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6-Pack Equipped: 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340

Okay, a Dart Swinger 340 is not that uncommon. They built more than 16,000 of them in 1970 alone. However, it’s not every day that you run across one with a 6-Pack set-up, and I don’t mean beer. From what we can see, this is a gently used (that does not compute) or somewhat restored Swinger 340 that gained a triple-carb set-up off a 1970 AAR Cuda at some point. And the motor has been seriously tricked out so its far more potent than it once was. This beauty can be found at a dealer in Pompano Beach, Florida and here on eBay where the bidding has reached $15,700 and there is no reserve in this auction! However, there is a Buy It Now option available, but you must call the dealer to find out what it is.

Dodge added a 2-door hardtop to its Dart line-up in 1969 and called it the Swinger (well, it was the ‘60s!). It could be had with a 340 V-8 that was good for 275 hp (at least) from the factory. That configuration was carried into 1970, which the seller’s car represents. We’re told this Swinger 340 wears its original paint, the interior looks hardly used, and there is less than 36,000 miles on the odometer. How does this happen? Who bought a car like this new to sit in the garage most of the time? Fast forward 50 years, and its had quite a few “tweaks” to it mechanically to get to what you see today.

Some of the modifications of this 1970 Swinger 340 include the following:

  • Mopar Performance Stroker Kit plus “30 Over” bring it to about 400 cubic Inches; wonder what the horsepower is now?
  • 6-Pack carburetion from an AAR Cuda of the same year
  • 587 head castings and swirl ported
  • 4-speed manual transmission (A-833) with overdrive
  • 8 ¾ rear end with 391 gears
  • FlowMaster Muffler 40’s with Headman Headers (the seller says it sounds great!)
  • Performance ignition system and upgraded radiator (original comes with the car)

Moreover, the front end is new, the brakes and wheel bearing are new, and the wheels are correct for the car/year. This Swinger is said to have been garage-kept and only brought out to go to local car shows. One thing that puzzles me – and I could be wrong – is that there is no reference to the 340 motor in the stripes or fender scripts. Did they not do that or am I looking for something that’s not supposed to be there. On the other hand, the interior is quite tidy, but where are the headrests? I thought those were required in 1970. Has the interior been redone?

If you search for other Swinger 340s for sale, they pop up between $20-40,000.  Given the condition of the car, I’m guessing this one would be toward the higher end of that range. But it’s not original. Would the addition of the 6-pack and the other mechanical goodies prevent it from accelerating in value? There were 16,637 Swinger 340s built in 1970. While it’s not like it was from the factory, is this now 1 of 1? Thanks, Swinger340, for the production intel.

Comments

  1. Avatar Dave

    This is not a 340 car. No Rallye gauges and the “Dodge” script (instead of “Dart Swinger”) on the trunk lid are dead giveaways… plus the VIN gives the game away with a “B” engine code… slant six car originally.

    Like 16
    • Avatar Jeff

      👍👍👍👍👍

      Like 0
    • Avatar Samster

      I would remove the hood scoops, blow wing, stripe and rallye rims to make it a true sleeper!

      Like 0
  2. Avatar MoPhil

    For the Swinger 340 in 1970, the only place you’ll find a “340” emblem is on the hood scoops. Oh, and on the pie-plate air-cleaner lid under-hood. 😉

    Like 2
  3. Avatar Turbo

    Nice car. I like MOPARs but not an expert by any means. In the early 70s our next door neighbor was a college professor who had a green version of this (most likely with a much less exciting engine). It’s odd the things that you remember. I can picture my dad talking to him as he washed that car while keeping an eye on me. For whatever reason these cars haven’t gotten the love by the market that I think they deserve. You don’t really see these cars going for over 30 grand. Probably a great point of entry for a muscle car fan just getting into the hobby and they are just rare enough to see in this condition that you would get plenty of attention at a show.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar DavidH

    It was a originally a slant six. Maybe that explains why there are no headrests. The new owner may want to locate some if they are going to drive it as is.

    Like 5
  5. Avatar Troy s

    What it is is one quick ride that’ll bring smiles and tears to the new owner, it’s all about the thrill with this hopped up Dart. What it was….a boring old folks car used for grocery shopping, ha!
    Done right too, serious power under the hood with just enough curbside appeal to keep it interesting. Good stuff.

