The compact Dodge Dart was redesigned in 1967, and the following year Chrysler tested the performance waters in that market segment. While the Dart GT came with either a Slant-Six or a 273 cubic inch V8, the GT Sport (aka GTS) was sold with 340 and 383 engines (plus a few 440s and Hemi’s). The seller’s ’68 GTS 340 has been a one-owner car since 1970 and comes with some paperwork to back up the past five decades. Located in Okanagan, British Columbia, this fairly clean example is available here on craigslist for $44,888 (CDN) or $33,888 (USD).
While the Dart econoboxes sold in large numbers, the GTS market was much smaller at 8,295 units in 1968. More than 70% of them came with Chrysler’s new 340 CI small-block V8 that was rated at 275 hp. That engine saw a healthy run of 217,000 copies through 1973 in both Dodge and Plymouth products. The rest of the ’68 GTS pack got a 383 (for the most part). A 4-speed manual transmission and a TorqueFlite automatic were the two choices, with the latter being in the seller’s car.
This Dodge is finished in triple Forest Green (paint, vinyl roof, interior). The car was resprayed in 2001, and the photos suggest it could be ready again. The Dart comes with a bucket seat interior with a console, and it’s in good, used condition. Should using the little car as just an occasional driver be in the cards for you?
Out of the 5,000+ 1968 GTSs built with a 340, the number surviving today is probably just a few hundred. Like so many muscle cars of the era, they were ridden hard, put up wet, and met an early demise with the crusher. This car was built the year before the Swinger model of the Dart came along (going after the youth market), and the 340 was popular in those models. Thanks for the Mopar tip, “Curvette”!
If a potential buyer is planning on bringing the car into the US, they need to make sure that “same owner since 1970 (paperwork)” means they are actually buying the car from the registered owner and not a flipper. The ad is not written the way you’d expect a long time owner to write an ad, there is a lack of history and it’s not in 1st person.
Steve R
Great article and information Mr. Russ Dixon! Wow! What a beautiful car! This seems like a reasonable buy with it being all original! Essentially 1 owner that must be in their 70s or 80s by now. Love the period color combination too! A 4 speed would have been nicer, but it seems that the 4 speeds are generally more beat up! May this be a daily driver for someone? A rare find indeed!