The last time that we covered a 1965 Dodge Dart station wagon on BF was seven and a half years ago. I recognize the interest and collectibility of old wagons, but this is one that definitely does not come to mind as I ponder the topic. If nothing else, this example gets points for originality! Marina Del Ray, California, is its resting place, and you can find it here on craigslist where it’s available for $2,000.
This Dart wagon is a member of the Dart’s third-gen, the first for the nameplate gracing a compact-sized car. Body styles included two and four-door sedans, a convertible, a two-door hardtop, and, of course, a station wagon. The Dart was a popular car with production exceeding 200K units. As for the wagon, 29K came to light that year, not a huge number, but hardly paltry either. The seller tells us that he’s owned this car for fifteen years, having bought it from the original owner’s family. What he’s been doing with it all that time is not disclosed, but it’s likely a safe bet that a lot of that time was devoted to just sitting around. The finish is typically sunburned, and the listing claims, “some rust.” That said, the body seems to be pretty straight and complete.
Under that faded hood is a slant-six, but it’s not disclosed if it’s a 101 HP 170, CI base engine or the more lively 145 HP, 225. Regardless, it’s a non-runner and the seller adds, “Don’t know when it ran last,” which seems an odd statement if it has been owned for fifteen years. Then again, maybe it has never run during the seller’s current ownership. Whatever the case, the engine appears to be complete, and the air cleaner assembly is in the wayback. No push-button automatic here, this wagon rolls (rolled?) with a three-speed manual gearbox.
The interior looks like it came out of a taxicab – that upholstery is definitely not original. The headliner is gravity-bound, and the chrome-plated plastic instrument panel is delaminating – not an unusual occurrence. The wayback area is covered up with parts detritus, so it’s hard to make an objective statement regarding its condition. The carpet is unexpectedly shot, but there’s no indication of floor pan deterioration or collapse. All-in-all, the interior is going to need some help.
OK, so it’s now what-to-do-with-it time. Well, it’s in SoCal, so maybe converting it into a cool surfer wagon would be an appropriate way to go – or even a restomod. I suppose one could try a stock restore, but I imagine the outlay to make that happen would be prohibitive, considering what this uncommon car is. If you were interested in this Dart wagon, which way would you take it?
Fifteen days on the market within a two hour drive of 10,000,000 speaks directly to the level of interest. The asking price is nominal, especially considering the online love for the Chrysler slant 6. A scrap yard may be in its future.
Steve R
A junkyard is where I found mine, Steve! Back in 2013, I was the last bidder on an eBay auction from Wildcat Mopars in Sandy, Oregon. It cost me over half of what I paid for it to have it shipped, and when it arrived, the 170’s compression was so bad that the car would roll down the driveway with the transmission in gear. Luckily, I found a low-mileage 225 on the floor of my local machine shop, cleaned up the flywheel, used the clutch the engine came with, and dropped it in. I’ve been driving it that way for over 10 years…it’s a fun “beater.”
Great story, Thx!
JO
I like the Dart wagons, it’s the first car my parents owned I remember. It was a nice little car, had enough power to tow a small travel trailer on vacations. My parents eventually replaced it with a bigger station wagon when my parents upgraded to a bit larger trailer that was self contained (shower and toilet). When my dad said they weren’t getting another Dart wagon I remembered crying when I found out they weren’t made anymore.
Regardless of personal feelings, not everything is going to be saved. The market determines that, LA is a big market with a strong car culture and a lot of money, where station wagons have a strong following. Fifteen days on the market there is equivalent to months in an isolated, rural area. The best case scenario is the owner is firm on their price, but it’s just as likely no one is interested. Something you see here time and time again is that good deals don’t last.
Steve R
No disagreements from me, Steve. I long ago realized that just because I like it doesn’t mean anyone else does. Not to mention, this one’s pretty far from the road, whereas I was able to drive mine (with tremendous clutch chatter) immediately. It’s too bad, because it looks solid and complete, but it’s probably a parts car at best.
Most likely that funny top down rust…….
I’m the owner of this wagon. Except for a little more rust, the car sits as it did when I bought it and when I bought it, it didn’t run. My plan was to restomod it and put a modern Hemi in it. I bought it because it was cheap and thought it would be a cool project. I have another project car and after a while, I decided that I didn’t want to spend the money it was going to cost to build it the way I want. I’m a motivated seller but there hasn’t been any interest in it. I want it gone and I don’t want to part it out. The floors are solid so I’ll add pictures of them to the ad.
There you go. To all the negative nellies that post…you got an owner to answer. No more guessing or opining the what ifs.
Hey Murray,
Maybe you should try posting it on “For A Bodies Only”; they’re all Dart, Valiant, Duster, etc. people.
https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/
A high school nuddy- Walter was given the former family car a white 65 dart wagon 225 3 on the tree this was in 1974 and NJ winters had taken a toll the rear bumper brackets rusted so bad the bumper fell off so we made a 2x 6 wood bumper in shop class and engraved it with Wonder Wagon that thing just could not be killed lots of fun times
The rust at the cowl and roof is a lot of work to fix and then it will need everything else. If you can wait for the right person to come along you might be waiting a long time. It would help if the seller would make even a minimal effort to clean it up. Flat tires are a turn off. I had a 65 Valiant Wagon with a 273 and automatic. It was a great little car.
Unfortunately, the designers at Chrysler got lazy as heck on this ugly abomination.
Looks as though they took a 4 door and added the extension on the back.
Neat little wagon. Some of the funkier looking taillights ever. Bet they’re damn near unobtanium. Looks straight and solid. Hope it finds a good home.
I always think of these being driven by the hot, young mother in the neighborhood or a classmate’s mom with a Sam from Bewitched vibe.
Guy I went to high school with had one identical to this, same color, 3 on the tree coupled with the 225 slant six.
His windshield wiper motor was shot, so he rigged up a string and pulley system where he could pull the string to operate the wipers. It was fun to watch him drive the 3 on the tree while operating the wipers!
I actually like it because its a wagon it has lots of potential for a cool sleeper, even to get it running and driving like it is would be fun makes me wish it was closer
I don’t know……maybe a weird swap for this weird car. I’d look at finding a totaled late model Charger or Challenger SXT/GT and chuck the 3.6, 8hp50 and the 3.07’s. Make a great beach wagon, weekend coastal cruiser.
Not weird enough, it’s a pretty good idea but have not seen it done before so don’t know how complicated this might be.
had that car (a beautiful blue, yr after; anda raunchy white a yr earlier). ’64 wagon was loosin it to the tin worm (this was 1972) and I p/u the blue, in great looking condition. Driving the new 1 home I heard a “Bang!” on the interstate, looked in the rear view and saw a starter skiddin down the rd w/a piecea bell hangin on. Swapped the 170/2.8 from the white waggy in and took that sucker to all the perimeter states of this big ol beautiful country (’76 Bicentennial)fora yr/18 mo ride (asa 22 y/o adventurer). Out to pasture w/over 300K mi on the odometer when tradin up. Car was loaded down inside w/seats flipped dwn AND a big oversized FULL roof rack. Only other car I owned a similar # yrs was the 240 (’82 DL wagon) same 20 yr run, about same mileage @ end. I’d gofer the 300TD wagon if not the price, nother million mi motor… @ 73 y/o this summer it’d B the 1 I’d drive to the ‘pearly gates’ (well… I’m probably goin d’other way). ~8^ ) he he heee
E.J. Potter unlocked the secrets of unlimited Dodge Dart wagon performance by installing an Allison V1710- V12 airplane engine in his brand new 1964 Dart Wagon.
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/215001-remembering-ej-potter-a-year-on/