With the hood scoops and cool paint job this 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger is wearing, it’s easy to get a first impression that there might be something menacing hiding in the engine compartment. However, this one’s sort of the opposite of a sleeper, as it’s powered by a Slant 6, but it does have a couple of aftermarket parts that up the ante a bit in terms of performance. The seller says this Mopar will not disappoint at the price point it is being offered, with the opening bid of $9,500 yet to be placed, or the car can be yours right now for a buy-it-now cost of $14,500. This 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger can be found here on eBay, and it’s located in Bronston, Kentucky, should you want to take an in-person look first.
From the outside appearance, I would have expected some sort of a V8 here, but the Slant 6 does have a couple of positives going for it. First, the engine is of the 225 cubic-inch variety and not the smaller 198 displacement, so at least it has a bit more capability than the base motor, albeit only 10 additional horsepower. Second, an Aussiespeed intake manifold has been added with a Holley 390 cfm carburetor on top, so there’s probably some extra pep here over the stock configuration. This one’s also equipped with an automatic transmission.
At some point in the past, this Dart was damaged in the right front area, but the owner states that the necessary repairs have already been made. The body presents well, and the panels appear to all now be straight, although one area of bubbling is mentioned under the vinyl top near the rear sail area. The Rallye wheels and BF Goodrich white letter tires look right at home here, and this one seems in better than acceptable condition on the outside for a nice driver.
Nothing inside is disappointing either, with the seats, dash, carpeting, and instruments all appearing to remain in fine shape. One thing the seller does point out is that this car comes with a rebuilt title, as it has been damaged in the past, but with the quality of workmanship I’m seeing here, that’s probably not too much of an issue. This one seems like a fun cruiser, and I’m guessing somebody’s going to place a bid here before the auction is over. What are your thoughts on this 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger?
I see aftermarket air conditioning so this is a sensible daily driver if you needed a 1 car does all approach. I like it a lot but I need something that tows so a Cummins 12 valve is more my flavor of classic rig scene lol
Drop the Cummins diesel in the Swinger and you would have the best of both worlds.
Really nice looking car but, I think I would get rid of the hood scoops.
Why? The fake forced air induction provides optimum performance for a slant six. At least a 100 HP increase. ; )
Not a lot of effort required, to make these hood scoops functional.
Put some 3.91s in the back and surprise a few people off the stoplight.
slant 6 with a 4bbl. really?
Not news on 4v and other serious upgrades for the 225.
Dealers in the early 60’s had offered the “Hyper Pak” parts kit, which consisted of a very-long-ram intake manifold meant to accept an AFB 4-barrel Carter Carburetor … the 225 is an extremely reliable engine that has early racing success, and industry built around upgrades.
I saw a nice upgraded 225 in a Duster at a Georgia, AMD car show with Holley 390 cfm 4 barrel, headers and dual exhaust. I was impressed.
I’m not sure, but IIRC, I think there might also be an intake manifold out there that allows the use of triple Webers on a Slant Six! I don’t remember where I saw it, but I’ll try a Google search to see if I’m not just going senile, LOL! Of course, if you really want triple Webers on it, you could always fabricate a manifold for yourself!
Also, from 1961-63, IIRC, Chrysler made an aluminum block version of the Slant Six! They made over 52k examples of the aluminum version, but they’re as rare as hen’s teeth now! See link below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Slant-6_engine
Very nice example! I wouldn’t change a thing, with the current uncertainty regarding fuel prices this unit will perform adequately in modern traffic and deliver decent economy.
Unless the front clip has been replaced, this is a ’71 Dart. The only difference between the ’70 and the ’71, at least in the front end, is where the DODGE call outs were placed…in 1970, it was script in the middle of the hood, in 1971, it was block lettering at the left leading edge of the hood. The placement and number of taillights were changed between 1970 and 1971….one on each side in ’70 and two on each side in ’71. That bumper style was retained until the 1974 refresh. In 1972, the style of the grille was changed to more of a “wrap” style.
I love the car…..I’d just change the hood out because I think the hood scoops look silly. Just my nickels worth…..
Sidemarker lights are 1972 and later style.
It’s a ’72 with a ’71 grille. A ’70 and ’71 grille are the same except for the paint (’70 being all silver and ’71 adding the black accent in the center sections).
I went into the eBay entry and it is serialed as a ’72. So, either they couldn’t find a ’72 grille for the car, or the owner liked the ’71 grille over the ’72. Kind of makes you wonder, though, how bad the damage to the fender was if they ended up replacing the grille and maybe the hood………
Granny’s car, with hood scoops, a tail stripe, and road wheels. And, a salvage title! All for $14,500. Such a deal.
nice car it would be very nice with a hellcat motor in it very nice looking car
Love it!
I checked, it’s not a triple carb setup, but a dual Weber intake with a matching header! See link below.
https://cliffordperformance.net/store/ols/products/08-7001-mopar-225-twin-weber-38-fuel-delivery-system
FYI, this is the same outfit that makes a replacement/retrofit four-barrel intake for the Pontiac OHC six-cylinder engine, seen on “Roadworthy Rescues”.
Robert Atkinson, Jr.
Clifford (6=8) has been doing crazy/great things for most 6 cylinder engines for a long time. Headers, camshafts, intake manifolds, heads and all other related stuff. Saw an old Lancer that the owner bought virtually, everything that was in the catalog for his slant six. He had 3.91gears, a 4 speed (3 plus overdrive) from an Aspen and all the upgraded brakes from the same Aspen. He had KYB gas adjust shocks, front and rear swar bars and a very nice exhaust system. That car flew and handled to boot. And was still getting mid 20s fuel economy. It was a very cool car.
And they’re in the wilds of Maine, LOL!
96 Blackguard Road, Waterford, Maine 04088, United States
I did not think it was so cool when my grandpa had one in 1980 but this one is really cool and clean. I like the hood scoops. I put them on a 1974 Dodge 200 to help cool it down 25 years ago. The old engines do run hot on this junk gas especially in traffic so maybe cut the hood out and they will work.
SOLD for $10,701.