Well, to cut to the chase, this big-block-powered ’69 Dodge Dart GTS wasn’t born with its current powerplant. It is, however, according to its VIN, a genuine GTS variant – one of my favorites from Mopar’s performance years. And for that reason, among others, I’d like to review this Saint Johns, Arizona discovery. This Dart does have some interesting features, and it can be found here on eBay, where it’s available for a current, no-reserve bid of $7,800 with eighteen bids tendered as of this writing.
Dodge’s A-body Dart competed with Chevrolet’s Nova, Ford’s Falcon, Plymouth’s Valiant, and AMC’s Rambler in ’69, a crowded but popular marketing segment. Total Dart production reached 196K units that year, not too shabby, and spread across several trim levels, including Custom, Swinger, GT, and GTS. The total GTS body count, both hardtop and convertible, was 6,700 copies – rather uncommon!
The seller tells us, “The Dart has a very nice body, and I do not see any rust on it. The paint is faded/weathered esp. on the roof, deck lid, and hood. It is lifting in some areas. To be a really nice car, it will not need body work, just paint prep and a new top coat.” Also noted is this car’s mini-tubs and a statement of, “Hot Rod/ Project car…This Dart is a cool project for someone who wants to have a Hot Rod to play with, build a race car, and have some fun with, etc. Lots of work has been done to this Dart. This one has already been started, and you can finish to your tastes or use as a driver…“All in all, the exterior presentation is pretty fair; it definitely possesses a hot rod vibe, but it’s not too over the top.
As stated earlier, the VIN identifies this car as a 340 CI V8, powered GTS Dart, but that engine has been replaced with what may be a 383 CI V8 of unknown provenance. The seller claims, “It appears the car was originally a 340 (am not a Mopar guy), but now has a big block Mopar wedge. Pretty sure it is a 383.” I find that statement to be peculiar, as in did the seller buy this car just to flip, or did he purchase it without really knowing what he was getting? BTW, a 330 gross HP 383 CI powerplant was on the ’69 Dart order sheet, but this car’s VIN is precise in decoding this car as originally harboring a 275 gross HP, 340 CI motor in its engine compartment. Whatever the case, the seller suggests that the engine needs some tuning, specifically stating, “The Dart starts, charges, has good oil pressure, but needs some tuning to run properly.” A TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission backs up the mystery motor while front disc brakes bring it to a standstill.
The red vinyl upholstered bench seat interior is a surprise; I was expecting worse. I assumed something hot rod ratty would be in place, but that’s not the case. The seller adds, “The interior is not perfect, but very clean. Carpet is good, decent headliner. The door panels and seats have been recovered, match nicely, and are in very good condition. The Dart does not have a radio or a heater.” One interesting observation (at least I think so) is the design of the front seat back. Instead of being split into independent right/left sides, for rear seat entry, the entire backrest flips forward as one integrated piece – I don’t believe that I ever noticed that before with any other marque or model.
Back to that listing opening about having a hot rod to play with and something that would provide some fun, I would agree. At this point, I’d prefer to have a stock GTS with its fabulous 340 CI “LA” series engine, but if you’re looking for a potent project with a lot of potential, here you go! Any interest anyone?
Needs works but is not a overpriced Mopar.
I think that front seat is out of something else, like maybe a later 4 door model Valiant or dart. I don’t think that is ’69 seat. Are the 340 and 383 K-frames the same? I’m sure some of our more enlightened readers would know. I do like the red interior though. But if it needs a repaint, I would go with a different color, maybe silver? This one has a few unanswered questions, but if the price stays reasonable it could be worth it.
The seat is probably from a truck. That’s the only application of the hinged, tilting full/no split seat back that I’ve seen. Also, I don’t think Darts had the built in head rests in 69.
One of my High School buddies had a brand new 1969 Dart Swinger. 340, 4 speed, and I believe the front seat was identical ( or darn close ) to what his had. The pleats look right to me.The sticker was right at $ 3400.
Anyone else know of “Mr. Norm”? Anyone living within a 500 mile radius of Chicago, knew full well who he was. Facts off the screen, so feel free to correct. Norman Kraus, was the general manager of Grand-Spaulding Dodge in the 60s. He had a ton of high performance accolades to his credit. In ’67, he heard of a new car coming out from Dodge, that was supposed to be a Chevelle killer. The biggest motor Dodge offered in the new Dart was a 273. Mr. Norm didn’t feel that was good enough, and asked Dodge for a big block. They said it couldn’t be done, well, that was fodder for Mr. Norm. He told his service manager to stuff a 383, and apparently was no big deal. Dodge was so impressed, “look what us kids from the Windy City did to your Dart”, they sent 50 Dodge Darts to him, and the “GSS” was born. In ’68, they pushed it further, and installed 440s in the Darts, with a host of performance add-ons,,,for the whopping price of,,,are you sitting down? $3,495!! It was such a success, Dodge offered both 383 & 440 for 1969. Hemi Darts and 340/6 packs too, WITH WARRANTIES!! It was a heck of a time!
