[gr8art]

Hi guys; well I finally got my Little "A" body project car home. A 1400 mile round trip to southern California and back was the first step after purchasing the 65' Dart on EBay. I've started looking through the project journals and "hot rodding basics" articles. I know what I want to do with the car; and how I want it to come out right down to the paint scheme, interior, and motor/trans/rear end combo. I've gotton a good start on getting my garage ready and have started aquiring equipment. But ....like any big project.....one tends to view the "whole" instead of the "steps" toward the "whole". Does that make sense? Anyway; I was just wondering where most of you guys "START". This car runs. It has a slant 6 with an automatic (which I plan to sell on EBay) So then; should I pull the motor first; or maybe start the bodywork? Strip the interior.? Or just start taking the fenders; bumpers; glass off for storage? With so much to be done; I suppose I could start with any combination of these........but I couldn't help but wonder about some of you "seasoned veterans" of building hot rods, and what order you usually go in for the sake of organization and convenience? You see; for me this is kind of a "mid life crisis" thing. It is something I have wanted to do for decades; but I want to do it right. So whats your advice? Thanks in advance for any ideas and direction.

[zonk]

If you have some sort of plan in your mind thats a big start,IMO I'd strip it down as far as you want to go,then work from the bottom up.Clean paint under carriage, front and rear suspension,then go on up from there. If your changing motor and trans, and have front fenders off, good time to mock in new setup see how everything going to fit. But it seems like no matter how much you plan, leave subject to change.

[Centerline]

I agree. Disassemble, catalog, clean, and start your rebuilding from the chassis up.

[Henry Highrise]

I see you have already gotten some great advice on getting started. That is a nice looking project car. My advice is take it slow and do not get in a hurry. Take your time and do it right and you will be glad you did.

[Magnus_Jager]

Before you do anything drive it a little if you can. Make sure this really is the car you want to do the work on. Trust me you are far more likely to finish a car you have driven, and developed an attachment to than one you just brought home.

Was any of your round trip driving the car or was it trailered?

[1931 steve]

I agree with Magnus drive the car get a "feel" for it and a "feel" for what you don't like in it. Then start as everyone has stated. Good luck to you and post lots of pictures. Get lots of covered cans that you can store nuts & bolts in as you take the car apart, make sure you label them also.

Steve

[gr8art]

Oh, I agree. I do plan on driving it around a bit. Although it was trailered home; I did drive it onto the trailer and unloaded it. It has a brake problem which I will repair. And I want to get the 220ci slant 6 running perfectly and cleaned up (without too much investment) before advertizing it for sale. I've already made the commitment to this project. I've been looking at (pre 67') Darts for over a year; and this one was the best deal and the best condition. I knew it as soon as I saw it. Finding her after only coming across junk yard "partly there" and "mostly there" Ol' heaps for me was like finding a big gold nugget in a rock quarry. And there is NOTHING missing from her except one hubcap. All the emblems; trim; interior parts......everything. AND the motor was rebuilt 30,000 miles ago. He had all the records and reciepts. Anyways; you get the idea. She's the one!