The fourth generation of the Dodge Dart was produced from 1967-76, but that would only be its second run as a compact. Changes were minimal during this period, so the cars were consistent from year to year. The Dart Swinger preceded the Demon as a sporty version of the automobile, including this 1972 edition. This car has been in the same family since new and has seen its fair share of use but continues to soldier on. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this Dodge can be found here on craigslist for $10,000. Thanks, Pat L., for another vintage Mopar find!
The Swinger only came as a 2-door hardtop and was a popular seller in the Dart lineup, accounting for 119,618 units in 1972 alone, outselling the fastback Demon by a margin of 3 to 1. As the story goes, the seller’s grandfather ordered the car when new, and it was passed on down the line over the years. The odometer has turned over once and now reflects 148,000 miles. Lately, it’s been down to only 2 or 3 outings a month.
A common engine found in these cars is the 225 cubic-inch “Slant-Six” and that’s what’s under the hood of this one. It’s the original and has never been opened past the valve covers (these motors are dependable). It’s paired with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission and front disc brakes. The car is up for being a daily driver if that’s your goal or use it for weekends car club outings.
The body and paint are in okay shape for the age, with a few little dings and scratches, although the driver’s side front fender has a nice dent. The green vinyl top looks good with no signs of bubbling underneath which is usually the undoing of these roofs. Parts of the interior are tired, with the carpeting being off-color and a couple of rips in the front seat bottom. But these could be easily addressed. In Good condition, Hagerty suggests these are $7,500 cars. If you can get the seller to talk turkey, this could be a nice, simple car to have.
It looks like a good, honest, iconic Mopar from the era. Love a slanty.
It’s nice to see these ‘everyman’ cars getting the attention they deserve now.
Reminds me of my high school parking lot in the early 70s.
That 225 slant six that Chrysler used during this time-frame was a great little engine. That and the 318 V8 were two of the best engines around. Durable and dependable (until 1975 when they started slapping emissions junk on them and smothering them).
This is a nice little Dart. The upholstery and a few other things need attention, but it looks solid.
My wife’s great Aunt bought one of these brand new. It was the same color, but had a black vinyl top. The interior was mostly black, with black and white hounds-tooth cloth inserts. When she passed back in the late 80’s, it was still a really nice little car.
I told my wife we needed to replace the “leaning tower of power” with a built 440, paint the letters “Spirit of Aunt Nina” on the side and take it drag racing. She just shook her head in disapproval. Probably worked out for the best :~)
Nya, nya, nya, nya, nya.
This is a pretty car! GLWTS
Just like my first car, but mine had a 318.
Great cars,I had owned several of these through the years,including a 72 that looked just like that one.I have a 70 with a slant six,and working on freshening it up,it has 72000 miles on it.Great cars!
These are good cars, but no way is it worth $10,000. Seller is dreaming.
I used to sell these. I don’t remember these seats with these inserts..but it has been 50 yrs…lol. I must ask this…what is the attraction with this car that the seller would want $10k? And the body has scratches and dings and a dent? A rip in the seats and faded carpeting? And 148,000 miles on a ’72 Dart is a lot of miles. Maybe it’s just me, but no one in my family would want to be seen behind the wheel of this car at any price.
Front seat armseats! Woooow
I really like this car, leaning tower of power & all! If I were already living in Arizona, this car would be on its way to my house. Since I’m still in Milwaukee, and I’m pretty strapped for cash at the moment, it’s not gonna head my way at this time. I’m pretty bummed about that.
If you were able to pay them the $10k they want, they’d probably deliver it right to your door with a big red bow on it.
Even if they would deliver it, I still can’t swing that right now. Sure wish I could. It really brings back some memories for me.
They would probably charge you for the ribbon. This car new sold for the neighborhood of $3000.00. No electronic ignition, have to adjust valve lash ( I forget the mileage interval) As far as Anthony D said these are the original cloth seats with the Houndstooth cloth inserts and fold-down center armrest. This was for the Highline Swinger model in 1972. I know as I had a 1972 Dart Swinger in Gunmetal Gray with the BLUE Houndstooth interior,318 V8 and optional electronic ignition, pwer front disc brakes. heavy duty suspension, and all the factory moldings they offered.
Oh yes one more comment: Why doesn’t the seller show us the “NICE DENT ” in the driver’s front fender? This feature ( The Custom Metalwork) probably justifies the asking price.
I dont think the seller knows as much about this car as he thinks. No slant 6 came with a 727, it would be a 904 . The car may have front discs, but it should still have the standard 9 inch rear brakes – no slant 6 car had an 8 3/4 posi. I have no idea what hideaway seats are ; these are just the higher line bench seat , nothing amazing there. I doubt it was even an ordered car, these cars sold like hotcakes ,and every Mopar dealership had tons of A bodies on the lot ,from your base 198 cu in manual transmission stripper, to the Swinger 340 . Its a nice car, not 10Gs worth, but if the guy doesn’t know what hes talking about, who knows what he missing
Upon closer look at the engine compartment and the heater hoses, each hose has a funny-looking valve added to them. They look like plumbing shut-off valves used for toilets. This leads me to believe that this car has a leaky heater core that requires replacement. Look for the owner to provide further comment on this condition. I know these valves were not standard assembly plant parts, it is amazing what kind of owner engineering these people come up with.