    Like 7
  6. Avatar DrillnFill

    Even though it was originally a Slant it’s still a sweet ride. It should have headrests though.
    Question: could one order a factory Bumblebee stripe on a 1970 Dart equipped with the plastic door and fender moldings down the side of the car?

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Stephen Miklos

    Wow someone found this Dart with a 225 and a 4 speed. That’s rare by itself. And with low mileage on it. Then added hood scoops and deck lid spoiler with the stripe. Change the gears to 3:91 drop in a smoking 340 6 pack …. Man what a ride!! That is exactly what I would have done. If I went further I would put in a rally dash board and a tuff steering wheel. Somebody is going to buy a sweet ride. 😄👍

    Like 8
    • Avatar Terry Bowman

      Being so much is wrong, I’m not sure if it is a true “TA” or “AAR” block. No shoulder belts or head rests. A 4-speed 6 cly, NOT, maybe a 3 speed and the 4-speed was added later to the same hardware, tunnel, peddles, most linkage, ect.. Engine compartment was painted (OP says not painted. I believe all 340 swingers had disc brakes, this car does not, according to the master cly. Plus, what was already mentioned.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Samster

        Yeah, just a cheap ’70 Dart to begin with, no much nicer!

        Like 0
  8. Avatar 370zpp Member

    Nice car, period.

    The elephant in the room: What happened to the 1970 AAR Cuda??

    Like 8
    • Avatar Lynn Dockey Member

      tree or a telephone pole in the middle of the road most likely!!!!

      Like 2
  9. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Now that it’s on a Dodge, is it okay to call it a 6 pack?
    Better call Worman.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Lynn Dockey Member

      I thought plymouth called it the 6 barrel

      Like 2
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        That is correct, but now that it is on a Dodge, should it be called a 6 pack? The sticker on the air cleaner needs to be changed. (Chuckle)

        Like 0
  10. Avatar Steve Bush Member

    Looks to be a nice ride at a decent price. Hopefully, the brakes have been upgraded to front discs. Would also add some matching buckets from a similar Mopar.

    Like 3
  11. Avatar 4 Barrel

    Too much hp for an original 6 swinger. I would hope the front wasn’t kept stock. This could be a dangerous ride to operate and with what it’s got under the hood. “ I can’t drive 55”

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Terry Bowman

    Seeing many items not correct of missing, I would bet the motor is not a TA or AAR power plant. It still would be a fun car to own. Price is already max out, without any other goodies, but the 6- pack intake and carbs.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar George Louis

    To: DraininFill: The body side molding on 1970/71 Dodge Darts are metal foundation attached to body with weld on steel studs and retainer clips. The plastic body side Mouldings attached with adhesive tape started with the 1972 Model Year Darts . The rear tape stripe for 1970 was only available with 340 engine option from the factory. You could not get both on the same vehicle.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Drillnfill

      So it is correct to say that a ’70 Dart could not be ordered from the factory like the one in this listing ( thin body side molding plus bumblebee tape stripe)?

      Thanks for your reply !

      Like 0
  14. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    It’s highly likely the new owner will find the headrest support tubes in the seat backs, under the replaced seat cover kits. The original headrests were easily [and often] removed. Unless this car was built for export [away from North America] it has to have headrests.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Moe

    Dodge Guys.
    Vin says slant 6 by guys in post. No gauges?.
    Sic ride if all is up to snuff with motor.
    Meaning all 6cyl driveline is upgraded to hang with Stroked 340 6 pack.
    Go baby go.lol

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    OK MoPaR guys, Am I correct in the belief the 4 speed & OD trans was introduced to give better fuel mileage, and was never intended for Hi-Po use, and therefore wouldn’t be the matching trans for the 340 6-pack engine?

    Like 2
    • Avatar Jon B

      The A833 was used on every engine in the lineup.
      Differences were gear ratios and gear tooth angles.
      Changes were made through the years to synchro and other items. Some of the OD models had the OD in what a normal trans would be 3rd.
      If that unit came from a 6 popper 1st gear is a low 3.09 and OD would be .073.
      The 340-6 cars came with a 2.47 1st gear and close ratios. Hemis and 440s came with a 2.44 first gear.
      The A833 is up to the task. Its a favorite with folks with restomods wanting an OD with low rear gears.
      https://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/four-speed-manual.html

      Nice looking Dart!

      Like 1
      • Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

        Jon,

        Thanks!

        Like 0

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