Plum Crazy with a numbers-matching 340. That’s just music to my ears when it’s a 1970 Dart Swinger we’re talking about, one of the many fine offerings you could find if you were lucky at your local Dodge dealer back in the days when a quick car didn’t cost you an arm and a leg. The Dart was somewhat smaller than lots of the other choices from that time period, with engine options including a pair of slant-sixes, a 318 V8, or the 340 being the top dog for ’70. The previous year, a buyer could go all the way up to a 383, but I’m guessing the Dodge boys reckoned keeping the big block available may interfere with their new Challenger in the muscle car segment, so they dropped that one after ’69. This 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger here on eBay is in Anderson, California, and it certainly ticks a lot of the right boxes. So far, bidding is up to $24,600, not enough to drive it home as the reserve hasn’t yet been reached.
Talk about the right stuff- the LM23 package got it for you. The seller still has the window sticker breaking down the LM details, which included a 340 4-Barrel, a 3-Speed manual transmission, dual exhaust, heavy-duty suspension, front disc brakes, and heavy-duty shocks, and that’s just in the performance department! The seller says this one is still equipped with the numbers-matching 340 which has just been rebuilt, with a photo showing some of the stuff it’s been treated to. The original 3-Speed has been replaced with an overhauled 4-Speed, with both the motor and tranny having only 5 miles since completion. The seller still has the original transmission, in case the next owner wants it.
We don’t get a lot of information about the car’s body, other than the seller mentioning that both the paint and metal are in nice shape. The window sticker does indeed indicate a High-Impact color, in this case, FC7, or Plum Crazy, a fan favorite in Moparland along with its Plymouth counterpart In Violet. No word on how old the finish is, but it presents decently from every angle we can see, although the one thing as far as appearance goes I might have to axe are those shackle extenders on the rear leaf springs. Package LM23 also got you the performance hood with dual air scoops, which must look pretty intimidating for a Dart when you see them coming up in your rearview mirror.
Perhaps I’m in the minority here, but I always thought it was cool when a floor-shifted manual muscle car included a bench seat. Yeah, I like buckets and a console too, but such a basic interior like this one just seemed so business-like for the more-go-than-show mindset. The inside is in nice driver-quality condition and features a cool rally instrument panel. I’m curious to see how much higher the price will have to rise before this one reaches attainable status, or if it will even make it that far. What are your thoughts on this 340 Dart Swinger?
What’s not to like?
This was the car that guy you knew, whose dad owned a gas station, he worked evenings, and dad helped the kid out to buy a cool car. No big block nonsense, just a simple V8, manual trans Dodge Dart,,,WRONG, pops, this was a fast car. And simple, I mean, look at it and the,,,8 wires under the hood, very few options. At under $3grand new, it was the gateway to speed for many, and Chrysler knew it. This car did the 1/4 in 14.9@93 mph. 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. It didn’t take much to get these into the high 13s, stuff a pump jockey could easily do. For once I’ll say, if into this, you won’t find a nicer one.
And the automatics were faster than the four speeds.
I agree with Howard. These and the Falcon Sprint, and the Chevy Nova, small block V8, and manual transmissions, then a few weekends adding some speed parts. It was alway satisfying when we took one of these and beat the pants off the neighborhood rich kid with his big block Charger or Chevelle that daddy had bought for him. This is a very nice Dart, I would love to have it in my garage!
One of my all time favorite muscle cars. I remember back in the day one like this showed up at the local hang out, green w/black stripe and the same hood. That car was hitting real hard, not a very stock 340. Had some Hoosier tires without the DOT #’s on them, (standing rule was show up with mufflers and DOT tires and you could always get a race). After a heated trash talking session between the owner and one of the local street racers, the Dart went home to change tires. Don’t know whatever happened…..I had a curfew and had to go home!! (lol!!!!).
For the same price point today or 2 weeks ago your in the 1971 Corvette LS5 4 speed territory ! So just something to think about! Bang for your buck I’m with the Rat!
You’re not going to get an LS6 Corvette for under 30 grand. I am quite frankly surprised the bidding is this low with only a few hours to go.
