The Dart Sport was Dodge’s version of the highly successful Plymouth Duster. It debuted as the Demon in 1971 and was rebranded in 1973. Other than the front clip and taillights, the Dart Sport and Duster were the same car. The seller’s ’73 is a bare-bones, one-owner survivor, though it may have been repainted at one time. In running condition with possible low miles, this “econo-Mopar” is available in Suffolk, Virginia, and here on eBay for $7,750.
In 1970, Plymouth wanted to add some sex appeal to its rather stodgy Valiant compact. So, they gave it a fastback body from the cowl back – and suddenly the car was cool! Dodge liked what they saw and clambered for their version and the Demon quickly followed. As the story goes, Dodge caught some heat from the clergy about the implications of the Demon name, so the automobile was reborn as the Dart Sport in 1973 (not as cool, huh?). The name and body style would stick through to the Dart’s (and Valiant’s) retirement in 1976.
The seller’s car hits home for me as my mom had a ’74 Dart Sport. But it was fancier than this one, with a half vinyl top and full-length body stripe, split bench seat, factory A/C, and automatic transmission. The seller’s vehicle has none of these things as the options list was kept short when the car was built. It has Chrysler’s venerable 225 cubic inch Slant-Six paired with a “3-on-the-tree” manual tranny. A radio and full wheel covers may have been the only extras.
We’re told this Dodge has only traveled 36,000 miles, which could be legit as the original owner was an elderly gentleman. He liked to camp, so the car had a trailer hitch for the pull-behind. Other than the paint (some overspray on the door jams), everything you see could be original. The finish is not perfect as there is a streak below the gasoline filler cap where it must have overflowed more than once and it went unchecked.
The 51-year-old Dart runs and drives, though the seller doesn’t say how well it does these things. The Dodge does have new tires and a host of paperwork that will come with the transaction. This could be a fun car to run around in – if the price is right.
Forever immortalized as Al Bundys Dodge, even though it was actually a Duster. How many here can remember before automatic gas nozzle shut-offs, and spills were a common thing. When gas would actually take the paint off.
I worked at a gas station in the early 1980s, and overflowed gas would stain the paint , but never took it off. I’m thinking the car has had a poor repaint and that is the paint that came off- that, or the guy ran the car on lacquer thinner !
This would be a fun car to own. I would find a four barrel carb and intake manifold. Put dual exhaust on it. Some nicer wheels.I would make the rear suspension stronger. And spot paint where the gas has spilled on it. Then I would drive it until I die. It will out last me.
Lots of rust bubbling up under the paint, the 3spd column shift doesn’t help. Unless this is someone’s dream car, there are better cars from that era for significantly less money.
Steve R
Base model fans will appreciate this car
3 on the tree is how I learned to drive.
“A bird in the hand is worth three on the tree”.
36k miles ? What a joke . It has all the tired earmarks of a 136k mile car. its had bodywork done as the emblems are all missing , the right fender was red so its been hit , there are rust bubbles in both rear quarters, the doors and fenders and what looks to be a low quality repaint . the engine bay is a rusty mess .The interior is beat, and the seats have been reupholstered in a non factory cloth style. I can only imagine what it looks like underneath and in the trunk . The only value in this car is the clutch pedal set up ; its not even close to being worth restoring and its no where close to be a survivor
I agree with Don on the mileage claim, too much wear. One of my Dusters was almost exactly like this one. Pretty soulless. The rear springs tend to sag, which makes for a droopy appearance. People hate following these and you get constantly passed, even when keeping up with traffic. Buy the time these were made, they were old cares even new.
Utilitarian, practical, reliable. All good qualities. Fun to drive. Naah.
Ironically I replaced it with a Camry, which was a modern interpretation of the same theme. But it got 40 MPG and was a lot more comfortable.
$7750.00 is way out of where this car should be, perhaps half that.
You almost never saw these without and auto. My aunt and uncle had one of the first gold dusters with 3 on the floor. I thought that was a neat car.