The 1960s was the decade of the youth movement. And no U.S. car company promoted it better than Dodge (remember “The Dodge Rebellion”?). One of the many products they rolled out was the Swinger, a hip version of the Dart 2-door hardtop. The year was 1969, and you could get a Swinger from mild to wild (a Slant Six up to a 340 cubic inch V8). The Swinger would hang around through 1976 when Dodge retired the Dart compact (though without the 340). The seller has a 1974 Swinger with a 318 cubic inch V8 with some unusual trim adjustments here and there. Located in Winthrop, Washington, this driver is said to run well and is available here on craigslist for $15,000.
The final generation of the Dart ran from 1967 to 1976, and you could get either a GT or GTS hardtop or convertible in the earlier years if you wanted, style, muscle, or both. But the emphasis on performance shifted to the Dart Demon, which debuted in 1971. It was Dodge’s version of the popular Plymouth Duster fastback. That same year, Plymouth got their version of the hardtop Swinger that they badged as the Scamp. The Demon would become the Dart Sport in 1973, as the name apparently ruffled some feathers with members of the Clergy.
Few details and photos are offered of this Mopar. It might be safe to assume that some work has been done on the engine, but no such references are made. Someone got carried away with gold paint, applying it not only to the valve covers but also to the coolant overflow container as well as the plastic box for the windshield washer fluid. But the interior is off, too, with the door panels having been replaced with plain, drab materials, and the instrument cluster and the surrounding area are now made of aluminum.
The black paint seems fine with no signs of rust, and the wheel covers are of the stock variety, so was the idea to turn this Dodge into a sleeper? Besides the 318 (which provided okay power with the emissions controls of the day), the Dart has a column-shifted TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Does this Dodge swing your way? Thanks go to “Curvette” again for another tip!
Overpriced, $15,000 for a car with bare bones homemade instrument cluster, door panels, radio block off and detailing items in the engine compartment. That stuff is fine for a low buck build, but doesn’t equate to a premium selling price.
Steve R