Sorry, you said LS5. But whatever. You would still not be close at 25k for any pre-1973 C3 big block, unless it was a basket case.
Could go as high as $38K before sold. quite a lot of bids on it. Car has good provenance (i.e. window sticker build sheet etc.) to back up claims. Repainted same color with the exception of the 4 speed car is just about how it came off the assembly line back in the day. Warming up the 340 adds to the fun of driving it, still should go with pump gas, too!
Cool 😎 Dart 🎯
Had a ’69, 4spd brand-new. 10.5 to 1 compression ratio. Mom co-signed for it but making $1.00 per hour back then made the payments ‘tough’. Over my many years, had 4 more but I could never get pump-gas to stop causing pinging as gas quality declined in the eighties and ninties. Amazing now with modern technology, regular ‘grocery-getters’ are just as fast.
You could have had hardened valve seats put in the heads and it would have solved your problem. They took the lead out.
Really nice car! But, if it doesn’t have a white stripe the hood scopes should be black. Again a very awesome beautiful example of our growing up years.
Nice hot rod. Underneath shots would be a bonus. Can’t say I have ever seen disc brakes with no power assist.
Not sure about the spring shackles?
When restored 340 Cudas were pushing 35K, I thought that was a lot. But these are taking it’s place.
I like this car far better than a Nova.
First new car i ever bought was a 70 Duster 340. 4 speed, buckets, console, A/C, 3.73 limited slip rear. Added cold air intake (scoops under front bumper, not hood scoop) and cheater slicks. Turned 13.60s in quarter. Best car i ever had. Wrecked 3 times (none my fault or result of racing). Wish I still had it. Building a big block Nova that I hope is as nice!
Uncle had a red 340 swinger convertible. I will Always remember riding with him, the wife, 2 kids, and me going to a small lake for a swim in nw minnesota on a hot summer day with the top down of course. 10 miles of curvy rural 2 lane tar roads. I was about 10. Car handled sweet with the factory options.
Never remember them producing a convertible.If you have a picture share it …Thankzzz
yeah nice car but I see enough wrong with it that it shouldn’t get much higher in the price, it’s a nice driver quality car with doc’s that’s it. just my thoughts
Nice Dart!.Started with Chrysler Corp in the 70’s and remember all of the cool cars.But please,please get rid of that plastic fuel filter!I won’t use them.GLWS!!
Odd the Monroney Label charges TWICE for the 3 speed all-syncro floor shift which was standard on the Dart Swinger 340.
Second anomaly, the tachometer shown in the eBay listing must have been added since it was optional and not listed on the Monroney. Of course, the rally wheels are on the car and not the “deluxe” hubcaps listed on the Monroney. Great car and bit of automotive history.
IMHO, lose the ladder bars, but get some buckets and a floor console. These go with a four speed like ice cream and apple pie. But, I admit it is a nice looking Dart. My money would be in a GTO or a Nova/Chevelle though. Good comments on this one!
Hey, a stick and bench seat was the smart move for young guys. Have your latest honey snuggled up to you, throw a big shift to 2nd and whoops! …sorry, my hand slipped off.
That never worked for me as my girl liked to curl up to me and her knees would be what my hand would land on.
Charlie Brown and I had a lot in common way back then!! 🤣🤣🤣
I had a 70 Duster 340 as well and I agree they were fast cars for their day. I ordered it with a 4 speed and 3.91 limited slip rear end. Added Hooker headers, Accel dual point and Hurst linkage but unfortunately never took it to the track.
i had a 68 dart conv with what they called a super bee pkg bee strips and all 340 the fastest car iu ever owned
one only 221 made
I’m drooling
Manual steering here, i believe.
Why dodge & plymouth got rid of this instrument cluster in ’71 & never offered a tach for the rest of that decade is beyond me.
In regards to this style dash cluster…100% AGREED!
Maybe another attempt to skirt the insurance companies’ definition of a muscle car – eliminate the tach?????
Or maybe to discourage higher revving – thereby lower emissions & raising mpg?
The tach in later ’70s firebird 400s actually has a lower redline than those in ’74s – virtually the same engine.