1963 Dodge Dart 170 Station Wagon
Efren writes: My dad bought this 1963 Dodge Dart Station Wagon with a 170 cubic inch slant 6 and three on the tree brand new in April 1963 from Mckeon Dodge in El Paso, Texas.
He then drove straight to the hospital to pick up my mom since she just gave birth to my baby brother who just turned 43. The following year dad drove the family to California for a vacation and one of our stops was the Meteor Crater in Arizona. On this day while we visited the park, a small airplane crashed in the crater so things got crazy. The parking lot was
cleared for a Helicopter landing but since my parents were tending to now seven kids, they could not get to the wagon on time so it remained. I have been told that today, in the park’s museum, a picture showing the events of that day depict a helicopter landing next to the wagon. So I guess the Mopar is famous.
Dad left me this car in 1969. I had a neighbor that used to drive and race 340 Dart Swingers and my inquisitive mechanical gene told me that if that power train fit in those cars, it surely must fit the wagon. The idea of a conversion was born.
This ex-family station wagon affectionately known as Waggy has been restored, upgraded and completely customized. All mechanical and electrical systems are new, new old stock, or rebuilt down to the wheel bearings. Years of research and painstaking acquisition of parts eventually turned out this 100% Mopar custom muscle car with all power train and suspension components bolting in eliminating special fabrication of mounts, brackets or special parts.
Custom interior by Saytr Enterprises, LA, CA features short hair velour seat covers, r v style carpet, real wood door panels w/sound insulation, aircraft style convenience light group, seat belts, tinted glass, hand rubbed interior lacquer paint, Pioneer speakers, am/fm Hi-Power cassette deck with Harada auto antenna, Dart GT dash trim kit, full instrumentation, a Road Runner dash tachometer and rear view mirror, Mopar cruice control, sport steering wheel, power remote control door locks and theft alarm system.
Update 2012: The front seat has now been replaced w/ mid 1980’s Fifth Avenue electric 60/40 leather seats. Rear seat upholstered to match. (I still have original.)
The exterior features Dupont Centari metallic paint w/ hardener & clear coat., gold accents and trim through out, right and left side European Flag style mirrors, heavy chrome bumpers, door guards, halogen headlights and fog lamps.
The engine is a 1970 318 blue print and balanced by Midstate Machine, Santa Maria, CA. Engine components feature TRW .030 over flat top forge pistons, Seal Power Chrome Moley Rings, Clevite engine bearings, Melling Hi-Volume oil pump, Isky Cam, TRW hydraulic lifters and push rods, Mopar Performance dual row timing chain and hardened valve seats w/ 3 angle grind. Holley Street Dominator aluminum intake, Edelbrock 550 cfm 4 barrel carb, Moroso air cleaner, Mopar Performance electronic ignition, Accell 8.8mm ignition wires & Coil, hi-output polished alternator & electronic voltage regulator, new heavy duty radiator, thermostatically
controlled Hayden fan and Holley aluminum valve covers with knock-offs.
The drive train consists of a Hays 10.5 inch competition clutch plate & disk, 4 speed full syncro cast iron short tail gear box, Hurst Competition Plus shifter w/ T handle, custom built and Dynamic balanced oversized drive shaft by Santa Maria Drive Line and 8.75 limited slip differential.
Steering and suspension includes heavy duty torsion bars, performance front and rear anti sway control bars, Moog front suspension and steering components, heavy duty leaf springs by Central Coast Spring, power steering, Gabriel rear air shock, Monroe gas charge front shocks, front disk brakes w/ re-manufactured Kelsey Hayes four piston stainless steel sleeved calipers, dual chamber master brake cylinder and all proportioning valves, 10 inch rear brakes, 2 inch turbo stainless dual exhaust system, Cragar 5 spoke gold center wheels and new Cooper Cobra Radial G/T P235/60 SR 14 rubber.
For all intents, this is an original ownership vehicle. I have the owner’s manual & warranty book along with the original purchase invoice. I also have the original AM radio. Waggy has approximately 29000 miles since restoration and has been garaged for the last 30 years.
If anyone wants to give Waggy a good home contact me and let’s talk!
Contact Efrin at 
or call 805.331.5415
Thanks, Efren!
Cool A body wagon to haul groceries or parts....or just have fun! 
Gary H.
August 16, 2006 - Revised January 28, 2012
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