Barn Stored 30 Years: 1974 Dodge Dart Sport

The Dart Sport was Dodge’s version of the Plymouth Duster fastback, a sporty addition to the compact Valiant stable. The front clip was the same as the sedan, but from the windshield back it had its own sheet metal. The Dart Sport would be in the Dodge sales brochures through 1976 when the series was retired in favor of the new Aspen. This 1974 Dart Sport has been stored in a barn for as long as 30 years and will need to be resuscitated. It’s available in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and here on craigslist for just $2,995. Another Mopar find compliments of Barn Finder Pat L!

Before Dart Sport badging arrived in 1973, the car had been known as the Demon for 1971-72. Apparently, that name was considered politically incorrect even in those days, and Chrysler got some pressure from religious sectors to rename the automobile. Whether that’s true or not, the name did change – and while the cars themselves were the same – they didn’t sound quite as exciting going forward. Especially when the small-block performance motor, the 340, was involved.

This 1974 Dart Sport is one of 23,225 built in 1974 with a 318 cubic-inch V8 engine, about half the number that had the Slant Six for better fuel economy. Little is known about this car except that it may have been in this barn for the past three decades and the odometer reading of 28,000 can’t be verified. Given its flat tires, it doesn’t seem as though any attempt has been made to move the car in ages.

Although there are a couple of dents in the body, this Dart looks as though it wouldn’t be hard to spruce up. Its gold paint is tired, and the matching interior will at least need the front seat covers redone. Whether the car can be easily coaxed to run again is another matter and the condition of the TorqueFlite automatic transmission isn’t known.  We’re told the buyer will get a bunch of new parts when he/she carries the Dodge away. Would you consider this a good gamble for under $3,000?