Sometimes it can be pretty easy to see that an owner has full confidence in the classic car that they are offering for sale. That is the case with this 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340. Not only does he actively offer potential buyers the opportunity to undertake a personal inspection of the vehicle, but he is also willing to place the car on a lift so that they can have a good look around underneath. If that isn’t enough, he even encourages potential buyers to take a magnet to the inspection so that they can verify for themselves that there is nothing but healthy steel hiding below the primer that the vehicle currently wears. If that isn’t a display of total confidence, then I don’t know what would be. The Dart is located in Pleasant Valley, New York, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. This attitude seems to have had some impact because there have been 17 individuals who have been motivated enough to submit bids on this classic. This has pushed the price along to $7,766, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The Dart started its life wearing Dark Green Metallic paint, but at some stage, someone has decided to cover this with a coat of Plum Crazy. It now sports a grey primer, so it will be a matter of personal choice as to just what the vehicle will wear in the future. The engine bay is nicely detailed in the original Green, so this might be what tips the scales for the car to be returned to that particular shade. As stated earlier, rust does not appear to be a problem with the Dodge. The owner supplies some great photos of the underside and the trunk, and these all look remarkably clean and solid. There is nothing visible externally, and if a magnet is utilized as the owner suggests, it will be pretty easy to confirm that there is no Bondo or other nasty surprises awaiting the next owner. The panels themselves look nice and straight, while the tinted glass appears to be free from any significant flaws or problems.
Lifting the hood on the Dodge reveals a spotlessly clean and tidy engine bay. It houses a 340ci V8, which is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. There is no power assistance for the steering, but power front disc brakes should bring proceedings to a halt quite effectively. The 340 is freshly rebuilt and has literally done no work since this was completed. It has been bored .030″ over and has been built with a 9.5:1 compression ratio. Add in a high-energy electronic ignition, a new Holley carburetor, a 2½” exhaust, and this should potentially pump out somewhere around (or possibly more) than its original 275hp. A real positive is that this is achieved using pump gas, so there’s nothing special awaiting the next owner in that department. In addition to all of this work, there is also a new sender unit in the tank and a new clutch. It should be no surprise to learn that this is a classic that runs and drives very nicely.
I was originally going to say that the interior of the Dodge is a bit of a surprise packet, but on reflection, it really isn’t. It would seem that this is a project that was well on the way to completion when it was listed for sale, because not only is it mechanically sound, but there is little to do inside the car. The seats and trim look nice, the dash is unmolested and the pad is in good condition, while the carpet set is brand new. The only work that the owner identifies is the need for a new headliner. Good quality headliners can be found for $180, and if that is all that is required, then returning the interior to its absolute best would seem to be a cheap and easy exercise.
We see plenty of project cars here at Barn Finds, and some of these definitely rank as being better than others. This 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger would seem to be a really good prospect because apart from being well on the way to becoming a potent and eye-catching vehicle once again, it is being offered for sale by an owner who is refreshingly candid about what he has to offer potential buyers. Purchasing a project car can be fraught with danger because there are times when you really can’t be sure exactly what is hiding below an unfinished surface. This car removes a large amount of that doubt, and that’s why I’m not surprised by the fact that the bidding has been so solid up to this point. I can’t help but think that someone is on the verge of landing themselves a great project, and I will gladly admit that I do envy them for that.
Great car. Nice listing, good job seller. Needs a lot but has a lot going for it. If the buy in / reserve is not crazy this IS a great car. 4 speed. Love the old mopar hoods. Period wheels for me or just the Painted Steel wheels with white letter tires.
This car is on my list but too far down the list. Personally not loving the green and with the engine bay done, motor and trans done… that is a big change.
I like the mopar paint match compartment but I really don’t prefer it. Like in this case it creates more limitations. Ah, what the heck, if painted right the fenders and hood should come off anyway, now the color change is not as difficult !!( I am talking myself into bidding on it !!!)
If this was in Florida, it’d be in my driveway next week. Love it, bring back the green color, leave the dog dish caps, fatter meats and upgraded brakes. If they only came with power windows…
Doesn’t the seller post on here? Name looks familiar.
