The Dart Sport was launched in 1971 as Dodge’s version of the successful Plymouth Duster, a cool Valiant fastback. But it wasn’t called Dart Sport at first. For two years, it was named the Demon, but that was considered politically incorrect even five decades ago. The seller’s 1974 Dart Sport began life with a Slant-Six but is being transformed into something of a Dart Sport 360 muscle car clone. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this unfinished project is available here on eBay for $9,000 OBO/Buy It Now.
This Mopar was intended to be a hot restomod, but the seller has lost interest even though the revved-up motor has just 50 miles on it. Gone is the factory 225 cubic inch engine, having been replaced by a 5.9-liter “Magnum” V8 from 2001. While a correct ’74 hood scoop has been added, so the car looks like a Dart Sport 360, the work done goes beyond that pedigree. The motor has been bored over, with a snappier crankcase, camshaft, aluminum heads, and KB pistons. Headers have been added, and the list of performance upgrades goes on and on.
The 904 transmission must be stronger than what came in the Dodge to begin with. DOT-approved drag tires sit on wider rear wheels. Two major items are needed before you can start hitting the traffic light showdowns. New brakes are essential, and the seller suggests the rear gears be improved thanks to the larger wheels and rubber.
While the body is said to be solid, the clear coat over the Frost Green paint is flawed below the side body stripes. Also, there are some chips on the roof, so a purist may want to do it all over again. The Dart once had a canopy vinyl roof covering, but it was removed. While the car itself has 119,000 miles, yet mechanically it’s practically brand new. This seems like a lot of potential thunder for the money.
Agree w you Russ. This looks like some potential fun for a Mopar fan. Good information from the sellers ad also.👍
Good performance street build, it needs some finishing, but the bulk of the heavy lifting has been done. If the car is accurately represented in the ad, the price is more than fair. A disc brake upgrade is a smart and relatively inexpensive upgrade.
Steve R
This is a reasonably priced way to enjoy drag racing, in fact you couldn’t buy a car and build it for this price. Too bad it hasn’t been completed enough to run at the drags? Probably needs a Holley as the T Quad is harder to tune with all these engine mods. It might get you into the high 14’s as is, but really needs 3:91 or 4:10’s to get quicker. Keep in mind a new Prius runs low 15’s, so it isn’t as fast as it feels. It definitely does not need drag radials with these gears. I’m not sure why he says it needs disc brakes, they stop just fine with what they have stock.
Like the seller says, where are you going t get a Mopar drag car with a fresh engine and tranny for under 10K? Have a lot of racing fun and talk to many people that appreciate the older cars.
A snappier crankcase? What, pray tell, is that?
A snappier crankcase? What, pray tell, is that?
It’s definitely got some drag racing parts. But with a 3.23:1 gear, I’d rather have this as a street machine.
If you’re using the A-999 variant of the 904 slush box, it was the Police Package Transmission, with a Wide Ratio gear set (2.74, 1.54, 1.00), which makes a 3.23 gear set equivalent to a standard gear set and a 3.55:1 rear axle. Just add a shift kit and an external trans fluid cooler.
The Magnum 5.9 is a 360 cube, hydraulic roller camed small block engine with a high flowing cylinder heads and an AMC valvetrain. There’s a shop in SoCal that starts with Engine Quest Cast Iron CH318B, Aussie made, replacement heads that flowed MUCH BETTER than the standard LA “X” or “J” heads ever could flow and will bolt up older LA Series Intake Manifolds. With the Magnum’s Rubbed Belt Front End Accessory (ribbed) Drive Belt, you don’t lose as much power as you would with multiple “V” Belts running the accessories. They were streetable and made mid 500 HP, with Torque in the low to mid 600 lb.ft.
All it needs to be a street Machine are 1) Factory Police Torsion Bars and Leaf Springs equivalent to the 1976 Valiant Pursuit Package, the Equivalent Anti-sway Bars for that package and decent shock absorbers 2) a good set of 60 Series tires fitted to Police Pursuit rims, a decent pair of Front seats and 5-point quick release seat belts 3) a multi-quart Accurate-Sump to provide oil pressure, during hard maneuvers, a trap door sump oil pan and good factory brakes from a 1973 or later Valiant or from the Valiant Pursuit (1976) A body.
This would have been better on a pre-1973 example, as the Federally-mandated “Bash Beam” bumpers are both ugly and heavy! I’m not a fan of the drag strip, boy-racer, go-fast goodies, like the hood scoop or street “slicks”, but those can be removed. The seats could also use new seat covers, but for what you get, $9k is a steal! The brake and suspension upgrades are inexpensive and I like that the ugly, moisture trapping vinyl roof is gone. Add $4k for shipping it back east. GLWTS!
This is a pretty big bang for the dollar. Go bracket racing and have a good time. Who cares if a prius runs 14’s. Go have fun and be happy that you’re still not being seen in a prius.