'64 Dodge 330 Street Beater

[Casey429]

I picked up this Dodge when Ollie's had a bunch of Lindberg kits cheap, I think I paid $7.99 for it. I didn't want to build it stock, the only option on this one. I didn't want to do a really shiny build either, that way I didn't really have to stress over getting it all right. So I decided to let my imagination run wild and with some judicious raiding of my parts stash, here's where she sits.

The engine is the kit block and some other bits, but that's about it. Tunnel ram & carbs I think are from a Revell '70 Buick GSX. I made the deep sump oil pan by grafting on another one from a broken spare oil pan. Alternator is from a '69 Charger. I wanted it to look wild so I painted it Lawn-Boy Green with kit heads done in Testors aluminum. Intake and valve covers are Duplicolor chrome, carbs and pan are Testors gold, yellow distributor cap, and a purple oil filter to represent a Royal Purple piece. I drilled the heads for headers that I'll build, just need to see if I can snake them through the chassis or send them out the fenderwells. In my mind, it's a 505 stroker with Indy Cylinder heads and a bunch of other go fast goodies, it'll be thirsty with those dual Holleys. It's backed up by a beefed 727 TorqueFlight.

I kept the chassis pretty simple. Primer with body color overspray, dusted with red oxide primer to mimic surface rust. I'm shooting for a fairly clean original looking car that's been bought on eBay or Craigslist and hopped up. I scratched up some subframe connectors and did the front suspension up to look like its been freshened up and painted. Gloss black k-member and a mix of silvers for the other parts. Eventually, the rear fenderwells and quarters will get caked with rubber.

Same idea for the body. A little primer, a little putty, a few dings, scratches and other assorted blemishes. I removed the trim from the door and left it and the quarter in primer. The passenger rocker was replaced and puttied, but there was racing to do. I was going for the work in progress look. The go fast has been sorted out, and the look good is still in the works. Color is Cummins Beige, close to Tan Poly, a factory color. Who knows, maybe it's had a Maaco repaint at some point.

And a few mockkup shots...front wheels and tires are out of the box, rears are parts box Goodyear cheater slicks and 5 spoke mags. I flipped the front spindles for oil pan ground clearance, and the rear will get shackles. I'm still deciding between a set of old school slapper bars or ladder bars too.

Let me know what you think, and thanks for lookin!

Edited June 20, 2013 by Casey429

[Custom Mike]

Casey, it looks great so far! Sometimes it's best to just do what you want and have fun with it, that's how I've gotten some of my best builds!

[Austin T]

I like the look of it so far.

[my name is nobody]

great start. the rough body treatment looks awesome.

[Pat Minarick]

Cool ideal ,maybe some gray primer over spray on the chassis were the work on the rocker is ?

[slusher]

Killer engine. just an ldea paint the chassis black or grey primer with some weathering. l do agree have fun, keep using your imagination...

[PappyD340]

Very Nice build Casey, I like it!!

[Chris White]

Lov'n it so far

[DumpyDan]

This looks great, keep the pic's coming.

[Wonderbread Kustomz]

Very cool!

[gonzo64nova]

Casey, I think the direction you took this build is great,much more interesting than a straight shiny and done build, not that there is anything wrong with that. lol -Bill

[johnbuzzed]

Very cool- I like it a lot. For traction aids, Mopars of that era made good use of pinion snubbers- they're still popular items.