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Parked since ’78! 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340

Before you write off this compact Dart as a rusty basket-case, consider it’s an original Swinger 340 four-speed car in Hemi Orange with the black vinyl top and tail stripe. Despite being disassembled, this 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 in Hubbard, Oregon comes with its original numbers-matching engine and transmission, and most other parts as well. The seller knows the car well, holds a clean title, and all parts on hand come with the sale. The listing here on eBay has attracted at least one bid above $5000.

The Dodge Dart sales literature for 1970 features a friendly-looking young woman and the quote “If you won’t take small for an answer… you could be Dodge material.” How do you think that would go over today? The seller has known this car since the ’80s and describes it well, including pictures and details on rust and other shortcomings.

Only the Swinger 340 model received a floor shifter, period, three-speed by default, and only Swingers got this car’s optional four-speed. With the same basic power package as the E-body Trans Am racers, the Dart’s 275 HP 340 cid (5.6L) V8 and sub-3000 lb curb weight prove highly entertaining in stock form. For more smiles, simply build the 340 to higher numbers.

Usually this is where we describe how the awesome original motor is long-gone and make that sound like a good thing. However this car’s original 340 and four-speed come with the car; some assembly required. While the sales brochure says the Swinger 340 came with power disc brakes, this one apparently came with manual discs. Die-hard A-body fans won’t need any encouragement to see the potential here. What’s your opinion?

Comments

  1. Avatar Devin

    would look good hemi orange again

    Like 1
  2. Avatar Steve R

    It’s a fair starting bid for a more less complete, matching numbers 1970 340, 4spd Dart Swinger. It’s in the sellers name and he provided plenty of undercarriage pictures in order to establish the extent of the rust, which doesn’t appear to be too extensive. It would have been nice to see pictures of the engine, but he has a limited number of pictures he can use in the ad. I’ll be curious to see what it sells for.

    I wish more sellers would post ads like his.

    Steve R

    Like 12
  3. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Strange that rotten rail, when the rest of the car seems decent. Better than a lot of these. This baby had 10 1/2 :1 compression and are a tire fryer. Nice project for someone. Build that stock engine with the 4 speed. Love the orange overspray on the bottom of the tunnel. Good luck to the new owner, these things are a blast to drive!!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 11
    • Avatar Sandy Claws

      Why fry tires? Ya know, you could get a 4 speed with a 318, a better idea all around.

      Like 3
      • Avatar cunnanm

        The 340 is of the same family as the 318 and a monster in comparison.

        Like 12
      • Avatar Capriest

        The 318 is a great engine, but just NO. Not quite as bad as choosing say a 305 over a 350 since the 305 is a turd, but that at least made sense in say an IROC where it was the only way to get a manual. Whenever you have a choice between engines of the same/similar block in dimensions/weight you take the higher output version. The others are merely compromises for corporate number crunching or a different purpose altogether. Don’t confuse this with taking the largest displacement at all costs. I certainly wouldn’t take a 307 over a dz302 in a 69 camaro for example. Or a 3602bbl over a 340 4bbl obviously.

        Like 7
      • Avatar 36 Packard

        I think SC is on the right track. A 340 is the quickest LA engine, but it is very stressed and will break easily. A 318 will last much longer and run better, and get better mileage to boot. The speed limit on a highway is only 55 MPH, how much power do you really need?

        Like 3
      • Avatar Dave

        Modern thinking holds that an engine is nothing more than an air pump. The secrets are only partially in the bore and stroke dimensions. 340 has the same stroke as 318, IIRC, and while the bore is larger the valves, cam, carb, manifold, and exhaust system made the difference. Back then it was common to remove the goodies from a grenaded 340 and transplant them onto a junkyard 318. 22 inches of displacement don’t make that much difference.

        This philosophy works on any engine family. People may diss the 305-307 SBC but what happens if you put heads, carb, manifold, exhaust, and cam from Z28 on it?

        Like 2
    • Avatar Donnie

      These 340 Swingers were extremely fast.Very few big block MOPAR’s could keep up with the 340’s in the Darts, Baracudas and Challangers.One of the best small blocks ever built.

      Like 8
      • Avatar Sandy Claws

        Yes

        Like 2
  4. Avatar TimM

    For a car that was only on the road for 8 years I would say she was driven hard and put away wet!!!

    Like 10
  5. Avatar Troy s

    “If you won’t take small for an answer…you could be Dodge material.”
    Learn it
    Know it.
    Live it….
    Best tag line I never heard.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar 1CoolRide

    Loved my 70 340 4spd. Dart!
    Mine also had manual discs up front, four piston design- oh so fun to work on. The car was a holy terror on the street until it backed a torsion bar through the unit body. Damn tin worm!

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Maverick

    Why was it parked and taken part an left in pieces. To put it on the road isn’t going to be cheap . considering all the parts are missing over the years.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Terry Bowman

    I have a Dart Swinger 340 (auto) that looks in the same condition (apart, but all is there), power disks, steering and Ac. Not Hemi orange, but “Go – Mango”. I’m asking(want) $7,000.00. So the $5,000.00 bid is in the ball park, looking at it’s condition. I just hope the buyer will put it on the street again and not part it out, which is the main reason I’m firm on my price, with clean title.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Del

    Big A body fan.

    5 grand for this rusted non-running scrap is ridiculous

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Saul Member

    One look at that door latch/peg shows this thing went through the ringer in a very short amount of time. Hack job. I’m sure this car had a lot of snort during its short time roaming the streets as a young car. VIN tag has been popped off and laying on lovely shag carpet. Nostalgia reigns…but caveat emptor if that tag reveals anything shady!

    Like 1

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