And now for one of my all-time favorites, a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340. Well, almost a favorite as I prefer the ’68 and ’69 versions but that’s simply aesthetics – this one’s close enough! This Dart has an interesting backstory and has only accumulated a claimed 16K miles in its 52-year history. Considered by the seller to be a survivor, this compact Mopar performer is located in Plymouth, Michigan and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $31,100 with the reserve not yet met.
Briefly, the original owner was seventeen when he acquired this car, a gift from his father. It was not his first Dart but an identical replacement as his prior ordered car was damaged in transit. That being the case, the dealership ordered a second one and that car made it home without calamity. The original owner drove it sparingly until 1984 when he parked it and then, according to the seller, “the car gets driven less and less and finally gets forgotten about in the barn” – how in the world does one “forget” about such a car? Anyway, the owner passes in 2005 and the car comes into the possession of his widow. She sells the car to a local resident who after a few years sells it to a collector who then sits on it for thirteen years with the current owner acquiring it in 2020. A Dart Swinger 340 from this era is not that common, but it’s hardly rare either having put up a modest production volume of 13K+ that year.
The star of the show is this Dart’s 275 gross HP, 340 CI V8 engine – a masterful piece. While a big block engine was available in earlier Darts, the 340 motor was the performance cap for ’70. Equipped with a four-speed manual transmission, it is said, “car runs and shifts excellent”. A few observations, the seller mentions that the previous owner changed out the clutch which would seem to indicate some short-term hard use – if the non-documented mileage is to be believed. Also, the original carburetor was replaced with an Edelbrock unit, the original (Carter AVS maybe?) being “lost” by the previous owner. The owner claims that the engine is the original, matching number component and has not been removed from the engine compartment.
The exterior is finished in Hemi Orange and shows well except for the driver’s side quarter panel, just beneath the fuel fill. The finish is listed as mostly original though there have been some spot repairs performed. Some minor rust is detected in the lower fenders and quarters. The ChryCo rally wheels are referenced as reproductions, replacing slotted chrome rims that replaced the original deluxe wheel covers (according to the window sticker) that this Dart originally wore. The presentation, all-in-all, is pretty strong! There are no included images of the underside but we’re told that the floors are perfect with just a light coating of surface rust.
The interior images aren’t too good unless it’s the back seat, carpet, or dash that you’re interested in individually reviewing. An ideal situation would be one that includes the front bench seat, dash/instrument panel, and front floor but alas, that’s not the case here. What’s visible, however, looks fine and the seller sums it all up by saying, “Interior bears original carpet and you can see the wear on the clutch and brake pads is minimal matching a low mile car. Dash is excellent, dash pad has crack in front of driver. Original radio still works. Seats are excellent as is headliner and package tray“.
The accompanying window sticker and ChryCo invoice statement (for the first Dart that met an untimely end) are nice inclusions and this car has sound originality to it. As stated in the listing, this Dodge is not perfect and has some door dings, small dents, scrapes, and a bit of checked paint. I guess my only question is the mileage claim, some service documentation or DMV transfer records would be helpful on that front. What do you think, genuine mileage or maybe not?
If it’s still owned by the original owner there wouldn’t be any DMV transfer records, you would have to go off service records (if any exist) or just an up close inspection, which would tell you a lot. Very nice car regardless, even if restored this looks like it’s worth the money and if it is original it needs to be preserved.
Paid to much no matter the miles
Paragraph two, it’s on its fourth owner.
JO
The seller says he has a Galen Govier report on the car, so it’s what it’s what Galen’s report says it’s supposed to be. The seller couldn’t put it on eBay because of the picture limit, but the seller says he has all the paperwork.
If he’s willing to list the previous owners and their location, there’s no reason to believe the car isn’t what it’s supposed to be. But still do your homework before you bid.
One word of warning: they say car was not stored in a climate controlled environment for a lot of it’s life. There is rust in areas like the cowl that were never painted and under the lap welds where the inner fender panels were spot welded. That will eventually need to be fixed, and now it’s not original.
I restored my 65 Plymouth Belvedere about 20 years ago. The local Mopar Expert taught me a lot, also cost me a lot. My advice: do not go near Mopars unless you do your homework. Big Don, the resident Mopar expert on the 62/65 Mopar Bulletin Board told lots of people “Chevy logic does NOT apply to Mopars.” My body man and the guys on the Bulletin Board kept me from making a lot of expensive mistikes.
