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Compact Muscle Project: 1969 Dodge Dart GTS

Dodge offered three muscle cars in the late 1960s, two of which are well known and a third lesser so. In the mid-size arena, there was the Charger R/T and the Coronet R/T, while in the compact sector Dodge offered the Dart GT Sport or GTS. Depending on the model year, you could get a Dart GTS with a 340, 383, 440, and even a 426 Hemi (on rare occasions). Production numbers were far less than the Charger and Coronet because you could run up quite the price tag on the Dart. From 1969 is this GTS with a 383 and a 4-speed, neither of which are numbers-matched though the car was built this way. Located in Oxford, New York, this rough-around-the-edges Dodge is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $21,655, the reserve is unmet, and the Buy It Now price is a lofty $45,000.

In 1969, just 6,285 copies of the GTS were built, of which just 1,912 were the 383 like the seller’s car (we suspect the 340 was the most popular choice). Space under the hood was fairly limited as the same quarters were also built to contain lesser engines like the 225 Slant-Six or 318 LA V8. As a result, the bigger the engines in these cars got, the less likely you could get power steering, power brakes, and factory air conditioning, none of which we believe the seller’s car has.

Unfortunately, the seller’s car was mutilated by a previous owner. The size of the rear wheels openings was enlarged to accommodate bigger wheels and tires, and the fender aprons and cowl brackets were cut to accommodate fender well headers. The seller is providing the parts needed to correct the latter, but for the former new quarter panels will be needed (which is not so bad as what’s there is beat up anyway).

We’re told this Dodge is a solid running car and the seller uses it as a daily driver, telling us that it’s a blast to drive. The VIN and cowl tag information seems to check out and the replacement engine and transmission are mostly correct for the era. The Dart’s original 3.91 Sure Grip 8 3/4 rear end is still in play. This car has been repainted at least once in the original color and the bucket seats in the passenger compartment have been redone and don’t match the back seat. These cars could be ordered with or without a console and it looks like one was modified to accommodate the 4-speed shifter. This Mopar will require a lot of time and money on the part of the buyer. But will it fetch close to the seller’s Buy It Now price?

Comments

  1. Avatar photo Stan

    Mopar or no car

    Like 4
  2. Avatar photo Paul D Jordan

    Had one brand-new (Swinger 340) 4spd. The Canadian ones were built in Windsor ON. Back in the 80’s, high octane gas became hard to get. That 340 has a 10:5 compression ratio.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar photo The Other Chris

    Where is there a factory 426 Hemi GTS?

    Like 3
    • Avatar photo Gary

      No, just the GSS 440

      Like 0
  4. Avatar photo Richard

    I really hope this seller doesn’t get his asking price of $40K is out of line! This thing is a rust bucket, and the current bid at $21,655 is $1,655 TOO HIGH!!!!

    Like 7
  5. Avatar photo mopar man

    40 K ??? Are you kidding me? If you are serious I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale

    Like 0
  6. Avatar photo Mikey P

    This car is worth a little less than HALF what he’s asking…. So sad that a father and son can’t build an old car together anymore. Restoring this car would leave you so upside down….

    Like 0

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