Jim’s 1965 Dodge Dart GT

Jim found this all original 1965 Dodge Dart GT in Florida and brought it back to Rock Hill, South Carolina. The original owner purchased the car in late fall of 1964 and treated the car with care, keeping it in a garage out of the elements when it wasn’t in use. Seventy-three thousand miles later, this Mopar retains it’s originality.

The paint, chrome, trim, glass, and even carpet are the same pieces that were installed while cruising down the assembly line forty-five years ago.

“It’s had a couple of touch up spots here and there over the years” said Jim, “but the original owner has kept it in great shape. I’ve had everything checked by two very qualified mechanics, A to Z, there’s zero wrong with the car.”

“I was intrigued with the car because when I went to buy it the first thing I did was take an ice pick and went through the floors, it’s as solid as can be. Underneath is just as good of shape, no leaks, no damage or rust at all, just as solid as you can get. The underneath part is as solid as the top part.”

When Jim is seated behind the steering wheel at the controls of this Mopar, there are no disappointments there either. ”The steering and everything is tight, the gauges work, the radio works, the air conditioning will freeze you out.  If I didn’t know better, it feels like a brand new 60′s car if you’ve ever had one,” Jim states. “There’s no interruption, no hesitation, no grinding, no crunching, it’s just a great vehicle and very comfortable. My wife enjoys driving it. It’s just a great vehicle and fun to drive. When we take it on some long runs we check it, and on the road it gets 21 miles a gallon.”

What really attracted Jim to this Dodge was the originality. “That’s what I liked about it.” explained Jim. “There’s no speaker holes in the doors, there’s no fog lights that have been put on and taken out. There’s no holes anywhere that don’t belong there.”

And Jim isn’t the only one who is attracted to this first year example of the Dart GT. “We get a lot of attention because I’m thinking there’s not many of them around. We get a lot of lookers cause you don’t see (1965 Dodge Dart GT), plus the gold and the chrome combination that really pops.”

That is one of the features that sets the base line Dart and the Dart GT apart Jim points out. “The GT has the extra trim along the sides and on the roof along with extra GT emblems. The base line Dodge Dart had minimal trim. The GT interior is decked out with the chrome trim and the wooden looking steering wheel and the floor mounted shifter.” Jim said smiling, ”The ’65 was the first year they got away from the push button transmission.”

Since buying the Dodge, Jim has added the custom 14″ Cragar SS wheels matched with a set four BF Goodrich TA’s, just to add a bit of personalization and a little bite to the bark coming from the H system dual exhaust.

Jim said he plans to keep it just the way it is, however he doesn’t know how long that may be his responsibility. “I had two people here (Hot Nights and Cool Rides Car Show) that both want to buy it here. If I were to keep it, I would keep it just like it is.”

Jim was asked “How attached to the ’65 are you?” After thinking it over for a second while gazing at the GT in front of him he replied, “Well, you know, I really love the car, it’s a fantastic car. But, I had more 340′s than I did 273′s, so if a 340 came about, like in a ’69 Dart or something, I’d probably consider.” Jim revealed, “My son is actually looking at one this weekend for me and depending what happens there, will may be tell the story here, if I get rid of this one.”

Classics Feature – 1965 Dodge Dart GT – Jim resides in Rock Hill, South Carolina and is a member of the Rock Hill Cruisers Car Club. Pictures were taken August 15, 2009 at the 18th Annual Hot Nights and Cool Rides Car Show in Forest City, North Carolina.