This car is a roller and it could be a rocker. It’s a 1966 Dodge Dart 270 Wagon “roller”, as in, it has no engine. It’s in New Pine Creek, Oregon, right on the border of California and Oregon, a half-mile from the Pacific. This potential sleeper is listed on eBay with a few bids but a price of less than $900 and there are two days left on the auction.
This third-generation Dart wagon was made from 1963 to 1966 and the top engine available would have been a 273 V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and 235 hp. I would most likely go with that engine if I were to get this car; sort of a Dart GT wagon, which of course Dodge never made. The seller says that the “wiring harness, linkage and power steering pump are intact.” This car had the 170 slant-six with around 100 hp. I think that 235 hp would be a bit more fun, especially since the original engine is long gone.
This car looks pretty good, body-wise. It looks like there may have been a little work done to the bottoms of the doors and maybe the rocker panels and they mention that this car “has some rust in the front floorboard and on the right rear rocker” This could be a fun project, I love the look of this car in stark, appliance-white with the hub caps and black wall tires. I wouldn’t dress up the exterior at all, just make it perfect and then work on the mechanicals and interior.
Speaking of the interior, it needs work. The seller says that the interior is “intact down to the original radio”, but you’ll need to redo the front seats and dash, but the rear seats may be able to be saved depending on what type of restoration the next owner has in mind. Speaking of that, how would you redo this car? I know that most folks wouldn’t track down a 1966 170 slant-six to put back in here, and neither would I, even being the purist that I am. Would you turn this roller into a fire-breathing rocker?
slap a 340 in there and go cruising!
If you put a V8 in a 6 cyl body you’ll need to update brakes, suspension, and cooling systems. Also remember that the bolt pattern is 5 lugs on 4″ circle. A wreck 73′ and up dart or duster would have everything you need except the new bushings, and it all would bolt on, including a 5 lug on 4-1/2″ with disc brakes. Been there, done that…..
Nice project car. The body looks pretty solid, good enough to drive while waiting on time and money. A 225 slant six would give this car some life, a 273 even better. A 318 or 340 might even fit as all three v8’s are LA engines and have similar external dimensions. Have fun.
Unless it comes with v8 parts, like pedal linkage and pedal, kickdown linkage, driver’s side exhaust manifold, center link, motor mounts, 90 degree oil filter adaptor, radiator, and more, expect to pay another $1500 at the least to scrounge it all to fit a small block in there. To say nothing of better brakes than the 9″ drums it came with.
Hi Matt, I agree ( again, the thumbs down, Matt is right) Like Ed sez, a 225 would be just fine, and bolt right in. This is never going to be a fire-breather anyway, just good ol’ ’60’s transportation. Use it for what it was intended.
A lot of time and money to make this into a peppy V8 sleeper GT wagon. The car seems to need work on virtually everything. The rust repair to the rear quarter panels and floor could be more expensive than your first guess, given the way these are constructed. But for those who like, go for it. With a taut suspension, a small V8 and a four-speed, this could be an awesomely fun driver. Finish it off with bucket seats and you’ll have the car Studebaker was willing to make but the Big Three never did.
been listed before…..so here we go…..again….
“been listed”.. here? When?
I think they mean this one, a ’65. This ’66 is much better. http://barnfinds.com/cheap-longroof-1965-dodge-dart-wagon/
and why the thumbs down on stillrunners comment? I don’t like the “thumbs down” feature. We should speak our minds as to why it’s a thumbs down, I feel. Lord knows, I do.
The thumbs-down wasn’t from me, Howard!
Thanks for the link, I didn’t go back that far, I assumed that I missed the same car being listed here recently.
Be different, put a tweaked turbo 2.2 in there.
You have the right idea. I would look great in this with my beard, glasses, and man bun. Nice car.
Cool. I’d fix what needed doing and put a warmed up 225 in it. Thinking Hyperpak. Shabby edges seem ok on this.
Auction update: this Dart sold for $1,480; well bought, well sold.