Hoping to add some pizazz to its somewhat stodgy compact, the Dart, Dodge added the Swinger model in 1969. It was a 2-door hardtop that looked sporty compared to the previous 2-door sedans. It was a red-hot purchase in 1970, with 120,000 copies getting into the hands of the buying public. This ’70 Swinger is a rather basic car with the famous 225 cubic inch Slant-Six engine and a TorqueFlite automatic transmission. It’s a single-family car that’s well-preserved with 75,000 miles on the clock. Located in Leitchfield, Kentucky, this little winner is available here on eBay. The asking price is $16,500.
The Dart became Dodge’s compact entry in 1963, replacing the Lancer nameplate. The car was redesigned in 1967 along with the Plymouth Valiant which rode on the same platform. That arrangement would continue through 1976 when the pair was replaced by the Aspen/Volare duo. The Dart received a facelift in 1970, and it continued to be a worthy adversary to the Chevy Nova, Ford Maverick, and AMC Hornet. The 198 cubic inch Slant-Six was standard but most buyers looking for economy opted for the 225 as in the seller’s car.
We’re told that this Dodge is original except for one repaint in the original color. The body seems to be rust-free, and the green paint is nice and shiny. The same can be said of the interior, which looks practically new. This automobile looks like it could be a sleeper, but it’s not. The Swinger 225 isn’t going to keep up with any Swinger 340, but it has decent performance. We owned a ’74 Dart Sport once with this set and it was okay, even with more emissions doodads.
If you’re looking for a sharp set of wheels for Cars & Coffee and the like and don’t care about lightning-fast performance, this Dart should get its share of second looks. And these cars are known to run forever if they’re well-maintained, which seems to be Mopar’s claim to fame. As the seller says, “Fly in and drive this car home!”
One Family 👪 that took care.
Car was made in Canada 🇨🇦
Just under 3000lbs, 1-barrel Holley, 215lb/ft @2400.
2.76 gear ⚙️ std, 3.23, 3.55 optional.
Great summary. Pictures are always good.
It’s an awesome bread-and-butter econo 2-door of the period. I love it.
They were everywhere in Ohio when I was just a lad. And I owned many used Darts from the 63-66 era, and my Dad traded in his 66 Monaco for a new 73 Dart, so I know how reliable these cars were. We drove them until they rusted into the ground, which they did.
Price-wise it seems a bit high. I would think 7-8K would be the range, but what do I know?
We used to pay .50 to hit these Darts with a sledgehammer, at the local home days. Gosh, the fun memories…
I’d call this the “before” car. I can hear it now, oh no, Grammy grams, I’ll take care of it, said the snotty nose grandson. And take care of it, he did. That old rusty Dodge wagon over yonder for $100 bucks, donated the 440, and the 6 went missing. It was their rendition of Mr. Norms Dart, and was a heck of a toboggan ride while it lasted.
That was then, this is now, and just a great vintage car, again, I fear the price will exclude many that may want something like this, but what is clear, these will continue to come out of the garages across America for years to come.
My first car was a 71 Scamp same car, same color but with a vinyl top. Was a pretty good car until it got t-boned. I wish I could say the same for the 73 Duster that replaced it.
was it some long used old car? Other than sheet metal ,there’s not much difference between a 71 and a 73 A body
71 was pre electronic ignition and was able to run in the rain. 73 not so much.
Grandpap took really good care of this one!
This is exactly the type of car I will spend much time around at a car show. These out numbered the performance cars at least ten to one. We all had something like this. We all have memories of something like this. Muscle cars (supercars back then) are okay, but if I was of the age to be buying more cars instead of slowly letting mine go one by one, this is what I would buy. This is what we all want to gab about at a show.
I’m 100% with you Curt! When I go to a car show, the muscle cars usually just get a glance as I walk by. It’s these cars, along with the British and other odd cars, that I spend time checking out.
I can’t believe it…. not one post wanting to rip out the slant six and turn it into a hot rod. The BF readers must be growing up.
This is such a beauty. I’d hate to see it destroyed.
Did you see my post? I’m almost 70 and will never “grow up”!
Yes. I’ve noticed that before. Nothing to be proud of.
Or Shut Up.
Nice ride I had a 72 probably one of my biggest complaints was the distributor sat so low it was a pain in the but to lean over the fender and reach down to set the points.
However, the leaky valve cover gasket kept it from rusting.
It’s such nice car it would be a shame to replace that slant 6 and add a back white stripe. But I’d do it.
I would jump on this in a NY minute if it was 3 or 4pm manual.
3 or 4pm? I didn’t know transmissions were time oriented.
That’s what I get for typing and watching the clock at the same time. Good thing I wasn’t typing and driving (LOL)
Perfect candidate for a hot rod. Plain, dog-dish & black walls, de-chromed stock sleepers are a bunch of fun. Few years ago I seen a similar not as perfect but rust free 70’s Dart slant 6, 3 spd. column on an obscure auction site while searching online for something else. Very little interest from bidders, the car sold for $1600 hammer price, even with higher than usual buyer fees, the total just over $1750.
I’ll echo what was already said: these were great little cars, easy and inexpensive to drive and maintain, quite economical, and had nearly indestructible drive-line components (if you kept the little Torqueflite’s bands adjusted). I concur with several of you who said you’re drawn to these rather than muscle cars at shows. I drove vehicles like this and have an affinity for simple and economical, and never drove a muscle car because I couldn’t afford it back then, nor did I need a “hobby car” instead of a reliable daily driver. That having been said, I would hate to see this car corrupted by modifications. I hope the buyer will keep it as-is and enjoy it for what it represents–a car well-matched to the driving public’s needs in its day. Drive it on secondary roads on mild summer days with the windows rolled down and relive the past!
I guess that’s part of the reason these are so attractive at car shows. So many idiots have destroyed the few remaining ones that they are much rarer than any muscle car. I hate to see anyone destroy a car like this
The Dart Swinger was a great car in its day. My mom’s first new car was a 72 model similar to the pictured car. It became my first car several years later. Did not like damp weather, but otherwise a great compact. Upgraded to Aspen, what a disappointment.