Are we past the height of the patina craze yet? Or is this fashionable trend in the world of vintage cars and trucks still going strong? The seller of this 1962 Dodge Dart 440, available here on Craigslist in Waterloo, New York for $4,000, is banking on the latter. The ad is short on details but in case you missed it in the featured photo, this car has “GREAT NATURAL PATINA” according to the seller. Cleverly staging the ad’s first few photos by featuring the Dart under a partially pulled back cover, the seller does a pretty good job of enticing one to continue scrolling in hopes of getting a full view of this classic. The effort is worth it as there are a good number of pictures provided of the car from numerous angles, and there sure is plenty to take in.
Since there doesn’t look to be visible body rot I’m speculating this car acquired its signature patina look in a warm/dry climate and not in Upstate New York – or the Northeast for that matter. Speaking of the body, it looks solid and in the ad the seller makes no mention of rust whatsoever. It would be nice to get a look at the underside for verification, however there are no pictures provided. I like the raised white letter look of the tires, but those newer rims seem to clash with the patina theme. For some reason the front bumper has been removed altogether and the rear chrome replaced with an interesting pair of tubes. Those dual exhausts really look awesome but unfortunately my eye is drawn to the word “Hemi” that’s oddly fixed to the rear of the car above the Dodge insignia. As for the driver side door, is it original or a replacement? The paint just doesn’t seem to match.
The 318 V-8 looks a little tired. Patina on the exterior of a car is arguably appealing, but rusty valve covers and a corroded engine block are not. Also disappointing is the amount of oil residue visible in the photo which reveals the motor is in need of new seals and gaskets at the least. The underside of the hood shows quite a bit of rust scale as well, but it seems to be limited to just the surface and hasn’t significantly compromised the metal. The seller lists mileage at 92,000 and mentions the car “runs and drives,” a casual statement that doesn’t exactly instill a whole lot of confidence in this car’s potential.
The 440 was the top trim level for the Dart in ’62 and included additional chrome trim and deluxe upholstery with a center armrest. This is the only photo provided of the interior and the condition of the front bench seat isn’t known due to the seat cover, but the backrests appear to be in decent shape. There is some wear on the edges of the center armrest and significant damage to the trim on the upper portion of the driver side door. It looks like the carpeting was removed, revealing the black rubber floor covering that was standard in lower trim offerings. I’m confused by the green color of the dash though. Is it original or a replacement? More information is needed to accurately assess the potential of this second generation Dart. All things considered, its patina might very well be the best thing going for it.
It’s funny how nowadays ‘rust’ is claimed as a good thing when reworded as ‘natural patina’
I hear ya. I’m so sick of that word, it’s not even funny. The most worn out word in the English dictionary. doesn’t mean anything anymore.
Close to zero on the desirability scale, $1,500 on a good day. Too many doors, mismatched paint on the lower portions of the drivers side suggest previous or current rust, which wasn’t addressed in the ad.
Steve R
Please put the cover back on……it’s ugly.
I mean, new, they looked really odd-ballish, but all in all, not too bad. But what the hell happened to this car? Sissy bars in the back? Front bumper removal? Really hard to look at.
Why do the writers continuously use the word patina after complaining about its usage???
I love the car btw…
The phrase “original paint” sounds much more professional than the overuse of the P word.
Sorry if this seems personal, not my intent.
I love what you said. You are preaching to the choir my friend. Enough with this dam word already.
“Wait until see what I’ve got in the garage”. You see the cover and that shape and brace yourself. Then the cover comes off and you then wonder why they bothered to cover. ..then you have to pretend that it’s kinda cool so you don’t hurt their feelings
You make a great point! Now that I see the car cover it is kinda funny though.
Hey! This was my first car, gifted to me by my Dad! Glossy black, gray interior. I learned a lot about cars while maintaining it. Customized the front grille, by painting the recessed fins black, don’t care for the mods on the featured car. This car was also the one in which I had my first accident (T-boned a drunk driver who obviously “didn’t see me” entering the intersection he decided to cross!, oh, and did I mention, he ran off?!) I learned body work, by replacing the damaged fender/hood/bumper to return it to full operational status. The car is still in my family (a nephew has it now). :-)
Not a fan of the “p-word”. I have a 62′ Dart 330 Sedan that I have been working on. I bought it because it is so bizarre looking it’s almost cool! (well, to me it is!) A friend said clear coat it and leave it – I’m glad I painted it. Amateur restoration, but fun to drive with its “Leaning Tower of Power”!
I for 1 am glad you painted it. You did a nice job Jerry and I think it looks great ! I like seeing these cars restored. Brings back a lot of memories. It may sound foolish to some but back in 62 these cars looked like something futuristic to me.
