GTS badges were added at the time of restoration the stainless was polished and all the lenses are clear and undamaged. The 2007-vintage $725.00 convertible top is the correct black leather-grain vinyl and the top features a glass rear window which was unusual for low-priced cars like the Dart. The rest of the glass including the windshield that was replaced in 2007 is in outstanding condition with no damage.

There were some big upgrades under the hood when this car was restored in 2007. As I mentioned it was originally a 318 car so all the proper V8 equipment is present. However power is now supplied by a 1969-vintage 340 that was rebuilt and upgraded when the car was built. Obvious upgrades include an Edelbrock intake manifold and carburetor underneath an original air cleaner with the correct “340 Four Barrel” decals. You’ll also notice the cast aluminum Mopar Performance valve covers and yellow Moroso plug wires for a racy look that takes it pretty far from stock-appearing. However everything is extremely neat and clean the engine is painted (it’s not quite the correct Hemi Orange but it isn’t far off) and everything is highly detailed for a show look. The alternator is new belts and hoses are new and the battery is a correct Group 23 green cap unit. An original-style 26 inch radiator keeps it all cool under the worst of conditions and it’s a strong runner.

The transmission is a 4-speed manual in place of the original Torqueflite automatic and that’s exactly what you want in a hot cruiser like this one. It’s topped by a Hurst shifter which is the ideal companion for that high-winding small block under the hood—bang off perfect shifts and listen to the exhaust roar and the tires bark on the 1-2 shift because in a convertible there’s no insulation between your ears and the action. Wherever necessary bushings and other hardware were replaced and the steering linkage is new. The rest of the undercarriage has been painted black to keep things neat and there’s a true dual exhaust system with Dynomax mufflers. The 8.75-inch rear has been stuffed full of fresh 3.73 gears for potent acceleration in this lightweight package and there are air shocks on the rear axle for fine-tuning chassis dynamics or perhaps for when you want to haul around a carload of friends to the next cruise spot.

The black vinyl interior is as fresh as the rest of the car and shows very little wear. The seats and carpet are recent the dash has been freshened while the gauges are original. The automatic-equipped steering column has been replaced to eliminate any trace of the original slushbox and it is topped by a spectacular NOS wood-grain steering wheel. The original seat belts have been retained while upgraded stereo speakers have taken up residence in the door panels for great summertime cruising. A new top boot covers the folded roof when it’s stowed and matches the black leather-like texture of the convertible top.

Out back the trunk has been properly restored with a new mat. You’ll also note the original floors in the photos of the trunk and our resident Mopar expert tells me that the quarter panels are 100% original steel based on the undercoating on the back sides.

Documentation includes an original owner’s manual and a welcome letter from Robert H. Kline Manager of Service for Dodge in 1968. There are also several decades’ worth of maintenance receipts on the car dating back into the 1970s as well as a detailed ledger that details the date mileage and type of every service the car has had since that time. Receipts for most of the restoration work dated from 2007 are also included.

If you’re looking for a great high-performance cruiser to enjoy this summer take a look at this GTS ragtop tribute. It has all the right ingredients: V8 engine manual transmission and a folding top and is bargain-priced too! YOU COULDN’T BUILD THIS CAR FOR TWICETHE ASKING PRICE.  It’s not pretending to be anything other than what it is: a great warm-weather cruiser that probably has enough performance built into it to surprise a lot of other cars enough room for you and three of your friends and a rock-solid restoration with receipts. We get a lot of cars like this one here at Best of Show and they are unquestionably the ones that sell fastest. The combination of looks performance and price can’t be beaten. Don’t let this one get away!  Call today!

=======================

The MuscleCar Place - Muscle Cars for Sale

Tags:
Stats:

Sponsored Links