This is the way to build them if your goal is pure speed: Take one light but strong 1968 Dodge Dart 2-door post coupe, and add a muscular small block under the hood and a sinister black paint job. The result is a factory-looking bad boy with an awesome power-to-weight ratio and enough street presence to intimidate anything this side of a Hemi. In basic black, this Dart has the look of the industrial-strength Mopars of the early '60s, you know, those showroom-fresh racers with 13:1 compression and 4.56 gears that you could buy directly from the factory. They weren't big on looks, but nothing could touch them on the street and their austere bodywork served as a warning. One look at the simple, straight bodywork and you'll know that someone invested the time to get this one right, and the black is low-key enough to avoid a lot of attention from the local constabulary. Of course, they added that massive hood scoop, which is a signal all by itself, as well as the red bumblebee stripes out back, all of which add up to a very correct high-performance attitude. All the proper badges and emblems were reinstalled, along with a set of hood pins to add some flavor. Inside, this simple Dart gets an upscale bucket seat interior, complete with fresh seat covers in the original style and material. New carpets were fitted at the same time and help to integrate the Hurst shifter on the transmission tunnel. The Dart's dash wasn't big on information, but the original instruments are all functional, augmented by a column-mounted tach and auxiliary gauges under the dash. A new JVC AM/FM/CD stereo slides right into the center of the dash and feeds new speakers in the doors and rear package shelf, with great sounds as long as the engine isn't running hard. A fat wood-rimmed steering wheel with chrome spokes looks like it was lifted directly from the pages of Hot Rod magazine circa 1969, and gives you something substantial to hold on to when you crack the throttle. Sure, you can put a big block in a Dart, but why would you wreck the car's awesome weight distribution and agile handling? The 360 cubic inch small block under the hood makes for a shocking power-to-weight ratio on the street and is such a neat fit that you'd think the factory built it that way. Finned valve covers, Hemi Orange paint on the block, and ceramic-coated long-tube headers give it a performance look, while things like a Holley double-pumper atop a high-rise intake build horsepower. Forget power steering and brakes, they aren't needed in this lightweight, although the TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic and 8.75-inch rear end appear to be built for combat. The floors are spotless, framing a new dual exhaust system, and it just sits perfectly on those factory Rallyes. Staggered BFGs, measuring 195/65/15 up front and 235/60/15 out back, give it a high-performance look. For fun on the street, it's hard to beat a lightweight piece like this Dart. It's just more proof that not all fast cars need a Hemi under the hood. Call today! This vehicle is located in our Charlotte showroom. For more information, please call (704) 598-2130 or toll free (866) 542-8392.
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