Rear bumper is from a later year Dart- not a 1970. The 340 4 speed properly tuned will just romp. GLWTA
I would go with the green metallic, rallye wheels, and mopar square exhaust tips. Rallye dash is uncut with original thumbwheel radio (huge plus). Buckets and console would complete it
How about a mod top for that ride
Hopefully when they rebuilt it, they dropped in a purple stripe cam and degreed it. A lot of performance opens up. Nice car to start off with. Visceral to drive. These look good in Sublime, not so much in Plum crazy. The OE green was boring back then and not a good choice for this body style.
Thanks for the great writeup, Adam. I have listed this car for a friend; he bought the car for his wife but she is unable to push the clutch. Goes off this coming sunday and the reserve is $21,500, exactly what he has in it. Please feel free to call at 845-635-3662 or cell 845-554-6095. This is all you would want in a 70 swinger except your choice of cool colors! Thanks and good luck.
Cheers
Gaspumpchas
Charlie
With a nice single stage paint job this car should double in price!!
1970 Darts didn’t have side running lights or dual tail lens. Looks like a 1971 body.
My Bad they do have side running lights, just checked my factory brochure. Tail lamps still incorrect for a 70.
1970 Darts did have side marker lights.The ones in the pictures are correct. However you are correct the rear bumper is a 1971/1972 Dart bumper .. 1970 dart and 1971 -72 Valiant Scamps had the same rear single tail light on each side.
Bought an untouched 72 scamp 20 odd years ago. Only issue both rear quarters. Straight as could be and ran fine (318). UNTOUCHED. $250. Miss those deals.
Compression for 68-71 340 motors were10.5. 72 and up were 8.5. 275 was way under rated. I ran a 71 340 Duster as NHRA Factory Pure Stock for several years, 71- 75. Car ran 13.60’s all day every day. Street tires, mufflers, factory exhaust. Great cars and reliable daily beaters when set up correctly
I would love to bring this one back to California where it belongs. Reminds me a lot of my 71 340 Duster with a 4 speed and the same F-7 green. Plymouth called it Sherwood Green, I think Dodge just called it Medium Green.
I know about that clutch, mine was a Hays and it was stout. My wife couldn’t drive it either. I had the car before the wife so I got her a Dart with automatic.
The rallye dash and long shifter are exactly the same. I also had a bench seat but with an arm rest. My interior was 2 tone green. That long shifter is specific for bench seat cars. I like bench seats and don’t care for consoles.
It’s a California car for sure. The underside is a dead giveaway. My only concern might be any body filler under the primer. If any. I happen to really like the F-7 Sherwood Green and would restore its awesome Green-ness.
This one is really ticking all the boxes for me. But I have 3 other projects that need to be finished and/or sold first. I’m not ready to jump on this opportunity. It’s the right car but the money has to come from selling one of mine. I’m happy to that but they aren’t quite there yet.
Dang-it!!
Happy trails to the owner and soon to be new owner. Your left knee better be in good shape and see that the clutch linkage is correctly adjusted. Also make sure the shift linkage (Hurst Competition Plus) is properly adjusted. You can get a lot of leverage with that long stick and you don’t want to bend shift forks and waste synchros.
Who am I kidding, I sound like old Grandpa here. There’s a good chance that whoever buys this has grandiose plans to pull it apart and “restomod” it by spending a fortune on exotic gear. Essentially taking an honest Dart 340 and defiling it in unspeakable ways. That would make me sad.
Thanks for sharing this with us Gaspumpchas. Is your name a contraction of “Gas Pump Charles?” (or Charlie)
A set of tallish black walls and nice lug nuts for the A12 look. Maybe just the red ring dog dishes. Kinda digging it even in the primer black. Neat car.
The drivers side rear view mirror is not a factory piece. The dog dish hub caps are from later model vehicle as in 1970 these did not feature the stamped holes all around the dish.
Irrelevant. Does not figure in my calculation. Easily remedied if desired. The important stuff is there and in good condition.