Mr Norm’s Grand Spaulding Dodge also offered a supercharged Duster 340 that was, IIRC, rated at 350hp. Their radio ads had me drooling every time it ran on WLS in Chi-town. Never saw one, never knew anyone who had one but it haunted my dreams and I knew one day, I would own one. (Never happened)
I did have Mr Norm’s mech dept perform their Dyno Tune on my 70 383 Coronet and 70 Charger 440. Not sure if it improved anything over a regular tune but it felt great driving off their lot.
All correct except no factory 340 6 pack A-bodies, only the GSD GSS cars for the 340 6-pack a-bodies.
The front end is a ’72 Valiant piece and so is the front seat. The 383 is a standard issue unit with 4-barrel carb. With the crazy prices of Mopars in any condition from these years, the ticket to get into this car isn’t bad. Look at it closely though, especially the frame given its front end swap.
The hood is also not a from a 69′ Dart, as well as the mid 70’s seats. Appears to be a 4-speed shifter, with an automatic pedal set-up. The K- members are different from the BB or RB blocks from the Small blocks, as well as the torsion bars. This car is a put together car to sell. A running car, $5,000. Too much to add to bring it back to an affordable GTS 340. I wonder if it still has the 8 3/4 rear. Can be made to be a fun ride, as long as too much money is not invested.
I have a 68 h code 383 number matching gts dart and the driver side motor mount on the block is forward of where the other blocks would be. From what I understand you have to have a correct block and k frame for the big blocks. It has to do with the steering box location. Very tight in there! Peace!
Where is this car located? I am interested.
Stated in the first paragraph, Saint Johns, Arizona.
JO
I had a friend just out of high school that had a ’69 GTS 383, and it was a runner. He wouldn’t back down from 396 Chevelles and Camaros, (although at time he should have) and the 383 Roadrunner and Superbee fella’s wouldn’t even try him. The car was a blast to drive. Also, I am nearly certain that his was a GTS, and not a GSS. I’m not a wizard with Mopar’s so I could be wrong, bit I don’t believe so.
The 340 was so much better in every way except childish and dangerous street racing. I had a 68 with a 318 and a stick, a wonderful car. Why you would ever need a big block monstrosity is beyond me.
I have a totaled 69′ Swinger 340/4spd looking for a body… Hope this stays realistic in price. Been sitting on “Mary”(original owners name for it) the last 10yrs or so. Would be nice to get this body. Luv GTS’s.
Howard, Norman Krause was the owner of Grand Spaulding Dodge, not the general manager.
Oldrodder, I think the GSS was a 340 six-Pac and made only one year in a \Duster, 71′. I may be wrong but, I’m close with that information.
Terry, Grand Spaulding did put out a six pack 340 ’71 Duster, but I believe that the GSS was a.factory 440 Dart.
I had a friend that bought a 440 69 Dart, new and I’m sure it was a GTS model.
Called “M” code GTS. Around 950 or so made. 1969 0nly. Steering range was limited too.
My previous answers about the big block Dart’s were not completely correct. I have since been speaking with a big time Mopar guy that I happen to know and here’s his take on it. The GTS designation were factory 340 and 383 cars, and the GSS was a dealer built 440 available from Grand Spaulding Dodge. He doesn’t believe that the factory ever offered a Dart with a 440.
Ad for GSS Supercharged Demon/Duster:
https://www.usacarworld.com/member-blog-posts/dodge-gss-supercharged-demon#google_vignette
1967-68′-69′(383), 1969(440), 1968(426 Hemi), Dodge Darts
Boy, I should have never gotten into this Mopar thing as I again have answered a question about the big block Dart incorrectly. Cold340T is correct. The factory did offer the 440 as a “M” code GTS in ’69, but the GSS was only available from Grand Spaulding Dodge.
Again, to repeat myself, the GSS was an aftermarket dealer built (Grand Spaulding Dodge) 71′ Duster Six Pac 340, not a 440. I’m not 100%, been a while for me. I know it’s one or the other. LOL Wish someone would chime in and set me straight.
I don’t believe that there is any disagreement about that.
Not a Duster, but a Demon. They sold Dodge, not Plymouth.
There were other GSS models from GSD. The 1972 Supercharged Demon GSS: With factory performance dropping due to emissions, Mr. Norm saw an opportunity, adding a Paxton supercharger to the 340 engine, boosting it from ~240hp to around 360hp.
To the bidders who outbid me on this 69′ GTS with 68′ GTS hood… Thank you. Even with all the parts needed to return it to period 340 glory. Going over $10k was too much. But, next time cold340 bids will get the car. Good luck to the buyer. Enjoy, fewer GTS made/sold then 340 Swingers. This final GTS year.
If you want speed, go with the Swinger. If you want style, go with the GTS.