Gillis keeps Dart on point

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This article was published 28/07/2023 (979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s a rumble from the V8 engine, as the bright blue 1976 Dodge Dart Sport backs down the driveway with Grant Gillis at the wheel, on his way to the next show and shine in Brandon.

Gillis became the second owner of the 1976 Dodge Dart Sport two-door coupe about 30 years ago, when it arrived in the Wheat City from Edmonton.

“I still talk with the original owner. He bought it to drive it hard and he did that for a little while, and even though he may have driven it reasonably hard, he also looked after it,” Gillis said.

And so does Gillis, who said whatever he owns, he likes to take good care, and keep it in the best condition that he can.

“I know it’s only going to be original once and older things deteriorate, so if you don’t look after them, they deteriorate pretty quickly,” Gillis said.

When asked if he is a fastidious type of person, described as someone who appreciates accuracy and pays attention to detail, he laughed and added: “I suppose I am, but I don’t like to admit it.”

The Dodge Dart Sport was in production in Michigan from 1966 to 1976, with its 360-cubic-inch, four-barrel carburetor and V8 engine.

In a Chrysler Motors Corporation brochure from 1975, standard items for the Sport included a front ashtray, an outside left mirror, three-spoke steering wheel and two-speed electric windshield washers.

The special edition Sport, like Gillis’, has power steering and brakes, vinyl front bucket seats, a dashboard with a wood-grained instrument panel and a cigarette lighter.

The trim package with the taped stripe that follows the contour of the car was available in black, silver or red.

Only the 1976 model had amber-coloured front-turn signal lenses, and on the rear bumper, there are two tail lamps on each side with a chrome trim, which are many of attributes that Gillis likes.

Before the Sport was the Swinger, the Scamp and the Demon, but that one was short-lived because of complaints about the name and the logo of a devil with a pitchfork.

In 1973, the Demon was renamed the Dart Sport.

“I always liked Dodge, and they have several good makes and models. Actually, I liked the Dodge Swinger, which was a few years before, around 1970. But when this one became available, I went for it,” Gillis said.

In 1976, the Dart Sport went up against a Chevrolet Corvette and Pontiac Trans Am and attained a top speed of 121.6 mph (195.7 km/h), which was second to the Corvette’s 124.5 mph (200.4 km/h), according to Car & Driver magazine.

It’s got about 240 horsepower, which is not a huge amount. But it’s not a European sports car, and Dodges have a reputation of being pretty good at going in a straight line real quick. It may not win many races, but it’s still a nice vehicle to drive on the highway,” Gillis said.

The Sport is not Gillis’ daily drive. That’s why the odometer only reads 77,000 miles, racked up from local show and shines plus a few trips to Saskatchewan and North Dakota.

For the past 15 years, Gillis has been involved in raising money for charity through the Memory Lane Car Club by hosting an annual car show and barbecue.

The latest was held Thursday at Brandon’s Heritage Co-op, which donated the food to help the car enthusiasts raise money for the pediatric ward at Brandon Regional Health Centre.

“One hundred per cent of the money raised will go to the hospital,” Gillis said.

Besides the fact that the members are raising money for “such a good cause,” Gillis said it’s fun to get together with the others to talk cars, and answer spectator’s questions.

“I’ve been offered a bit of money for it, but it’s still not sold,” Gillis said as he chuckled. “You know, the only problem is, if I sell it, I would want to buy something else. I suppose that change could be fun, but you kind of get kind of get accustomed to it, and I think I would have a hard time getting rid of it right now.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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