Works in Progress
1963 Dodge 330
"Bones" Jarrett Nielsen writes:
This is my '63 330 4dr. I bought it for $750.00 from an old man that didn't want it anymore.
It is 100% stock and not one piece is missing. It has the original 318 poly and the three speed pushbutton torqueflight with just under 250,000 miles on it.
The mods that I have done are the vintage aluminum slots, a Stromberg model WW carb, and a cherry bomb muffler.
I have a 440 Interceptor engine in the works with out of a '68 Fury police car; it has 912 heads and a forged crank. I will convert it to a six pack intake.
My goal is to build a car using '60's backyard racing technology, I hope to have a sleeper from the nether regions when I am done.
Update May 2001
I had to rethink the big-block idea and decided to rod out the poly. A Weiand intake and a Holley racing perfomance 650 and fresh heads made a big dif from the original iron intake and Stromberg WW. I'll see what else I can do with the lower end!
I did swap out a suregrip rear from a 1969 Dart, so no more tapered shafts. (woo hoo!) It is also two inches narrower. We all know what that means.
The car is currently getting stripped down for a complete paint job, while it is in the paint booth, I will rebuild the engine and trans.
Update January 2002
White's Speed in Cicero NY finished the millwork, and a fine job they did! It is nice and clean and has been a dream going back together.
The body is in North Carolina having the paint and body work done. My good friend Scott Walker is doing the honors.
Beyond that, a rebuild on the tranny, new covers for the seats and a few custom mods for the engine and it will all come together!
I am planning to have Racer Brown grind me a camshaft, and I'll add a hidden electronic ignition, put in an electric fan and waterpump. I also happened upon a P/S pump and knuckle out of a 1965 Coronet, so power steering is in the works, (after all it is a Family Car).
This is the car getting ready to go to the body shop.
A week later there was 3 feet of snow on the ground!
Update May 19, 2007
Unfortunately I have nothing new to report other than I have to go pick up the car as my painter did nothing with it since I took it to him in 2002.
Many moves and many deployments have left it in pretty sad shape, but I have not lost anything. On my next move the car is going to Oregon my hometown and a paint and body man that I have known for years!
Contact Bones at this e-mail: bones AT britironrebels.com (replace the AT with @ and delete the blank spaces)
Thanks, Bones!
You'll have one great "sleeper" when you are finished.
If the original guy that sold you the Dodge is still kicking, give him a ride when you have the big block between the Dodge's fenders! :-)
Thanks for keeping us posted. Re the updates, as your decision reflects, the Poly 318 is getting noticed once again for the great engine it is! Woken up with better breathing abilities, it scoots pretty well!
And yes, this restoration stuff take times, and patience. 
Gary H.
July 1, 2000; May 27, 2001; January 9, 2002; May 19, 2007
