There’s a solid attraction for classic cars that can be driven and enjoyed while the owner tackles any restoration work. They offer instant gratification, but the opportunity for that person to place their mark on the vehicle. That is the case with this 1969 Dodge Dart GT Convertible. The seller indicates that it has a few issues that the buyer will need to tackle, but these could be addressed as time, circumstances, and finances allow. Barn Finder Larry D has once again proven just how effective his radar is by spotting the Dart for us, so thank you for that, Larry. It is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has hit $9,800 at the time of writing, but this remains short of the reserve.

The owner admits that the Dart underwent a repaint in its original Code R6 Red, but this occurred many years ago. It continues to hold a good shine, while the White power top is also in good condition. He believes that the car might have received a light hit in the back corner at some point because the alignment of the trunk lid is out. However, there’s no evidence that it was a serious incident or that the car has undergone major repairs, so the buyer might be able to tweak the adjustment to get it right. The trim and chrome are in better than average condition for a survivor of this vintage, and the glass looks pretty nice. I haven’t been skirting the question of rust with this Dodge because what it has is relatively minor. There are a few bubbles in the lower extremities, with the worst appearing in the lower driver’s side rear quarter panel. Even that hasn’t progressed to the stage where it would justify panel replacement. A few well-crafted patches should see the problem consigned to the pages of history. As far as the vehicle’s underside is concerned, it is nothing but positive news. The floors, trunk pan, and frame rails are all structurally sound. It seems that tackling the rust might represent an excellent way to pass some time during the upcoming colder weather.

Lifting the hood reveals a 318ci V8, a 3-speed TorqueFlite transmission, and power steering. That 318 should be producing 230hp, which is enough to propel the GT through the ¼ mile in 16.1 seconds. That sort of pace is pretty respectable, especially with the wind running through your hair. The Convertible is a numbers-matching classic, and it appears that it is in generally sound mechanical health. The owner identifies a small transmission leak as warranting attention, while the exhaust is now pretty old. It seems that the transmission is in good health, and even though the owner has replaced the pan gasket, the leak persists. It sounds like pulling the transmission and treating it to a reseal could be money well spent. Replacing the exhaust shouldn’t break the bank, and the owner also recommends that the buyer have the vehicle serviced and inspected before they consider any extended journeys. The tires are new, and after a couple of pumps of the pedal, the Dart starts, runs, and drives well.

One of the disadvantages of owning a classic convertible is that it is almost impossible to hide any interior faults or flaws. This Dart has some, but they are the type that the buyer could address in their workshop over Winter. The bucket seats have some splits, while the rear seat shows evidence of UV damage. Neither problem would require immediate attention, although replacing the covers would make a marked improvement to interior presentation. A complete set of covers in the right material and color would lighten the buyer’s wallet to the tune of $1,000, and while that isn’t cheap, it would represent a one-off investment. Overall, the rest of the interior presents pretty nicely, with no significant problems to consider. Luxury touches include a console with the shifter poking through for the TorqueFlite, a pushbutton radio, and a remote driver’s mirror.

This 1969 Dart GT Convertible is a striking car, and even if the buyer leaves it untouched, it should still be capable of turning heads. Addressing its flaws should not cost an arm and a leg, and the finished product would look stunning. It represents the type of project that the buyer could tackle at their leisure, and in the hustle and bustle of daily life, that is never a bad thing. Do you have space in your workshop for this gem?