Chrysler redesigned its compact cars for 1967, giving the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant new leases on life. That iteration would prove quite popular and remain in production through 1976. The GT was the sporty version of the Dart in 1967-69 but was more about looks as a “Slant-Six” engine was standard equipment. This 1967 convertible is in nice “driver” condition and runs well though some TLC is recommended. It was a one-family car for years, but it’s time for it to move on and is in Mesa, Arizona. Available here on eBay, a single bid of $6,500 has been cast thus far.
The Dart nameplate was first used on a full-size Dodge in 1959. When the Lancer name was retired on Dodge’s 1961-62 compact, the company shifted it to the reworked compact platform for 1963. The nameplate remained in mothballs from 1977 to 2012 when it came back as a subcompact of a Dodge-branded Fiat derivative. In 1967, the GT was Dart’s highest trim level product, and 38,200 copies were built, 21,600 with a 273 cubic inch V8 and the rest with an inline-6. The seller’s car has the latter, the unique and venerable 225 Slant-Six, named for the angle of the engine.
As the story goes, the seller bought this car from his/her uncle when said relative’s health took a turn. The plan was to keep it in the family and eventually restore it. Time and other priorities have prevented the latter from happening, although it’s a fairly solid, running automobile just as it sits. The seller supplied the Dodge with fresh fuel, and a new battery, and gave it a tune-up. But more likely is needed, though not immediately. If this Dodge were dark green, it would look a lot like the GTS that Joe the detective drove in the Mannix TV show in 1968-69.
For example, the front floorboards have been patched but not done well and a purist might want to redo them. The interior looks good though the carpeting seems to be MIA. The white convertible top is okay for now but should be replaced if you plan to drive it in the rain. The body and red paint look good, but a close inspection may be in order. If the floorboards needed patching, are there problems elsewhere that putting it on a lift might reveal? But if you’re looking for a driver-quality classic, this Dart might be hard to beat. And these Slant-Sixes are hard to fill.
BIG fan of Mannix and his GT.
From what I have read over the years, his car while low-gloss green for the show, was actually red under the repaint. Apparently some under-hood shots show red.
True dat!
Here’s an article about the car.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/modified-for-mannix-1968-dodge-dart-gts
Thanks for that link! I was a huge Mannix fan as a kid. I never realized the Dart had been customized. I wonder if the Barracudas were stock.
Yep, was red and they thought it was to “Flashy”.
That car is alive and well, there is a fantastic video on Youtube where it and Mike Connors are reunited.
Also, A Big Fan Of ‘Mannix’…In
1967, was ‘tempted’ to buy a New
Dart GT HT, though DID buy a New
Coronet 500 HT, 318 V8, Auto (&
Ziebarted). Optional Silver with
Cranberry buckets….STILL. HAVE,
ALWAYS IN GARAGE..Text and/
or Call Alan Werner, (248) 678-1983, ANY Day, After 12 pm/noon
Eastern time. (IF Curious).
I love these Darts and especially the convertible. Would actually be fun to hop up that slanty. So much more car than a Falcon. More on par with a Chevy II.
My first car was my dad’s two door Dodge Dart. It was the base line slant six 170 cubic inch with three on the column. It was a light metallic blue that I repainted a non factory medium bold blue. I drove that car across the entire US from FL to SanFrancisco goong approx, 50 mph in Feb. 1974 thru the first oil embargo with gasless Sundays. I went the back way pretty much across she US. I went through three blizzards and other than the gas line freezing up and the single barrel starving for oxygen at altitude it worked great. So good I bought another 1970 Swinger Dart with the 225 Slant Six. The 67 to me had the cleanest lines. The plastic molding around the windshield I switched out to chrome 68 molding. A lot of work! Would have loved a 340 in either one, but then I would still own one of them!
These were fun cars – I owned one in the early 90’s. Swapped out the auto for a 4-speed with buckets and a console, made for a fun car. I would definitely want to check out the torque boxes and the upper control arm mounting area of the frame, such as it is, to make sure these areas are solid. The ball joints on these were under-sized and went bad in a hurry – the solution was to pull the front end off a 1973+ A-body with disk brakes, which used the same spindles as the b-body and the larger ball joints. This one has a disk brake master cylinder, but that could just be a replacement hack as drum-front master cylinders are much harder to find. My guess is that it will go for silly money when the bidding is done. Good luck to both the seller and the next owner.
If the floors are rusted through I believe these were unibody cars and I would question the integrity of the rest. I have witnessed unibody convertibles with rusty undercarriages break in half on belly hoist.
I thought all ’67 Dart GT’s had bucket seats and console with floor shift.
Time period correct V8, new carpet, bucket seats and center console and let’s GO !
Nice little car! And yes I’m a huge Mannix fan also. Here in MN Mannix just started the 1970 season 4 with his new “Cuda” on METV.
“Not only does Mannix get a new car (green 1970 Plymouth Barracuda convertible) for the new season but Peggy Fair has also traded her blue Simca 1000 for a white Plymouth Valiant sedan.”
Would love to have that Simca. You sure don’t see those around anymore.
My 67 Dart GT was a 383 4 speed car. I thought all the GT Darts were with that motor.