Rolando Zapata

I recently met up with Leif Spencer and his 1965 Dodge Dart GT at a recent car show hosted by the Town of Lloyd PBA with the proceeds going to needy families in the Highland area.
Leif Spencer, a Veteran and retired Police Sergeant from the Hudson Valley enjoys supporting local charities and events. He also enjoys being around car enthusiasts like himself. Leif’s ride is a 1965 Dodge Dart GT that he has owned for 8 years. The 1965 Dodge Dart is a third generation of Darts. Dodge first introduced the Dart as a production car in 1960. Leif told me that the car was bought at auction after being ruined by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. He told me that he did a total rebuild, with complete restoration to the engine, transmission, rear-end, interior, and wiring. The Dart GT sports a 318 Cubic inch engine with a 3-speed automatic transmission, it has its original Dodge Yellow paint scheme and vinyl roof. Leif says that his Dodge Dart is mostly stock.
I asked Leif what his favorite and worst moments with his car were, he told me anytime that he is cruising in it is his favorite moment with his car. His worst moment was when his ignition failed, and the car had to be towed. Leif’s favorite music to cruise with is 70’s music and his best cruising buddy is his son Nathan, who also loves classic cars. Leif’s first car was a 1969 Volkswagen Bug and his dream car is a Dodge Hellcat.
1965 Dodge Dart GT Specifications: 18,000 V8 Dodge Dart Gt built, Wheelbase 111 inches, Length 196 inches, Width 70.8 inches, Curb Weight 3020 lbs, 0-60 mph – 9.2 seconds
What was happening in 1965: Lyndon B. Johnson is the 36th President of the United States, the war in Vietnam continues to worsen, 3,500 United States Marines arrive in South Vietnam becoming the first American combat troops in Vietnam. Race Riots Break Out In Watts, California leaving large parts of the city burnt and looted and 34 dead, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. leads civil rights march in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery, The Voting Rights Act, guaranteeing African Americans the right to vote becomes law, The Sound of Music was the top grossing movie, Wooly Bully, by Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs was the top selling song.