Restoring cars a family tradition
Gene Gick of Lombard was in middle school when his father approached him about a special project.
He had just purchased a rough 'n' ready 1956 Plymouth and declared if Gene could get it running, he could use it. The job wasn't easy; the engine and transmission had been removed from a previous service and were still stored in the trunk.
Undeterred, Gick went to work and had the car reassembled by his first year of high school. With his appetite whetted, he moved onto something with more style and speed, buying a 1964 Dodge Dart convertible.
Two short years later, he traded it in on a new 1968 Dart GTS powered by a hot 383ci V8. Horsepower-robbing accessories like power steering and power brakes were left off, making the hardtop even hotter.
“It was one of the first in the Chicagoland area,” Gick said. “It was quick and I liked it.”
The leadfoot almost passed on the deal. He had just joined the Army and was set to be shipped out any day; making the payments would be tough.
Luckily, his little sister, Gerre, offered to help out and cover any costs.
Before he left, Gick hopped the Dodge up even more, adding a different camshaft, carburetor and exhaust system. On most nights Gick could be found cruising area suburb streets, looking for some competition.
“It launched right off the (stop) lights,” Gick said. “I didn't lose very often.”
Despite the winning streak, duty called and Gick had to park his street machine for his two years overseas. His proclivity to tinker came in handy; he served as a tank mechanic, wrenching on such mammoth beasts as M48s, M60s and APCs.
Back home, Gick's dad took care of greasing the Dart's mechanicals while his girlfriend (and later wife), Carol, spent many afternoons washing and waxing the vehicle.
Gick returned in 1970 and joyfully resumed to piloting his beloved Dart. Longer trips included heading to Indiana to visit a cousin's farm, while shorter but harder jaunts were had racing at the US30 Dragstrip in Hobart, Indiana.
The fun was plentiful but sadly, fuel was not. Gas prices were rising and the “built-up motor” prevented regular usability, so the Dodge was parked.
Gick hung onto it for 20 years before selling it — “a very foolish move.” Longing for a replacement, Gick purchased this blue 1964 GT convertible in 1999. The vehicle had been bought new by the seller's dad in Clio, Michigan.
“From the first time I saw it, I knew I was going to buy it,” Gick said.
He took it home and promptly began his overhauling work. The wiring was gutted and replaced, along with new floorpans, dashboard and other interior components. The engine was running and only needed minor adjustments.
Gick is thrilled to be back in possession of yet another Mopar and his reasoning can be traced back to those Darts of his youth.
Many summer nights he cruised in them to the Bel Air Drive-In in Cierco, where “everyone wanted to know why I loved Chryslers.”
His response was always the same: “As far as I'm concerned they're better cars and just a bit faster.”
• Share your car's story with Matt Avery at auto@dailyherald.com.