In a sea of Road Runners, Chargers, and ‘Cudas, the Dodge Dart gets short shrift – how unfortunate! The 1967 redesign put the Dart on an entirely new plane and the ’68 GTS version with Mopar’s new 340 CI V8 told everyone that the Dart had arrived. Today, we have a 1970 Swinger 340 example to review and it is in sharp shape. You’ll find this Dart in New Britain, Connecticut and it’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $25,100, two bids tendered so far.
While the ’67 to ’69 Dart GT, GTS, and Swinger 340 went for a more restrained appearance, 1970 saw the inclusion of twin scoops perched upon the hood of the Swinger 340 model – you knew one the second that you saw it. Dart body styles were limited to two, a two-door hardtop and a four-door sedan with three trim levels, Custom, Swinger, and Swinger 340. Total ’70 Dart production was about 133K examples.
Our feature car is finished off in what appears to be Light Gold Metallic (FY4) not exactly the first color that comes to mind for a muscle car but a typical 1970 color selection. This Dart presents beautifully and the seller states that it was restored, including refinishing, about twenty years ago. And those last twenty years have been spent in a display showroom so that explains its condition. Interesting to note is that this Swinger 340 has the “stripe delete” option which precludes the rear wrap across the decklid stripe.
This Swinger 340 has, what else, but a 275 gross HP, 340 CI V8 engine working through a TorqueFlite, three-speed, automatic transmission. The seller claims, “Runs and drives new other than some mothballs“. This Dodge is a 92K mile example and there is no mention if the engine has undergone modification or any rebuilding – it looks stock and original. These 340s provide impressive power!
The interior is standard Dart, black vinyl fare with a bench seat and column-mounted gear selector. It is in like-new condition though the seller mentions that there is a hole in the headliner. The only addition noted is the inclusion of an aftermarket, dash-mounted tachometer. If you can live with the holy headliner, and perhaps a split in the dash pad, this Dart’s interior will require nothing.
What’s so great about this Dart, or the Dart in general? Many of the examples uncovered have been pummeled to death, modified in less than optimal ways, or just rusted beyond repair and this one, obviously isn’t. But the great thing about the Dart, in general, is that it takes the muscle car formula, knocks it down a notch in body and engine size, and frequently develops a better power to rate ratio than that of a mid-size Road Runner or Charger. Let’s face it, the 340 “LA” engine is one of Mopar’s all-time greatest hits and proved that Chevrolet didn’t have a lock on small-block engine architecture – I know first hand, how much thump one of these 340 powered cars has. No, this is not a typical flashy ’70s ride with stripes, spoilers, and luminescent colors and that can be a good thing. After all, what it lacks in ostentatiousness, it more than makes up for under the hood, right?
I’ve never really liked the back of these,
I think that the earlier ones look much better.
Is there any way to get rid of those
annoying pop-up ads?
Make sure you are signed in. I assumed that I was signed in and those pop up were there.
Pictures look like they are from inside Papas Chrysler Dodge Jeep. The owner has a nice collection of muscle and vintage mopar and is a great supporter of the local MoparsInMotion club. In one picture you can see a beautifully restored Power Wagon. All his cars are nice.My assumption is that he is doing some minor herd thinning.
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These little cars flat hauled ass.
This one appears to be an exceptionally nice example with minor needs.
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Let me tell you a story…in 1974 I was driving a 1966 Sport Fury with a 275 horse 383. Our of curiosity I asked a buddy with a 1971 340 Duster to race me. Same rated horsepower, the Fury should lose slowly because of the weight difference, right? Massively wrong! He gave me a length and waved bye-bye maybe five seconds later. It wasn’t anywhere near close. Once he passed me we headed to the pizza place and decided that Chrysler was sandbagging the 340’s numbers.
I believe the 383 was rated gross hp while the 340 was rated as net hp. Big difference maybe.
1971 and older were gross hp ratings, 1972 started with net hp ratings
Beautiful!
I’d love to have one someday.
I think most of us at one time or another had a Dart or Valiant. Maybe the best thing Chrysler ever did.
My first car bought in 1981 was a ’72 Swinger with a 318. Loved that car.
Was never a big fan of the Dart but a family member had a ’70 Swinger, 340,4 speed in 1980 that left huge impression on me. It would probably look a little odd next to my 442 & GTO but to this day, it’s the only year Dart I would care to own & I would buy.
I like the Rallye dash in this. I wish they had kept that as an option on the later model years.
Had a 74 Dart Convertriple ( factory crank sun roof, fold down rear set and trunk divider) was maroon with white roof/ side stripes , ( like starsky / hutch) Had a 318 that I put a 4bbl on and duel exhaust. Dented the fender in one day ( lied to my parents as to how it happened)
And the repair shop fixed it plus asked if I wanted some 70 hood scoops put in that they had Laying around. So on they went, they even cut holes so they were functional
Ah the good old days…..
In 1973 I bought an unmodified 340 Challenger from my neighbor. After fixing up the body, I took it out on the street. There was no need to add or upgrade the engine, it was damn fast as it was. I can imagine the 340 in the much lighter Dart was even faster and handled better!
It took me over 6yrs to buy a Black 340/auto w/ac 100k mi. back in 1984. I the pleasure of watching it go from perfect to smashed in a slow and agonizing manner. The owner “knew” what it was and wouldn’t sell. But, he had a drinking problem. From near perfect to engine sitting sideways, driver side smashed from fender to door, crappy rattle can blackout on both front and rear fenders and over stripe, wing window gone, one burnt valve, etc. I finally got it for $250.00.
In the end, I fixed the one valve, tuned it up, stripped the paint off the bumpers, removed the dealer installed a/c and went drag racing. Every weds. nite at Baylands! From 1985-1987.Talk about reliable despite prior abuse. Ran 14.40/50’s 94/95/mph consistently. Did need octane boost though. Still love the car and miss it. Sold it when broke in 1988 for $1000.00 and a pair of Air Jordans. My buddy still has it, rarely drives and …..Won’t sell it back to me. Patience is one of my strong points. I will get back again someday.
Whoever buys this one won’t be disappointed. Unfortunately, it’s more style than performance compared to my mom’s 4dr. Mercedes or Toyota Supra et al. But, way more stylish and fun to cruise in! It has “character”. Mopar or No car!
Sold with a high bid of $25,100.
Steve R
I really like this car,wouldn’t pay 25k,but good to see such a nice one, and the hobby being kept alive!