1965 Dart Lives Again as Lightweight D/Stock Homage

A Special Dart

To us car enthusiasts, our vehicles often come to mean significantly more to us than just means of transportation. But every once in a while, cars become even more than prized possessions. They become members of our families. And that is certainly the case with this 1965 Dodge Dart and its owner, Steve Hinckley, who was given the car as a gift back when he was in high school, nearly four decades ago.

Photos: Hot Rod Network

Part of the Family

Steve's grandmother, Lois Hinckley, is responsible for the start of the heartwarming story behind this Dart. It was back in 1965 when she purchased the '65 Dart to use as her daily driver. After a few years, when it was time for an upgrade, the Dart was handed down to Steve's mom, Jean. And finally, after ten years of driving it around, Jean passed it on to Steve, who was in high school at the time.

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After School Project

Steve began taking the car apart to modify it to his liking almost immediately after getting it all to himself. Nothing was untouched, even the engine. This meant that the car was sidelined for the majority of Steve's time in high school. When he realized he needed the car to be able to get around, he began putting it back together as quickly as he could. 

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D/Stock Inspiration

In the process of rebuilding the 273 engine, he wanted to duplicate the specifications of the factory D/Stock 1966 lightweight Dart racecar. What he ended up with, as a result, was a collage of mismatched parts under the hood, and a car that could never run all that well. But with Steve in need of a vehicle, time was of the essence. Quality, not so much!

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Separated

After driving his project Dart for a few years, it was time for Steve to move on. He was in the process of buying a home. So he sold the Dart to put the money toward the big purchase. The car was sold to a friend of Steve's back in 1991. Which meant that it wasn't entirely out of sight and out of mind. And soon, Steve started regretting selling the Dart.

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Finally Back Home

For the next 15 years, he tried to negotiate a way to buy the car back, while it sat in storage the whole time. And finally, Steve was able to bring his car back home where it belonged. And this time, he decided to treat is to a thorough and complete restoration. In the process, the motor was replaced with a 1979 318 block.

>>Join the conversation about this classic lightweight Dart right here in the Dodge Forum.

5 Years or Rebuilding

Plenty of modification work went into the unit under the hood, and the project as a whole took over 5 years to complete. The 1965 Dodge Dart that started life as a daily driver, has survived multiple generations and stayed in Steve's life. And the beautiful build is worthy of the Dart's sentimental value to the Hinckley family.

>>Join the conversation about this classic lightweight Dart right here in the Dodge Forum.

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