There is no shame in buying a classic that has been restored by another enthusiast. Sometimes circumstances don’t allow a person to tackle a project build, making cars like this 1969 Dodge Dart GTS an ideal option. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty that was restored to its original specifications. It appears to need nothing, making it a turnkey option for the buyer. The seller listed the GTS here on Craigslist in Magnolia, Texas. They set their price at $38,900, so let’s take a look to determine whether that figure is justified.
The seller emphasizes in their listing that this 1969 Dart GTS underwent a recent restoration that returned it to its appearance and specifications per the Fender Tag. This included fresh paint in the correct Code T5 Copper with a Black vinyl top. The vehicle’s overall presentation suggests it has led a sheltered life since the work ended. The paint looks spotless, the vinyl is excellent, and the panels are as straight as an arrow. The restorer commenced their build from sound foundations, with this car’s rust restricted to a few small areas that were addressed with well-executed patches. The vehicle is rock-solid, as verified by the exterior and underside shots. The windshield is new, but the remaining glass is original. I can’t spot any trim shortcomings, and although the wheels are a later addition, they are period-correct.
The seller emphasizes the focus on originality when restoring this Dart, but fails to indicate whether it is numbers-matching. It features a 340ci V8, teamed with a four-speed manual transmission. The 340 produced 275hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, allowing this classic to romp through the ¼-mile in 14.8 seconds. Buyers could order more potent versions of the GTS, but that figure wasn’t considered lacking in 1969. This is where things become slightly confused. The seller describes the 340 as being a standard bore ’69 unit, and the transmission as a correct A-833. They don’t mention originality, admitting that beyond the aftermarket valve covers and headers, this engine inhales via an Edelbrock intake and a Holley 750 carburetor. Reversing those changes is possible if the buyer prefers originality, and contacting the seller may be worthwhile to establish whether this classic is numbers-matching if the future investment potential forms part of your selection criteria. However, this Dart ticks the boxes if the main aim is to slip behind the wheel of a turnkey classic that runs and drives perfectly.
The panels and paint weren’t the only aspects of this Dart to receive attention during the restoration. The seller treated the interior to a complete retrim to recapture its factory appearance. They succeeded because there are no visible aftermarket additions to an interior featuring spotless Black vinyl trim, bucket seats, a console, and an AM radio. It would be fair to consider this immaculate interior as one of the car’s highlights, and it will undoubtedly receive plenty of positive comments from enthusiasts and novices alike.
Dodge produced 6,285 examples of the Dart GTS in 1969. The claim that only 1,022 buyers selected the 340/4-speed drivetrain combination is verifiable from multiple sources, although there is none better than the Galen Govier White Books utilized by the seller. Their price isn’t cheap, but it also isn’t unprecedented. This one appears to need nothing, although there are possible changes to perform if the new owner focuses on originality. However, undertaking them could happen at their leisure, because none will impact the car’s operation and usability. Otherwise, slipping behind the wheel immediately to revel in the driving experience may prove irresistible to many. Do you fall into that category?
The black vinyl roof, stripe delete. Only hint that it’s a rocket is the small badge on the hood. Too cool 😎
Polish those wheels! Good Lord!
Or simply replace them, they’re the only real shortcoming of an otherwise great car. And for a very reasonable asking price.
I like the old slots, but they don’t work with the redlines. Steel wheels with hubcaps would be a better look in my opinion. This would be a fun car to own.
This is a pocket rocket for sure.
Some nits. Is it just me, or does it look like the body, doors and front clip are all different shades of copper, possibly painted at different times?
The redlines don’t really suit this car.
The price isn’t unprecedented, but I don’t think this car will pull it off. A later version Duster can be had for less and be a better ride.
i have painted that color and it is very responsive to reflection and direct light. so it can look very different in places.
i do agree about the redlines. i think raised white letters would have looked better.
she is a beauty but i do think the ask is above the top of what this car can do
I had one same in the color. Fender tag and trunk look like the original color, but the exterior looks too bright, and orange-ish to me. Did they forget to paint the gas cap?
