Looking like a very nice project car, this 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger has a few issues related to the dreaded rust scourge that so many of us have dealt with our whole lives. It sure looks good in the first couple of photos, though. It can be found here on craigslist in San Marcos, California and the seller is asking $2,800. Thanks to Pat L. for sending in this tip!
This car looks great so far, having just a few tiny nicks in the paint and some small rust spots visible. I can’t remember seeing too many white Dodge Darts in the past and I like it, even with the spots here and there. The fourth-generation Dodge Dart was made for the 1967 through 1976 model years and they received a bit of a redesign or refresh for the 1970 model year.
Ok, here’s more rust visible, on the right quarter panel and around the rear window which looks scarier to me than the quarter panel rust. The other side doesn’t look much better so there will be some major work to do on this car by the next owner. Replacement panels are available but I’d want to at least try to piece it in first, quarter panel replacement isn’t exactly for the average weekend tinkerer.
I’m starting to get the feeling that this wasn’t originally a white car. The dash is somewhat fried and things generally look a little rough inside, too. Most parts are still available depending on how much a person really wanted to spend on a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger restoration. The Dart went away at the end of 1976 to make way for the Dodge Aspen.
Ok, here’s where you can tell that this wasn’t a white car originally. This isn’t a 340 V8 as you can see, it’s the venerable 225 cubic-inch slant-six that most of us know and love. It would have had 145 hp when new. It doesn’t look bad itself, but again, the thing that worries me is the visible rust seen on the upper firewall area. This one needs a fuel pump and it’s been in storage for six years, according to the owner. Can this Dart Swinger be saved?
Wait a minute, are you SURE this is a California car?!? I thought they didn’t rust much??? This one is seriously rust cancerous! Since it’s just a lo-spec model, the costs of repairing all of the rust damage (IMO) would exceed the cost of buying a nicer one!
San Marcos is a bit inland and north of San Diego, I wonder if this has California beach rust (just saying), I live in Southern CA and thats what beach cars can have happen
I’m with you, boss. I love those Slant 6s. My first car was a 1964 Plymouth wagon with 3 on the tree and one of my favorites, was a 1976 Dodge Aspen wagon with the OD4 stick! I would love this. I’m thinking on telling my Vegas kids to pick it up and then change it over. LOL
The scariest rust is in the passenger side firewall by the hood hinge. I’d pass on this one and wait for something better to come along.
I’d bet this car didn’t start out in California, a friend has live near an AFB since the mid-1980’s. He says a lot of service members from around the country would get stationed there and sell their rust cars either when they were deployed or realized they could afford much nicer cars, and upgraded.
Steve R
I wonder how many tower of power mopar motors are still in use today??? Those things were bullet proof!! I can still remember the unique sound of the starter when I use to start mine in my 69 dart!!!
This looks like beach-town rust to me. That’s some scary stuff. This is a drive-it-as-is-until-something-breaks-then-part-it-out car.
My yard rolls into a large area of cranberry bogs. Said to be about 600 acres. Some of the pump houses they move water around with have slant sixes powering the pumps. The valve covers say Chrysler Commercial Engine on them. Some of the houses have Ford 460’s.
That rust spot on the firewall scares the heck outta me too! Otherwise, this doesn’t look too bad to me (coming from Wisconsin, this is considered MINT lol).
I agree with That Guy, buy it & drive it until something happens to it, then part it out so a better one can live.
Once again, not enough pics. No underside pics…probably due to all the other rust. Only one interior pic and that of a horrible looking front seat. I’m like most of you, I’ll pass on this one. Besides, it is on the wrong coast.
I saw one of these with a Dodge 6 cylinder diesel. It sure looked factory. Has anyone else seen one of these with that diesel I’ve seen?