If you are searching for a solid classic, then it is hard to look beyond the state of Arizona as a happy hunting ground. That state’s dry climate is excellent for preserving metal, and this 1964 Dodge Dart is a shining example of that. Until recently, it had called that state its home. It wears a coating of dry surface corrosion, but it is free from any nasty rust issues. It runs and drives and will leave its next owner with the choice of restoring it or leaving it largely untouched. Barn Finder Wyatt D spotted this classic for us, so thank you for that, Wyatt. The Dart is located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the price at $8,999 OBO.
I will admit that when I first saw this car, I did a bit of a double-take. I initially thought that we had seen it before when my illustrious colleague Scotty Gilbertson wrote about a Dart GT in this excellent article back in 2016. By the process of elimination, I have decided that they are different vehicles. This Dart is finished in the same shade of white, and also features the same level of surface corrosion. However, there is no actual penetrating rust, which is a bonus in a classic of this vintage. The panels appear to be straight, with no signs of any real dings or dents. The paint and stripes are heavily baked, so there is no doubt that the GT would benefit from a repaint. The chrome is in acceptable condition for a survivor, while there are no problems with the glass.
It is said that there’s nothing as great as a V8, but you won’t find one of those under the hood of this Dart. Dodge offered a 273ci V8, along with the 170ci and 225ci slant-six engine in this model year. This is the larger of those two sixes, and when new, it would have churned out 145hp. However, I suspect that figure is largely irrelevant because it now breathes a bit better than it used to. It has been fitted with an Offenhauser dual-carb intake, along with a new exhaust manifold. What makes this that little bit better is the fact that the horses from that 225 make their way to the rear wheels through the optional A-833 4-speed manual transmission. The seller has owned the Dart for 4-years, and he says that it runs and drives well. As well as the new intake and carburetors, the vehicle has recently been fitted with new tires.
That same Arizona sun that is so conducive to steel preservation can take its toll on upholstery, which has been the case with this car. Much of the soft trim has gone the way of the dodo, and what is left is looking pretty tired. There are no carpets, and the dash pad is also looking distinctly secondhand. I did a bit of searching, and one of the downsides to these cars is the cost of interior trim items. At $180, a carpet set isn’t that bad. However, a set of front seat covers will cost around $560, a rear cover will set the owner back $520, and a set of door trims sells for $385. You would have to add a headliner, rear trims, and a dash pad to that total, so it would be worth the time and effort to hunt for a trim kit if the interior is going to be restored. On the positive side, the Hurst shifter for the 4-speed transmission is present, as is the original radio.
It might not have a V8 under the hood, but I suspect that this ’64 Dodge Dart GT would be a blast to own and drive. Refurbishing the interior is not going to be a cheap proposition, but this is balanced by the fact that the buyer is not going to be facing the prospect of wholesale rust repairs. As the car currently stands, it does have bags of character. A cosmetic restoration of the exterior would appear to be relatively straightforward, but it will be interesting to see what our readers think. Would you restore it, or would you drive this survivor as-is?
If these round head car makers would make something like this again, I’d be the 1st in line to buy one. IDK about the 2 carb deal, Hyper-Paks did churn out some serious hp, but this, I’d think would be a hassle. What are they trying to achieve? I’ve had several “slanty’s”, and the all ran great, although some sounded like the proverbial “coffee grinder”, and leaked oil worse than a Triumph, but they chugged on and on. I just never figured them for any kind of performance motor. Carburetors are the classic car owners biggest bane today, and F.I. somehow would solve many driving problems. Since Walmart is out of stock on rattle can clear, you might just have to paint it a solid color again. Got a 4 speed for you “shifty” folks, great find.
It’s a clone of the 64 Rambler American. Just like the63 Valiant was a clone of the 63 Rambler American. All good solid cars.
These old Darts and Valiants with their slant sixes are true road warriors.
I once stopped for gas in a place called Buellton, Ca. back in the early 80’s and the attendant had one.
I remarked on how nice it looked and he said it’s got 440,000 miles on it and just now the rear end needs help.
They are tried and true. IMHO $7,500.00 would be a good number.
what is the make of the carbs?
The Alaska SCC’s favorite garage owner, an ex-rodder and family guy, got himself a ’64 4-door with this slant 6 and the optional 4-barrel. He was widely laughed at for this, until we did a Sunday run from Anchorage up to Palmer, in those days a 50+-mile trip up and around Knik Arm, all two-lane blacktop. He had his family loaded in with him too. “Well, let’s go, said someone, and the Dart suddenly disappeared. When the first of the sporty cars got to the rendezvous cafe, the Dart was in the lot and the family was having lunch.
There are several reasons I love remembering that (though I got it second-hand): First, my first view of a trainload of these coming in to Anchorage got me wanting an American car really bad for the first time in years. And I’ve almost always preferred a good Six to a V8, just because, and really love the muscular ones. This is a car a younger, richer version of me would be seriously planning to go for, assuming a younger, more forgiving version of Mrs. O was okay with it. I do hope someone tidies this up and runs its socks off frequently.
How about $3,000 as a good offer. Some people hot rod these slant six motors and get some surpriseing power. I like it because they are easy to get to anything under the hood. I,d driver it and if the 2 carbs didn,t impress me with power,. I swap it back to a 1 barrel and enjoy the gas mileage,but really. Isn,t $3,000 a more reasonable offer? $9,000 A person can look around and beat this prices.,but their is always a fool that will part with their money in a hurry and THINKS this is a great buy. So maybe that is why the saler put the price high.
Johnny,
A few years back, you could buy them for that. But, not anymore.
The market went AWOL a few years back.
The engine appears to have had some fairly recent work.
This looks like a fairly easy project.
I’d opt for a jet black paint scheme with red carpet.
Dressed up for the party this little cutie will turn heads over and over again!
really enjoyed my darts (’64, ’66 waggys). Both 170s. The 2nd gave me 300K goin the premiter states of the country (a 2 yr gig) loaded down to the max w/an oversized roof rack too. Any 1 remember the pretty blue from mopwr? Anyway bought the newer abt a yr after the chicken coop fell & I had pop rivited the metal roof on the rust holes (to pass inspection). Well drvin it home from the purchase (as a 22 y/o kid) the starter made a big bang & I saw it skiddin down the rd behind me. The ’64 went in it when I got it home.
This was exactly the last new car my grandmother bought in ’63, except of course she chose the push button automatic!! When she stopped driving in the mid ’70’s I was offered this car with about 20k miles. However, because of the gas crisis and because my father spent more time on his cars vs his books in his teens, he strongly urged me against it. Instead, I bought a new ’73 Mercury Capri that looking back now was the better choice. I remember hat it sold quickly to he first person who looked at it for much more than my grandmother paid for it!!😂
Mike,
Just wondering what Hap’d to the Capri? Did it survive, or did it get replaced with another ?
Nice car with that 4spd. Maybe a quick paint job and then carpet to cut down on noise some.
Dual carbs and free flowing pipes with a 4spd yes. I don’t mind a hopped up 6 cyl in the least if it’s backed by a 4spd stick. Upgrade tires/wheels with 15″ steelies and brakes with discs up front, if those parts could be swapped in from a later model …. suspension as needed …
This would make a nice daily driver.
These Slant Sixes are indestructible. I’ve had 3 of them and they just run forever. Not going to scare anyone in the 0-60 times but a terrific engine nonetheless. I personally think $8900 is a reach. $4000-$5000 seems more getable. The dual carb thing seems overthought to me. I’d go with the “Super Six” 2 bbl if you can find one and just drive it. Love the 4 spd manual!