Chrysler redesigned its two compact cars in 1967, the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant. While functional, they weren’t necessarily lively – until the Dart GTS came along mid-way in the new year. By adding the Sport designation to the GT (hence GTS), a muscle car was born with a 383 cubic inch V8. The seller’s vehicle is numbers matching and only one of 228 built with the 383 and a TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Recently restored, it looks like quite the honey and is available in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and here on eBay. The current bid is $35,100 – with the seller’s reserve still in play.
The GT competed with the Chevy Nova SS, both of which could be ordered with basic engines. But the GTS did the Chevy one better as the largest engine offered in the Nova in ’67 was a 327 V8. The GTS looked the same as the GT except for the fender scripts, so the big difference was under the hood and a beefing up of the suspension to handle a big-block engine. The GTS was a powerful car, but not that much hardier than a 1968 Dart GT 340 because of the extra weight over the front wheels. You could only get the GTS as a 2-door hardtop or convertible.
We’re told the ’67 GTS has recently been treated to a rotisserie restoration. So, whatever the seller’s reserve might be, much of it will go to recouping the cost of what may have been an extensive project. The undercarriage photos reveal entirely new floorboards, so rust may have been an issue, but not any longer. The rarity of this car is substantiated by the 1967 Dart GTS Registry and its original broadcast sheet and fender tag.
The 383 is matched to the car and we suspect that most everything under the hood is except for the distributor and radiator (the latter’s original was saved and will go with the sale). Out back resides a 3.23 posi-traction rear end with a Sure Grip differential. This car had power disc brakes from the factory and they’re still present, though redone. The bucket seat interior has been reworked and the black vinyl top is correct for the Dodge. If you’re looking for a 1960s compact muscle car that hasn’t been modified, could this be the one?
I love this new semi-fake term “rotisserie restoration” which is some body shop seperating the frame and body god knows how? Some super rich custom shops actually have a frame railed body holder that can move 360 degrees. But most don’t have anything near that kind of device. I picture a body of a car laying on the ground while a frame is being restored. And just because you separate a body from a frame doesn’t mean crap. Its everything in between you need to fix. A modern day assembly plant uses robotics for all this. Don’t be fooled; First question “Whom exactly did the restoration and can I see the paperwork? If not…run away!
jv smashpalace
This car is a unibody …no frame …. ??? So I’m not sure what you mean ? This car or in general ?
He’s a troll….has no idea – the one picture of the inside of the firewall is a tell tale….oh and if you know your Mopars.
Really nice resto with gactory parts including the recall steering wheel.
No, the frame is not separated from the body when you have a unibody car like this Dart. The car is stripped to its shell, which is mounted front and rear to stands which allow the car to be rotated – on its side, upside down, and right side up. That allows inspection and restoration of all the body shell, from top to bottom. The term “rotisserie restoration” is not a fake term or a “semi-fake term,” and the fact that you are not familiar with the term or the process reveals you utter ignorance of car restoration.
I built a rollover jig out of lumber/plywood and it works just fine for tipping a bare body on its side for welding, prep, paint, etc. Probably don’t have over $200 in it. Not a super big deal.
Tons of normal people have rotisseries in their garage now. They’re no longer expensive or hard to fabricate one of your own even. And, as others have mentioned, Mopars of this vintage and style don’t even have frames, so basically, you don’t know what you’re talking about on all counts.
Or could be factory…..g I don’t know….
If the floor was removed from the cross member and other reinforcements then one could sandblast the interior of these sections. I believe the BB A-bodies also had the convertible reinforcements to stiffen the body in the same way that Hemi B-bodies did. I can’t imagine driving this car with manual steering.
Actually the challenge with manual steering is while the car is stopped once its moving it’s not too bad. Also larger steering wheels help with the stopped turn issue
Adding power steer to this car is just a bolt-in if you were inclined.
Is there an aftermarket power steering that can be put on this car? 383 Darts were not offered with power steering because there was no room for the pump.
I’m not really an A body guy, but I believe the problem was actually clearance between the power gearbox and the driver’s side exhaust manifold. Either way, power steering showed up in 68 on 383 Darts and Barracudas, so it can be done.
Had a 68 GTS 340 Auto and manual steering. It was a chore to park.
Yeah the K sub frame was taken off & and placed on an engine stand, so its technically its a body off restoration lol
Is the hood on this correct?
Correct me if I am wrong but I don’t think it is the correct hood.
yes it is
Beautiful car. I’d be proud to own it. This is the car that someone here once told me doesn’t count as a GTS because it’s “so rare”, which is a ridiculous argument. Of course they exist, of course they’re the first year of the GTS.
That’s a very nice looking car. If it is all that the seller claims it is, I’ll bet it either doesn’t get sold or goes up to $50K. If it is not all that, I believe it might have hit the ceiling. GLWTS!
I know this car is meant to be driven, but the lack of power steering makes this a weekend show car for me. Still wouldn’t mind having this one because of its rarity and the documentation; I see this as a much better investment than my 401K 😄😄😄
I had a 69 GT. Looked almost exactly like this. Kind of a bummer it only had a 273 Commando V8 but it really was a nice car. Same color and all. To young and stupid to realize what I had and traded it for a 69 Honda 450. It was a pretty cool bike. but I never was able to get a title for it so I got rid of it cheap. If we only knew what we know now.
I’m mostly a GM guy, but man that’s a cool Mopar! A high school friend had a ‘68 340 Dart GT. He wanted to freshen up the engine so we got the Direct Connection catalog out and ordered a purple cam and a bunch of other goodies. That was a quick little car that embarrassed plenty of big blocks!
I can’t imagine what one of these with a 383 in it would be like!
I went to high school with a guy that had a dark green ’69 GTS with the 383 and an automatic. It was incredibly quick for a completely stock car. He sold it to a guy a few small towns away. The last time I saw it, it was sitting in Moyers Junk Yard in Crestline, Ohio with the imprint of a telephone pole on the passenger side. That telephone pole “dent” went clear to the driveshaft tunnel.
Very clean example of a 383 GTS. No disrespect, but I’d still rather have a 340. With much less weight up front, they handled much better and just as fast off the line.
Ended at $37.6K, Reserve Not Met.