My front fenders didn’t have any scrip on them (can’t make it out), but I believe it had a pentastar badge down low.
Like mention before, that wheel and tire combo is lame.
A very nice car, to be sure. Manual drum brakes and manual steering and it is unclear if there is a sway bar on the front: these items will make for some exciting moments when driving. For $40k there are a lot of other well restored and original cars that will be easier to drive and may include other creature comforts and safety items to inspire confidence while under way. I’m sure they will get their price, but not from me. GLWTS
Unless they removed it during restoration, this car would have come from the factory with a front sway bar.
Almost none of the details on this car are correctly restored. It would need a ton of work, close to a complete re-assembly to be restored to a high (show) standard. It’s a nice driver, but I think by accurately restored (or whatever they said) I think they just meant specs-wise, because they say to the fender tag. Meaning it has a 340, 4-speed, console, etc as it came from the factory.
WAY too much to list, but for one thing almost everything in the engine bay is incorrect, and in front of the radiator, hood latch, etc, it’s all incorrect if we’re talking about the way the factory did it. Not to mention, the paint looks like the wrong color, especially compared to the trunk which might be original paint (?). I don’t think it’s just the lighting making it look wrong, I think it’s wrong. It’s a driver, and IMO, not worth the asking price compared to comparable cars. Though, the prices on these has been rising.
I’m not a Mopar guy, so I can’t tell you about the minutiae,so I will trust that you know what you’re speaking of Chris. I only know that for a decent driver, someone that just wants a cool Dart with a mighty lil’ 340 to cruise the town in, this does look like a pretty solid option. While I personally would restore the engine compartment to look closer to original, and remove the slot mags, there does not seem to be much in the way of known immediate needs. While it may not be concourse correct, it should provide many smiles per mile for the next caretaker. Sometimes these kind of cars can be more fun than worrying about having the correct nuts, bolts and plating. Just sayin’, not every car needs to be restored to how it left the factory to bring someone happiness. Price-wise, not sure, but considering what I see late sixties Darts being sold for, it seems within reason, especially considering this one has three pedals.
then we have the guys who ‘restore’ to something that was never made. I see this SO much w/the bronk (may B just from owning 1) :
perfect gaps, K2 paint, coyote motor, ‘keep goin’…
Every 1’s different (“but this aint me”)…
With this 1 I just see the guy w/button down rolled to below elbow (may B his name or “Sunoco” on left breast), jeans of blue (not blk), reachin for white knobbed 4 speed, (well not here), sittin on blk vinyl, w/a big grin, pre-mullet cut, no hat, may B a gold dot on 1 earlobe… But…
the big grin’n smell of burned rubber in the air, foshoah
WE know these mopar guys. I was for 3, 4 gens of the “dart” i6 wagons only tho (this 3rd gen ’63 – Aspen – Aries K car ’89, 26 yrs ) livery drivin & (early on) ownership.
I love these Darts.
The first thing that caught my eye was the color. I really like it. As to the correctness or color consistency I don’t really think you can judge until you actually see the car in good daylight. This car would be a lot of fun to drive especially with the four speed. That’s all I really care about anyway. Personally, I would rather have a good looking driver with some tasteful modifications than some pristine uber factory correct showpiece garage queen. I won’t even speak to the asking price because I’m not sure anymore what the value really is for cars like this. The ad has one of the most comprehensive disclaimer clauses that I think I’ve ever seen. GLWTS.
As a teenager I owned a 1969 Dart swinger with a slant 6 and have always hoped to one day have a 69 340 4 spd with buckets, beyond that I’m content with any other features. I would not kick this car out of my drive way, I think it is great for my tastes but it is out of my price range. I hope the owner gets his price.
Interesting to compare and contrast the L79 4 Speed 68 Chevelle featured yesterday and this 340 Dart. Both are excellent hi HP small block 4 Speed cars of the era. 25k For the Chevelle, that unfortunately, needs ALOT $$ To come even close to the turnkey driver the dart is. 38k for the Dart is not chump change, but starts to look very worth it for all the heavy lifting that has been done plus it’s a 4 Speed muscle Mopar that will never lose value.