Thanks Greg!
both Dodge and Plymouth of this model looked great ( too many to list) back in the day some guy ( IDK how old he was, was in my pre teens then) had a black Dart like this one with dual exhaust hanging out the back, while doing a boy scout car wash early spring he brought it in for a ” wash” and as he left the rumble from that engine had me hooked, as he pulled out onto a busy road he gave it the gas and heard it till it was out of sight , and also like the Plymouth too also around the same time period some farmer had a Plymouth sitting in high grass , had a $50 price tag for it, my parents wouldn’t go for it
In a bizarre way this is a pretty good looking car Jerry. Love the color keyed rims and dog dish hub caps. Dad had a ’63 330 Sedan, DK BL. The thing I’d admire that if you had any desire to take the Dodge to a car cruise, or show, this would definitely., without question be the only one there. I’d pass right on by the Corvettes and Chevelle SS to admire the Dodge. Many good years with it
Thanks, Ken. It drives nicely. I can’t wait to get it on the road this fall. Jerry
This is the Dart – before…
Find the bumpers, dump the mexican blanket, and PAINT THE DAMED THING.
You either love or hate the styling of these Dodges. They are very rare, even the four-door models. The front and rear bumpers are very flimsy and lightweight, as are the bumper braces, so they get torn up easily and replaced or left off, like this one. Yes, this one is over-priced but very solid looking. The radio speaker grilles and the dash pad in front of the passenger deteriorate quickly if left in the sun, so it appears that this one has had those items replaced (different colors). There is an additional trim level above the 440: The Polara 500, which was Dodge’s answer to the Ford Galaxie XL and the Chevy Impala SS. I recently restored my 1962 Polara 500, which is a mid-year 4-door hardtop model, quite rare with about 3,000 made. This is a very quick car with its light weight and the 361 four-barrel. It was a difficult car to restore due to body and trim parts being almost impossible to find. I still have a 440 4-dr. sedan parts car with good running 318 drive train–anybody need it?
Pete – Very nice car and nice work! I agree with all your comments!! Jerry
Pete – very nice car and nice job. Agree with all your observations! — and because it is a 1-year model – everything is a hunt to find!
Jerry, what a beautiful interior and even factory A/C! My black Polara 500 sold new in central Texas and lacks A/C.
I have shares a 1964 model, the problem is the rust under the grill just in front of the windscreen, it had to be cut out and remanufactured, it has a 360 power plant and L.S.D 9″ which was in the car before we bought it. We bought it so a mate of mine would have a cruiser as I already had a rod on the road and he wanted a car, anyway one day I was down at the local shops and a kid on a push bike asked me what does the old Dodge have done mate, I said it was just standard because you get sick of telling people what is done to it and he came back with Bul S*** they didn’t come out with 4 wheel disc brakes, I laughed out loud ad got chatting with the young fella, he kind of reminded me of myself when I was a kid on a push bike. But they really are an overlooked car and this model was one I always had a desire for, I guess maybe because a friend of my Dad had one new and in New Zealand back in those days anyone who could afford a new car like that was someone you admired, his was grey with a white roof but back then you had what was delivered and not a choice on colour unless you wanted to wait a very long time.
N.Z was still recovering from the cost of WW2 and you went on a waiting list, you also had to have cash to buy a new car. If you had just Kiwi currency you would go on the list but if someone went into the dealer with overseas funds such as U.S. dollars or English Pounds they would just to the top of the list. So if you went in with say 25% overseas funds and the next guy went in the 50% overseas funds he would go straight to the top. Hence you took what color the dealer would get issued to them.
Virgil Exners last design before Chrysler put him out to pasture?
These are my favorite.
I had a ’62 Plymouth that I paid $25 for and drove the heck out of it for 2 years and sold it for $75. If you were too hammered coming out of the saloon you might end up getting in the back seat which was a safety feature I think.
This bad boy would be in the garage if I had the cash.
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1962/dodge/dart/100891825#
Could someone, anyone…please come up with another term to replace the “p” word? There MUST to be a better word or even an acronym out there! Be creative.
When I see a car like this one, and my 1963 Fury, the words sun baked come to mind.
I have posted it a couple of times, my term is “cosmetic corrosion”.
Laughing out loud. lol…best answer. love it.
Rust. arg arg
That “patina” is as bad as old balding men with pony tails. Or anyone over 25 sporting three day facial hair growth as a look”. It makes one look like a slob or a bum. Or just desperate to be “hip”.
The cars with “patina” just look dirty and unkempt.
I am never embarrassed by being seen in any car. Except one that looks like junk.
At $4000 the bumpers should be re-installed at least. What a dumb idea: no protection for all those intricate grille, chrome pieces and body pressings. Even a parking lot tap will be difficult and expensive to fix.
Being a four door hardtop over rules the knee jerk “too many doors” reaction though.
Thanks to those that posted photos of how great and bizarre these cars can be. Paint does wonders even if the interior is waiting to be addressed. Scabs don’t.
Wow. You really summed it all up. Well said. Now as for the 4 Doors, I think the 4 door cars are far more handsome, and furthermore, they just sit nice, and much more practical and parking lot friendly being the doors are about 12 inches shorter.
Hey Ken, I agree totally agree with the P word……but I am wore out by the a/c just needs charged. LOL
I have an Ex NYPD 41st PCT 85 Plymouth Gran Fury, A/C does not work, and I tell ya. It needs a whole helluva lot more than just a “O” ring and a recharge!
Lol!! Yea yes yes.. and the “0” rings. All’s it needs are “0” rings. That’ll git ‘er goin’ lol