"1966 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible

Even the name is captivating. The Dodge brand's place and contribution to the international automobile scene is unquestionable. It has a colourful history and has produced some of the world's best loved cars such as the iconic Dodge Charger, that continues to inspire us with its bold masculine looks.

It was indeed surprising to find a Dodge in Malaysia - in this case a Dodge Dart 270 when we met up with its young and dedicated owner, Syed Ibrahim Alsagoff recently at the Charity Vintage and Classic Show at the Royal Selangor Club. An extremely rare make, one of only two in the country. What made the car even more rare is that it was a Factory Right Hand Drive built in Windsor, Canada.

Model and Specifications - It is a 1966 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible. This means it is 45 years old but just look at the condition it is in. However, the car has some interesting story behind it.

His late grandfather personally imported the car in 1966 as a present for his mother's thirteenth birthday, yes thirteen! From then, his mom used the car occasionally on and off, till sometime in the early 1990s, when their then driver accidently put diesel fuel in the tank! To cut the story short, the car was towed home and was never used again till July 2010.

After sitting at home (albeit under a shade) for over 15 years, Syed asked his mom if he could turn the car into a business; restoring and eventually renting her out for weddings, photoshoot, movies, and etc.

Luckily for Syed, his mom said Yes, but with a condition... as long as the money comes his bank account! The icing on the cake was that this exact same car was used by the current DYMM Sultan Ibrahim of Johor during his wedding in 1983! (Scroll down here: www.weddingcar4u.blogspot.com)

Needless to say, 15 months and over Rm40,000 later, Syed is very proud of the results. But, for Syed, it is all a labour of love as he is truely passionate about restoring classic cars.


"I think i was born in the wrong decade", he jokes, much to the delight of the nosey crowd hovering around his car. "I have always loved old cars and wanted a way to restore a classic car to its original condition. All the parts are original and are sourced from around the world through the internet.", he continues as the engine instantly fires up with a single turn of the ignition key. Syed beams proudly as the engine idles smoothly, the engine rumbles ever so quietly and reassuringly, you can't even hear it.

The car is now in great shape. The layout is surprisingly simple and uncongested. The interior plush and comfortable. Everything works like it should, 45 years ago, including the powered convertible soft top. However, he says that the 2.8 litre capacity version is actually the smallest of the lot. The other engines offered for this model are 3.2L and 3.7L (6 cylinder) and 4.5L V8.

Now that the car project has been a total success story, Syed does not mind his car being used for weddings and events. "That's why i painted it white.", he explains. We are in no doubt that the bridal couple will be promised a ride of their life on their day to remember forever.


We would like to thank Syed for his time and commend him for introducing us to his beautiful Dodge Dart 270. Check out www.weddingcar4u.blogspot.com for more of his restoration tips and see what he is working on next!"

What do you think?

PS: Sorry for the "Queen's English" i.e. color is spelt "colour"

Cheers

Syed

_________________
Cars: 1966 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible,
1990 Alfa 164 Twin Spark
1980 BMW 735i 5-speed

http://www.weddingcar4u.blogspot.com/

Good for you Syed!

Hopefully the business is good. Not many Darts running around over there I take it.

CJ

_________________
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

So what is the next project Syed?

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

yeah what's the next project?!?! I feel like a kid again "LET ME SEE LET ME SEE IT!!! I want to see!!"

_________________
'73 Scamp (the girlfriend): 225ci super/6 2BBL conversion (Almost done!)
'90 Subaru, wagon (the wife): H4-cyl 2.2L

1977 Mercedes-Benz 300D, 5cyl diesel(For sale!)

Cool article. No 3.2-litre engine option, though.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Not on the '66 or none for all early darts? I think I read somewhere that 170CID, 198CID and 225CID were offered on the '66 Darts. I could be wrong...

And no money left for ANY project at this time, until I can rent this Dart out to some "Government Cronies" and charge them crazy money LOL... come to think of it again... NO thanks... I wouldn't let them come close to my Dart!

_________________
Cars: 1966 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible,
1990 Alfa 164 Twin Spark
1980 BMW 735i 5-speed

http://www.weddingcar4u.blogspot.com/

The 170 (2.8L) was the base engine from 1960-1969 in North American models. For 1970, in North America only, the base engine was upsized to the 198 (3.2L), which unlike the 170 was built with the same block as the 225. The 170 carried on as basic equipment in export cars past 1969, because many countries outside North America had higher fuel costs and displacement-based vehicle taxation.

Optional engines for the '66 A-bodies were 225 slant-6 (1bbl only) and 273 V8 (2bbl or 4bbl).

The 198 did not exist in 1966.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Nope. The 198 was only used from 70-74,it was the motor designed to replace the 170.Then from 75+ only the 225 which was redesigned with a new head(peanut plug style)and a cast crank.

Beat me to it pilgrim!

Noted with thanks

_________________
Cars: 1966 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible,
1990 Alfa 164 Twin Spark
1980 BMW 735i 5-speed

http://www.weddingcar4u.blogspot.com/

Original article was published here:

http://www.oddsandolds.org/2011/11/30/d ... e/#respond

_________________
Cars: 1966 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible,
1990 Alfa 164 Twin Spark
1980 BMW 735i 5-speed

http://www.weddingcar4u.blogspot.com/

Way to go Syed,i bet you are very proud,drive on.

_________________

DRIVE IT,DON'T HIDE IT