In 1969, much of the Dodge noise in the performance scene came from the Charger and Super Bee, both mid-size automobiles. Sometimes overlooked is that you could also get a Dart equipped as a street racer, too, the GT Sport (also known as the GTS). Using the same hardtop body as the Swinger, the GTS saw fewer assemblies than either the Charger or Super Bee and are perhaps seen less today. This one from 1969 has a 383 cubic inch V8 and 4-speed manual transmission, neither original but period correct for the Dart. Located in Norwich, New York, this compact muscle car is available here on eBay where the price of poker is on the rise: $35,900 is the current bid, the reserve is unmet, and the Buy It Now price is $57,500.
We understand that only about 6,300 Dart GT Sports were built in 1969 (though offered since 1967). The seller indicates that no more than 500 of them may have come with the 383/4-speed combination (the 340 was likely the most popular choice given the relatively light weight of the car). If the 330 horses that the 383 produced weren’t enough, a few were sold with the 440 V8 and a handful with the 426 Hemi, either of which would truly be rare finds in the 21st Century.
The seller’s Dodge comes with paperwork to back it up, such as the build sheet, and has lived in New York pretty much all its life. We’re told it’s been “restored as a daily driver”, but that might be a stretch as to what the term means. Though it only has 41,500 miles, both the engine and transmission have been replaced with the former being treated to some further performance upgrades such as the camshaft, headers, and exhaust.
We’re not sure if any of the “restoration” applies to the body and interior. The dark green paint looks nice enough, though the driver’s side rear quarter panel seems to be a shade off. And the vinyl top has started to crack and will need replacing. In the passenger compartment, the upholstery on the bucket seats (that’s how the GTS came) looks different than the back seat, so they’ve likely been redone, And the black carpeting may be due for replacement. For reasons unknown, there are two photos shared of another GTS in a lighter green that needs work. We assume it’s a different car and not this one in a former life. So why include them?
The last two pictures are probably the car before it was painted. The code on this car is F3, which matches these pictures. I think it is now F8 dark green metallic. Shame.
I too like F3 green much better. But F8 green is all the rage with its resurrection on the current Dodge Charger and Challenger.
I like the F8, but it’s one more step away from original.
This doesn’t look much like F8 green to me. Maybe part of it is and part of it is not, looking at the mismatched panels. Will be interesting to see what this driver-quality (definitely not restoration quality) BB a-body will go for.
Well, bidding is quickly approaching 40 grand so it’s close enough!
Wow cool Dart GTS 383. OK ..Now the nitpick… BIN $57,000 .. exhaust not in the back with the chrome tips. Why? You put the exhaust in finish it! Vinyl roof cracking. When you painted the Dart you could put a new top on. Also the steering wheel is cracked. The shift somehow doesn’t look right. The paint looks shades off from different panels I wonder what type of body work was done ? In my opinion this is a $25,000 vehicle. The seller wants almost $60,000 he should have finished the vehicle then he would have gotten the money he put into it. Sorry for the rant when I see things like this it really irks me. And I love Mopars. 🐻
Seems as though everyone is focused on the paint. This is what I spotted as being incorrect. The Rally Wheels. Those 1st arrived in 1970. Many people put these in earlier models, and they look the part, but they are incorrect. Correct wheels are plain steel with either full wheel covers or dog dish hub caps. Are those included.
Boys and Girls, I would prefer a 340 4-speed car. That big block, no power steering makes for a poor handling car. If you feel the need for the big block, go for it. I also prefer the convertible. Think this car has potential but I’m going to pass.
@Kent I 100% agree. It’s a novel thing that many people are not aware of that you could get a Dart with the factory 383. But to really exploit the weight advantage of an A body car, a high winding 340 is the way to go. This is a nice car, and keeps an original theme even with the mods it has. But I’d take a 340 Swinger with the 4 speed over it any day.
BTW, I don’t mind the 5 on 4 Rallye wheels either and they do look nice here. But it’s true that you give up some of original sleeper value of a Dart with them.
Having owned a 68 GTS a 69 swinger 340 and a 69 GTS 340 4spd convertible I can assure you that Rallye wheels were available in 69 both my 69’s had them it has the wrong center caps those are 70 center caps there’s no external emblems color is mismatched and seats look best really dull interior nice call on the 383 or other big blocks they couldn’t get any traction 340 4spd way to go
70 rallye wheels had the light Argent cone-type centers. 71 had the dark Argent cone-type. 71-up had the light Argent nut type centers. If wheel were factory on a 69, (which they were not as far as I have ever known and I have owned 100 or more cars in my time driving)n then what does a factory 69 center cap look like and what is the finish? Unless you bought your Darts new, or have a build sheet that specifies the rallye wheel, than I’d bet someone put them on there prior to your ownership. Can’t say that Chrysler may not have for certain, I’d just have to see the proof in that.
Here’s my 68 GT. With a built 440.
Why anyone would not rebuild and upgrade the original engine and transmission makes no sense. If the originals còme with the car, that’s great. Otherwise, forget it.
I agree here’s the write up on my car before I bought it.This Dart GT is equipped with a 440ci V8 mated to a built Torqueflite 727 automatic transmission. This car was completely restored by a Mopar collector. This was a factory GT with bucket seats, headrests and console. The original 318 was replaced by a 1972 440ci V8 bored 30 over and balanced. The engine build includes TRW 10:1 pistons, steel crank, six pack rods, Sig Erson high flow 2 cam, hydraulic lifters, roller rockers, 440 Source Stealth aluminum heads, M1 intake, and Holley 850 Carb. The engine bay was cleaned up and wire tucked with hidden hood hinges. Ceramic headers and custom dual exhaust, shift kit, slap stick shifer, power steering with Firm Feel state 2 steering box, and disc brakes. Rear end is rebuilt 8 and three quarters Sure-Grip 489 case with 3.91 gears.
