A bullseye is how I describe this 1974 Dodge Dart Swinger 2-door hardtop. I’m not a fan of 95% of vehicles having black wheels today (is that a reality show thing?), but when it comes to plain black steel rims, I love the look, especially on a vintage car like this Dart. The seller has this one listed here on eBay in Danville, Illinois, and the current bid is $1,050, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The Sienna Metallic (brown) paint is hard to beat for a 1970s color, if you didn’t have Avocado Gold Metallic (olive green). The tan vinyl top is the only thing I’d like to see missing here, and it’s new. Otherwise, I think it’s an absolutely perfect look, a throwback to what a lot of us would have done in the late 1970s when we would have gotten this car used and tried to make it look tough. Here’s a fun little ’74 Dart brochure, and a ’74 Dodge lineup brochure.
I’m sure the “new” 2012-2016 Fiat/Dart was a fine car, but it doesn’t exactly jump off the page, cool-design-wise, and make you want to rush down to your Dodge dealer. Or it didn’t for me. I’m sure a few hundred thousand people loved their new Dart, but it basically looks like every other newer vehicle, not that it’s a bad thing. Maybe if they had offered a 2-door coupe… I’d still take this ’74 Dart Swinger. The trunk looks solid, in case you were wondering.
This car looks like it jumped out of a brochure, or an aftermarket parts and accessory catalog for the Dodge Dart. I don’t see a flaw inside or out, but the seller has to be as honest as the day is long, as they mention the paint isn’t show quality. It sure looks like it is, but they concede there are some dust specs, fisheyes, and other flaws, along with some bondo applied over dings. They say it didn’t cover up rust, but if it’s an Illinois car, I’d want to check it out in person if possible.
The seats look absolutely like new, because they are, or at least the material is. Fantastic work, someone poured a lot of time and money into this car. I wonder what their reserve price is? $10,000? Along with the seat covers being new, so are the dash pad and carpet. Maybe a $10k reserve wouldn’t even touch how much the seller has into this car, but that’s often the case.
As clean an engine bay as it gets, this is Dodge’s 318-cu.in. OHV V8 and it’s had some work done: new “head gaskets, timing chain, oil pump, water pump, fuel pump, gas tank and lines. New distributor and all ignition components.” It’s a replacement 318 and is backed by a TorqueFlite 904, a desirable lightweight three-speed automatic. The engine would have had 150 horsepower, but we don’t know what era this 318 is from. This Dart also has new shocks, all new front suspension bushings and parts, new front disc brakes, not to mention headers and a 3″ exhaust system. Wowie! Other than needing to install the heater core and wiper linkage (I’d never drive it in the rain or winter, so I don’t care about those things), this looks like a killer Dart Swinger. Would you change anything about this one?
This car looks like what happens when someone with no money wants to make a hot rod. Stick an ugly hood scoop on grandma’s old Dart, slap a couple ugly stickers on the side, take off the hubcaps and paint the steel wheels black, and yank out the steering wheel and put in one picked up at the junk yard. Voila… embarrassing result.
That’s funny, that’s the exact opposite viewpoint that I have about this car, JDC. Proving yet again that humans are pretty much 50/50 for and/or against everything.
I’m right in the middle. The black wheels don’t bother me (a set of shiny dog dish hubcaps would have to go on, though) but the hood scoop and cheap-o steering wheel would definitely be binned if I owned this. For me, the vinyl top isn’t as attractive as a simple paint job in a light, complimentary color.
Bondo under the paint bugs me. A go-over with a magnet to find out where and how much is essential.
Beyond that, looks like a neat little cruiser. Taking it all the way to suit my taste wouldn’t be difficult at all. I’ll bet the reserve price would be too rich for my blood, however.
When I first saw this car, I kind of rolled my eyes, but then the more I look at it the more I like it.
It does present very well! But I would lose the hood scoop and the decals. The steering wheel I think is a nice upgrade because that’s a factory style Tuff wheel. Small V-8 and dual exhaust is all you really need for a cool cruising without needing to hit the gas stations that often.
Some grandmas did have cool cars. Saw one driving a ‘72 Vette with a 454!
Well, SG,, I’m going to have to side with JDC, this is a car with no clear boundries, I think it would be much better represented for what it really is, grandmas pristine, rarely used V8 Dart. The scoop and lettering are right out of Hazzard County, ( anyone else hear a banjo playing?) and Dodge had some nice original wheels on these. I will agree, humans is the craziest people, and easily remedied here, it’s a really nice find.
I don’t like the hood schnozzle, but the rest is OK. And there’s no way a 318 needs a 3″ exhaust.
Seems like a lot of work has been done Yes the hood scoop has got to go. I would put dodge ralley rims on it. Add a spare tire and a radiator overflow tank!!
Well done Scotty, I couldn’t agree more with your black rim opinion. As far as factory steel rims…they even look god with dirt and a little rust on the right vehicles.
lot going on for just a 318 most of it can be done without.
A perfect example of when less would have been more!
Just add some longer rear spring shackles and air shocks to complete the hillbilly look.
I can’t resist…Let’s not forget the side pipes, do it yourself sunroof, and the tallest wing you can find to put on the back.
I enjoyed looking at the ’74 Dodge brochure. The Challenger gets one small entry, 2nd last before the wagon. The mighty really had fallen by 1974.
Looking at this Dodge, it has a lot going for it. The interior, the door cards, seat, and dash look great. Like Scotty already pointed out, interior jobs are not cheap. I don’t see any rust, which is really a huge plus. As a kid, these, along with just about EVERYTHING else rusted out within a few years. So its a treat to see anything from the 70’s thats all still there. I have always liked the look of plain gloss black factory steel wheels with chrome lug nuts ever since I was a kid. It just has a look of “All business “. A 318 is a great all around engine too. While I may not have gone for the hood scoop, there are certain angles, especially from the side, it looks pretty good. At least to me. If I bought it, I’d leave it. Glad you wrote it up Scotty!!!
By the firewall, looks to be an AC car except missing everything under the hood and interior vents. A questionable scary is, under hood the right side top inner fender well looks to have a plate or patch screwed down just forward of the shock top but runs back to the firewall…….hmmm….why? For a supposedly rust free car, the “patch” and the mentioned bondo area I guess it could be a lot worse. Interior looks great, stickers come off, hood can be changed, it’s really not that bad (ok, lose the vinyl top) considering so many that are rotted to the ground
Joe Dirt’s little brother “fixed” this one up !
oh boy. so much sniping…I kinda like it! I wouldn’t have done it this way, but then Dodge isn’t my thing anyway! Although I learned a healthy respect for a friends 69 Dart! 340 4 bbl 4 speed car, that thing would sh*t and git! Lots of fun to ride in, although you couldn’t really power shift it like a good ol’ Muncie/Hurst combo.
Very clean car. Lose the scoop, add Dodge rally wheels, awesome. I like the color and vinyl roof.