Miller Performance Auto Repair

1965 Dodge Dart Restoration

This car has lived a very tough life. The owner bought it in 1967 when it had about 28,000 miles on it. His daughter drove the car as a teenager. In 1968 the car was in a flood. The water level reached the center of the head lights (see photo below). The owner removed the interior, hosed the car out and let everything dry out. He also drained the lubricants out and refilled everything. Then the car sat. A year or two later it was flooded again! This time the water level went over the hood. With all of the interior still out of the car it was again washed out. Then it sat for a long time..... until 2005.

When the owner decided it was time to finally put the car back to its former glory he talked to me about restoring it for him. Now, when he started talking about the two floods, the car sitting for nearly 40 years in the garage, I was picturing a block of swiss cheese being brought to the shop. Was I ever suprised! The floors were rock solid and the ONLY body rust was the lower quarter panels. The car was actually very rust free. Even the suspension bolts came loose without any problems.

Once I got into the motor and transmission I was even more suprised. Some moisture had collected in the valve body and rusted a very small pin hole in the seperator plate. That was it! No more rust to be found. The motor was rebuilt with a fresh bore, new pistons, rings, bearing etc. A very mild Lunati cam was installed to kick it up a notch. The front suspension was rebuilt along with the brakes. All new brake and fuel lines were installed (one place that did have rust issues) and the rear end disassembled and cleaned.

This little car is showing 48,000 miles on the odometer and when it is finally started and driven will be just like driving it off the show room floor.

On a side note.... the owner is 83 and anxious to drive it again!