This 1974 Dodge Dart Sport ticks a few crucial boxes for those seeking a classic to park in their garage. It presents quite nicely, with only a few minor rust issues. It runs and drives well, but the seller’s affordable asking price could be the icing on the cake. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Dart listed here on eBay in East Aurora, New York. The seller set their BIN at $8,200 with the option to make an offer.
Dodge launched its Fourth Generation Dart range for the 1967 model year, with the final cars leaving showroom floors in 1976. That’s a fairly long production cycle, although it remained available in Brazil until 1981. The company made a few styling changes for 1974, when our featured Dart Sport left the line. Some were forced upon the company to comply with safety requirements, while others, like the changed taillights, helped to differentiate the 1974 model from its predecessor. Finished in Golden Fawn with contrasting Black stripes and sports wheels, this Dart makes a positive first impression. It isn’t pristine, but most readers will agree that it is presentable. There are no significant paint imperfections, and the panels are straight. There is some bad news, but it isn’t the end of the world. The listing images reveal rust in the lower passenger door, plus a couple of other small, isolated spots. However, the seller states that the floors and trunk pan are rock-solid, allowing the buyer to tackle the problems as time and circumstances allow. The trim looks excellent for a classic of this vintage, and the glass is clear.
When it comes to bulletproof mechanical components, they don’t come much better than Chrysler’s slant-six motors and the three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, as found in this Dart. The slant-six typically delivers above-average performance and, like the TorqueFlite, will provide decades of trouble-free motoring if properly maintained. This Dart features the 198ci version of the six, and although it undoubtedly felt the impact of tighter emission regulations, it still produced 95hp. To put those figures into perspective, the 200ci six under the hood of a 1974 Ford Maverick delivered 84hp, demonstrating that the Dart enjoyed a performance advantage. The seller states that they recently upgraded to front disc brakes, which is a welcome safety improvement. They also installed new front shocks, a master cylinder, upper control arms, upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, plugs, a cap and rotor, and air and fuel filters. The car runs and drives extremely well, allowing the buyer to fly in and drive it home.
The Dart’s interior, trimmed in Tan vinyl, is unlikely to win many show trophies. The dashpad has cracked in several places, and the front seatcover has splits and seam separations. However, since the remaining upholstered surfaces look extremely clean, there are budget-friendly options available. A dash cover would cost less than $100, while a high-quality slipcover would hide the seat issue for about the same amount. With those items installed, the interior would present quite nicely without breaking the bank.
The 1974 Dodge Dart Sport is an inherently attractive vehicle, and with its minor rust addressed, this one could be a beauty. Some enthusiasts prefer to take their first tentative steps into the world of classic car ownership without spending a fortune, and this Dart ticks that box. It isn’t the most desirable vehicle on the planet, but its positive attributes have resulted in healthy listing statistics. I won’t be surprised if it finds a new home fairly quickly, but are you tempted to make this Dodge yours?
Lots of previous rust repair that needs addressing again. Potential buyers need to do a thorough inspection. Most sellers try and obfuscate such problems, this one didn’t.
Steve R