I can’t help thinking of country music legends Merle Haggard and Buck Owens when I think of Bakersfield, California. It has nothing to do with this great-looking 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger, that’s just the way it is. In case you were wondering, this car is located in Bakersfield and has been since new. It’s listed here on eBay, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $6,020.
I’ve been to and through Bakersfield a few times and, believe it or not, I like it. That’s my kind of climate after having grown up in snow country. That hot, dry climate seems to have preserved this Dart Swinger, other than some heat damage inside. It also has a few dings and dents here and there, but compared to what a car from the Upper Midwest would look like after 55 years, this one is amazing. The seller says this car hasn’t been on the road since the late 1980s, but it’s had some drivetrain work recently.
The seller has provided a nice walk-around video here on YouTube, very well done. The paint is reportedly all original and it looks great overall, but is a bit Bakersfield burnt on some portions like the roof, and there are a few dents to work on. The trunk appears solid other than the usual surface rust in the crevices.
The seats have been recovered and they look perfect both front and rear. The dashpad will hopefully not be a huge project, I believe the top padded portion can be removed without taking the whole dash apart. I’d remove the seats and put down some Dynamat-like material before adding new carpet, and the steering wheel has seen better days. This is looking like an incredibly solid and nice project so far, and the bid is only a fraction of Hagerty’s #4 value of $21,600!
Here’s is Dodge’s 340-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have been factory-rated at 275 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque when new. The seller says the engine was rebuilt by a shop in Bakersfield and the car could use new bumpers, but if this sells for anything less than $15,000 it’ll be an absolute steal. It has power steering and power brakes for a bit of “luxury”, as well as a rebuilt TorqueFlite three-speed automatic with a console shifter. How much would you pay for this car, given Hagerty’s value of $32,100 for a #3 good car and $21,600 for a #4 fair car?
Boy this is one solid Dodge. I’d venture to say that it never would’ve survived in any of the Rust belt areas for sure. The exterior looks terrific. And like Scotty said the seats are great. As for the steering wheel, you could go aftermarket or perhaps a “Tuff” steering wheel. But me, I’d try to restore the original wheel because its unique. And go from there with whatever attention the dash and door cards etc may need. Personally I’d leave the paint and preserve whats there, I think its very presentable the way it sits. It’s something else, and goes to show you that there’s still hidden gems out there that’s been hiding for a few decades or more, and are just begging to be driven again. Nice find here for sure!!!
Not seeing a power brake booster. Great car with 340.
Not seeing a power steering pump either.
My apologies, Whisky tango and Roland! I was going by a couple of old brochures that said those things were standard on the Swinger 340, and now that you mention it, they sure aren’t in that engine compartment, dang.
Thanks, Driveinstile! I’d do the same exact thing, leave it as is other than maybe finishing the interior.
Dont feel bad Scotty, the sellers e-bay description says it has power steering and brakes as well!
Looks like a very restorable car, only two problems. It’s on the wrong coast and that bid will likely quadruple before bidding ends.
Your preaching to the choir pastor!
Great color, great engine, nice interior with buckets, rally dash with Tik-tok, I’m not sure where they get 350 HP from with a stock engine. Anything up to 20K would be a very good purchase price. If this were a Duster the bids would be up to 30K. This car has everything except style, I was never a fan of the tail light treatment. Under 10K I’m not sure I could hold off on bidding!
I had a ‘71 with a 318, those wheels and my steering wheel had its horn built into the inside portion of the wheel, rubber all the way around the wheel. I was but a young 24 y.o when I purchased this used and had fun driving it while I had it. I was never a fan of those rear tail lights in the bumper either, liking the previous year(s) when they were built into the body.
Nice car! I’m bidding and following along.
This engine in an A body was amazing. Made many a big block look pale in comparison.
Wow, does this bring back memories! Around the same time I bought my 70 Charger 440-6, another kid in the neighborhood bought almost the exact same Dart Swinger 340-4. Both new, both less than 5k miles. We used to meet at a huge abandoned warehouse parking lot on Friday and Saturday nights to race. That 340 Dart kept up with me for the entire 1/8 mile! They were hot and fast!
Dwight Yoakam also had a big presence along with Buck in Bakersfield.
Seeing this car, I know it’s a Dodge, but I had a friend that had the Plymouth Scamp. Similar body style. But his had a 318 in it. But this Swinger is in nice shape. Just wondering what price the final bidding will bring. I’m keeping my eye on this one .
Bidding is up to $10.3k, with the auction closing on Friday, 07 February, 2025, at 3:16 P.M. (1516 hours) PST (assumed). A good, solid car that can either be left as is, complete with “patina”, or restored as time and money permit. A great car for the right buyer! GLWTS!
Sold for $13,600 seems like a pretty good deal to me.
Thank you, sir! I was just checking these but you beat me to it.