Front suspension is all new with Poly bushings and sway bar, sub-frame connectors, Caltracs traction bars. New gas tandk, electric fuel pump and brake lines. All new upholstery and dash pad.
Factory console tack and restored instrument cluster. AAR six pack hood. Rear wheel wells were widened with factory look to fit the 265 Hoosier Pro Street Radials. Oh and it’s pretty fast !
Yes, the paint is definitely mismatched! So are a lot of these low mileage, one owner, all original vehicles that i see listed.
The rear end is much darker than the front on the driver’s side.
I don’t understand how folks doesn’t see this?
Perhaps someone sees potential in it and plans to repaint it?
I’m not interested anyway, just rambling.
Just my oponion!
Someone may have stolen the motor and transmission for a different project thinking that the dark GTS wasn’t worth the same as say the charger or Roadrunner they ended up in. Just my guess
Very very nice ride except no a/c not for me
I’m to old for the heat.
IF it is not a numbers matching car and no ac , you can forget 30,000.00 you will never return your money if you try and sell it
It’s a 4speed who couldn’t have fun driving that
To Russ.. I wrote a nice comment earlier today on this GTS. And now it’s gone. This is not the first time this happened to me. I would like to know why? 😲🐻🇺🇸
Write to the admins of the page, BB.
Thanks..
Yes, the paint is definitely mismatched! So are a lot of these low mileage, one owner, all original vehicles that i see listed.
The rear end is much darker than the front on the driver’s side.
I don’t understand how folks doesn’t see this?
Perhaps someone sees potential in it and plans to repaint it?
I’m not interested anyway, just rambling.
Just my oponion!
Only 640 Darts came with the 440 and only 80 were Hemi powered.I have only seen a few 383 Darts in person,back in the early 90’s.one of the rarer mopars out there…
There were no Hemi Darts made in 69. That was 68 for the Dart and Barracuda super stock cars, and they were cross ram race pieces. There were no 440 Darts made in 68, only 69. You could get Mr. Norm to shoehorn a 440 in an a-body if you paid for it, but that is dealer installed. They claim that is where Chrysler got proved wrong about sticking 440’s in the Darts and why they were only offered as a factory option in 69.
Back 35+ years ago, I looked at a 69 Dart with a 440 engine. Back then numbers car was not that big a deal to most and were not bringing high values, no internet ect. And the kicker was it ran, needed some work, and believe it or not it was for sale at like $200.00. But this was pre internet, pre numbers thing ect ect. The reason I believe it was original is because a couple of mopar enthusiast from a state over, came and bought it before I really knew about the rarity, maybe they did!
Or what internet there was didn’t have the far-reaching effects of today.
I thought of Joe Mannix when I saw it. Similar,but his was convertible & had a mobile phone in the console.
Also he drove that cuda conv and even a challenger at one point…
Those rally rims were not available until 1970 i know better than you do
Right you are. The center caps of that style were introduced in 1972.
You don’t get it do you.
If it’s not numbers matching, I don’t see how it’s 1 of anything.
My buddy had a 69 Dart Swinger 340 bought new. No Rally wheels available. My brother bought a new 70 Dart Swinger 340 with Rally wheels. I bought a new 71 Demon 340 4speed with Rally wheels.
You can’t claim 1of anything if it’s not original! The front seats look like taxi HD vinyl seats! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
What years did Dodge send 383 factory cars to hurst for a 440?
How many?
727 tach on console
“Numbers Matching” doesn’t carry the weight it used to. The “stupid money” is in the restomods, these days. It takes a VERY SPECIAL numbers matching car to bring in any good money and they’re few and far between.
I don’t know man. Look at the stupid money this one’s bringing in and it’s not numbers matching anything. The interior isn’t that spectacular. The body is in great either. It looks straight but it’s obviously been painted and not only painted but part of it was painted at a different time than the rest of it obviously. Yet it’s to the Moon. Can’t understand why people pay that kind of money for a car like this when they can build one cheaper than that or for that price and have it be their car instead of somebody else’s. I found a $69 GT in my earlier years. Had the 273 Commando V8 with the automatic floor shift center console. Had a vacuum tachometer on the console. Had power steering and power brakes. It was a great little car good little driver but I ended up getting rid of it because I was young and stupid and didn’t know what I had. Or if we only knew then what we know now.
It is a clone car.it probably started life as a 318 or slant six.like anything,only worth what someone is willing to pay.i guess what you’re getting here is just a A- body with a big block,nothing special outside of that.
Almost $60k BIN is absolute insanity for a non-numbers matching Dart. No original engine, with mismatched paint?Who has so much money that they don’t think twice about dropping sixty large on a car that needs a complete restoration? I can’t believe the money muscle cars are bringing in these days, especially mopars. In my own personal and humble opinion, this is a $25k car at most. The interior looks like hammered sh** and the paint doesn’t even match? I’m in the wrong business. There are literally hundreds of other cars I’d rather buy for this kind of coin, and they don’t need anything other than fuel. I just can’t wrap my head around paying almost sixty thousand freaking dollars for this car. People need to stop watching the major classic car auctions and thinking their clapped out Dart is worth Charger or Super Bee money.
When I was a teenager I owned a 67 Coronet R/T with 440 Magnum with torqueflite. A friend of mine had a 1970 Dart Swinger 340 / 4 speed. I never raced him but another of our friends who owned a 70 Chevelle SS 402 / 350 horse did and the Chevelle couldn’t beat the little Dart. Power to weight means a bunch when your drag racing.