Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

The early A bodies are red-headed step-children just like '66-7 B bodies. Neat cars, but just don't attract the money and love.

I've owned and raced a '66 Valiant 2 door post car for almost 10 years and even I think they're ugly.

Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

Alan,
Your closer to the car than anyone. So if it's an LO23D62 car, then the
VIN# is proper verification. Even if some posted info states that they were an LP23 (P = Premium), instead of an LO23 (O = Super Stock)
The general resto looks very good (ie; paint and interior).
The problem in selling the car might be, is that a D-Dart expert (not too many out there) might want a perfect or near-perfect D-Dart.
The non-experts (some collectors, out for profit only) might not be completely sure of what they are puchasing.
By the looks of the car, I don't doubt that there was an exhausting effort
put forth. But some of the little things could have been corrected.
Remember, limited production of a vehicle means nothing. It's the
consumer interest that drives the wheels.
I can get my hands on a 68' 340 Cuda (virgin and unre-stored), but I'm not sure I want to go through the time and effort of restoring it, and trying to sell it to make a profit. I know what the market will bear a 68' 340, and as nice as those cars are, I can't make the move. I'll lose money, not including all of the sweat equity.

Paul

Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

The "collector car market" hasn't done any favors for those who just want to buy a car and race it.

The inflated prices that are collected for restored examples only serve to enrichen the restorer (and sometimes the auction company,) and make existing, un-restored cars worth more money, so, when a true hobbyist finds the car he wants to race, or just fix up into a neat street car, it ends up either being financially unattainable, or costs him a lot more than he would have paid, if it were not for "collectors" who use the hobby to make money.

I remember when you could buy all the '57 Chevy 2-door hardtops you wanted for about $200.00 apiece...complete and running. There was no "collector car" market, then...

Try to find one now, to turn into a Super Stocker...

I think it's a shame.

Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

Bill,
The "Shark was Jumped" back in 2006, at Scottsdale, Arizona.
The "Ray Allen" "Briggs Chevrolet", 1970 1/2" SS454 Chevelle,
NHRA SS/EA record holder went for $1,200,000.
The big winners, Ray Allen. And a very nice commision check to
Barrett-Jackson.
The losers, everyone else involved in the Musclecar genre'.
Even Ray Allen was laughing at the way the (2) bidders were going
out-of-control. Barrett-Jackson pushed that bid way over the boundary.
Things really got out-of-control. It seems that now, the market is
leveling out, and maybe soon will be back where it belongs.
As for the D-Dart. Alan, what # car is that. If L023.....888 is the #1 car
(Ted Spehar's) and LO23....937 in Georgia is #50. Then what # is the car being auctioned. Will $30,000 do?
Paul

Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

The last three numbers of the VIN are 933 so it would be #45. Will $30,000 do for what? A down payment? I sold it for close to that ..... in driver condition. The gentleman that I sold it to sunk a lot of money into it.

Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

I would suggest buying all 3rd generation Camaro's, Firebird,Corvette, Monte Carlo ss, Impala's and Fox Chassis Mustang before their prices go up.

Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

I bought a '72 Valiant 4-door sedan... never have to worry about prices!!! :)

Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

I've got plenty of time at BJ auctions; as consignor, buyer and spectator. Some of the games that are played by the auction house deserve a federal indictment. Since I don't want to get sued, that's all I'll say here. But regardless of the auction house, surely most of us here are smart enough to know that a "high bid" is not even necessarily a "real bid". I've been on stage throwing out bids knowing I wont win just for the hell of it with my buddies. All that free liquor does have some influence after awhile, don't ya know! :o

What I see here are a few D-Dart owners hoping to make an ugly duckling popular; something that even mopar couldn't do 40+ years ago. Of course that would help the bottom line. If you really love 'em, go out and race 'em as they were intended. Has anybody contacted mopar to get the cars possibly accepted in Stock with an HP reduction to boot? Same with SS as the cars were intended. Have any of these interested parties petitioned for a HP reduction with NHRA or is it just bantering on the net? If not, get it together, it looks like a no-brainier to me.

Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

Alan,
If you sold it as a driver for around $30,000, and the new owner popped in a ton of money for restoration (let's say $15,000 or so), does that
really make the car worth $45,000???
Is it being marketed as a #45 car with legend information.
It should be, with additional listed details, it may draw more interest.
But please, someone put back the "273 Four-Barrel" emblems back on the upper section of the front fenders.
Install the chrome exterior mirror on the driver side door, and re-attach the small chrome debris-deflector shield on the lower rocker area in front of the back wheels. (The little things).
Paul

Re: '66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction
 

Maybe they could partner-up the D-Dart with lets say a 67' WO-23
Factory Hemi. Both cars on the block individually may struggle, but together a nice package.
Someone go out to Long Island, New York, and search for the WO-23
that was sold out of the Cy Green Dodge dealership. It sits in a
some garage in Massapequa. Un-touched for 40 years. Except for the
Magic Hemi Dust.
PC
OH, Cicero819, Nice Valiant in your contact photo. Is that the Jere' Stahl
Group, 66' Valiant E/SA at York, PA.