Chrysler products were always poor quality but had good drive trains!
I don’t think you would have any noticeable wear patterns on the clutch and brake pedals at 16,000 miles. More like 116,000 but that is still on the low side. Too bad it’s just a 3-speed, most opted for the 4-speed on the 340. About $11,000 over value for this Dart, needing full restoration. Depending on the restorer, restored $35 – $45,000. Not a high option car, but a good street burner if it had the 4-speed, which would be a change from its birth. I don’t even see the front seat belts clips that are on the face of the lower part of the seat. At 16,000 miles I would think they would still be there. Still a nice car.
ad says 4 speed car and build sheet shows 3 speed which was the standard build …so somebody has replaced the transmission exactly as I did with my 70 swinger made it a so much more heavy traffic drive-able car
The window sticker clearly reads:
D21 Manual Transmission-Four Speed $187.90
JO
AAARRRGGGHHH need new glasses
I also read 3- speed, didn’t see the 4- speed on the option list. It was on the fold and my eyes are not as good as they use to be. LOL
No, it’s shows as a option on the Maroney sheet
$32,500 and reserve met.
Way to much money. It needs a lot and it will still be a 25k car at most. Poorly bought.
Gary, this is a auction and it is still going on.
Now it says reserve not met??
You’re right about the carb being AVS. I ordered a new Duster 340 in 1970 just to be different. I was in Navy flight training at the time, and as soon as you got your wings the dealers would finance a car for you. Most of my contemporaries went to the Pensacola Buggy Works…Chevrolet dealer who sold more Corvettes than any other dealer in the world. But I wanted to be different. I’ve had (and still have) several ‘Vettes, but I sure do miss that Duster, it would go like stink!
Yes, 68 – 70 340’s had the AVS and I believe the 71 and up had the Thermoquad carb.
i worked at a new dodge dealer when these were new nick looking car only thing i saw was they all had wheel opening mldgs when new and invoice says mldg group for $25.05 a lot back then and they were part of that package
Absurd price for a Dodge Dart….swinger or not.
In my neighborhood growing up only little old men and little old ladies, drove
Darts. And I don’t think any of the old folks were swingers. lol
You apparently never drove one back in the day. I’ve had two and they will show the taillghts to SS 350 Camaros and 289 Mustangs. The price is high imo, better can be had for much less.
That’s you opinion
Yes , a new Dart was about 2500 dollars and a lot of older people bought them . That was 50 years ago, and they sure didnt buy 340 powered ones. . If this is an unmolested car and mileage can be verified, it will sell for big money
Amen brother. Ma Chryslers priming methods left A LOT to be desired back in the day. They only got a little, and it wasn’t nearly enough.
340 Swingers were no slouch. They could handle their own very easy. Nice car but a bit steep in price, should make someone happy with a little work. You don’t see them like you see many Mustangs and Camaros but this has class in my opinion.
My friend’s sister had a 1969 with the automatic. She drove it like a little old lady so we regularly offered to “blow the carbon out of it “. That was fun. One night we had it quit on us. I found out that the points in the distributor had slipped out of adjustment. Reset them with a matchbook cover and my Buck knife and off we went. Good memories.
I’m not so sure about the story ; with 16k on it and the pedals are worn, and the dealer sticker is baked like its been out in the sun for many years. There’s also an odd tear in the sheet metal on one of the wheel arches , but its been painted over, no rust seen – maybe a cheater panel installed at one time ? The story really doesn’t add up , IMHO
Sold $32,500.
Used to be a thousand dollar car in this shape. I miss those days.
I’ve owned three a bodies, first being a 70 Swinger 340, H code,four speed, 71 Duster 340 four speed and presently I have another 70 Swinger 340 this one having the 727….I’ll be the first to say The 340 were always the quickest car’s around, eating big blocks like they were tied to a tree…they definitely live up to their reputation, 275 hp right off the assembly line, (and that’s on the low side) most were closer to 300…all mine were bone stock and only thing faster was a BUILT 340….Gods honest truth and I’ll take that to my grave, do the math,you’ll find out I ain’t lying….I will say though I miss my four speed…
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