1967 Dodge Dart

Car show draws auto enthusiasts to East Muskingum Park

MARIETTA - East Muskingum Park in Marietta was lined Sunday with nearly 100 rare or collectible vehicles for the 19th annual Bill Drayer Memorial Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show.

Always held on Father's Day, the event has become a popular stop each year for many fathers and sons, including Jim Tidd, 48, of Reno, and his son, Ethan, 21.

"We come here every year on Father's Day," Jim Tidd said. "We like anything with wheels that's old or fast."

Jim said he and his son enjoy turning wrenches together. They're currently working on fixing up an old Dodge pickup and a 1970 Dodge Dart. They said going to car shows not only gives them ideas, but hope that their projects will someday shine, too.

Cars in the show were not judged; instead the event was used as a fundraiser for the Marietta Noon Lions Club, with the money going to their sight-saving activities in the community. Each year the club raises around $20,000 to help the elderly and children of the area gain access to much-needed eyecare and glasses.

Rob Ersch, 43, of Marietta, and his son, Aaron, 14, were looking for a 1970 Dodge Dart.

"I think we're going to put one together and that'll be his first car," Rob Ersch said.

The dad noted the car will be a little better than his first car, a 1976 Ford Pinto that he doesn't miss.

"I drove that thing until the wheels fell off and then I think it went to the junk yard," he said.

Currently, the father and son are working on restoring a 1967 Ford Galaxy 500. That one is for Dad.

"I might let him drive it, someday," he said.

Any highway-operable car was allowed to enter the show. The types of vehicles on display ranged from a stylish 2008 Saturn Sky convertible to a basic, but sharp 1950 Ford pickup. The participants paid a $10 fee to enter their cars in the show, and each entrant was entered into a raffle for door prizes.

Clint Holley, Marietta Noon Lions Club vice-president, said attendance at the car show was down some from last year, where nearly 150 cars lined the park under near-perfect skies.

"I think the threat of weather hurt us some, especially with the folks who travel a ways to get here," he said. "Many of these guys don't like these cars to get wet at all."

Although cloudy, rains held off during the show, which began around 11 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m.

In addition to the car show, the Noon Lions Club sponsors several fundraising events in the area, including an invitational track meet at Don Drumm Field.

Inherited 1967 Dodge Dart - info welcome! - AACA Forums

My Daddy just inherited an automatic on the column 1967 Dodge Dart (I think 225 Slant Six) that only has 89,586 original miles on it from my Great Aunt Mary who died at the young age of 103 a few weeks ago. Daddy helped her buy this car brand new in 1967 from one of the Darlington, SC sales, and before she died she said she wanted him to have it. I was looking around at it this morning in the old shed where it has been parked for 6 years, not running or anything, and it's in great shape. The body is perfectly straight with no accidents (she literally only drove the thing once a week to town to get groceries because she lived next door to her church) and just a ding or two on the chrome that looks great. It's a white 4 door, and the interior still looks brand new except for a couple of spots where mice got in and gnawed on the headliner. I know we need to drop the gas tank and boil it out. How hard is that to do? I've restored a 1964 Plymouth Valiant convertible before so I know a good bit about these cars, but I never dropped the tank on mine before. I know we better boil the radiator and of course replace the fuel pump, rebuild the carburetor, replace the belt and hoses... but any advice is welcome. I'm excited to get to work on this car because it's in such good shape! Good score! Those cars are pretty much bullet proof with the 225 slant six. I would suggest a new transmission filter and fluid, too. The gas tank is fairly easy to remove and re-install. Best to take as much gas out as possible before attempting removal because they are really heavy and unwieldy with gas in them. Remove the gas tank ground strap clip on the line and line, the filler pipe and then the straps below. For gaskets or even a new tank (if that one is bad), you can go to "Year One". They have all of the parts, I believe. Don't forget the little clip on the line when re-installing or your fuel gauge won't work. Transmission filter is fairly easy, too. You raise the car to get enough room for your arms and a big pan. Loosen the pan bolts on the bottom of the transmission pan. Leave one in "finger tight" on one corner. Remove all of the other bolts starting with the farthest away from the finger tight one. The pan will have to be pried off CAREFULLY with a screwdriver. Gently drop the pan on the loose corner and drain the fluid while slowly removing the last pan bolt. Remove the last bolt and the pan. You will see three screws that go into the filter.

Dodge Dart and Plymouth Duster

The Complete Book of Dodge and Plymouth Muscle

Dodge and Plymouth Muscle Car 1964-2000

Motor City Muscle, High-Powered History of the American Muscle Car

Standard catalog of American cars, 1946-1975