U.S. automakers went after more youthful buyers in the 1960s, beginning with the muscle car market movement in 1964. But it didn’t stop there, at least for Chrysler. Hoping to generate more interest in its rather boxy compact Dart, the Dart Swinger came along in 1969. As a 2-door hardtop, it replaced the stodgy 2-door sedan from 1967-68. The ploy worked, especially when the car was a Swinger 340, like the seller’s. This one has a replacement engine which has been pirated and cosmetic attention is also needed. Located in Ray, Michigan, this once-hot little car is available here on eBay where $6,995 has yet to crack the reserve.
The 340 cubic inch small block V8 came along in 1968 and Chrysler would install them in some 217,000 cars over the next six years. In 1969, nearly 2/3 of them (16,600 out of 26,400) went into the new Dart Swinger. The engine produced 275 hp with a 4-barrel carburetor. Swingers were offered with that engine for two years until the sales emphasis shifted to the new Demon, a derivative of Plymouth’s fastback Duster. Not to be outdone, Plymouth got their version of the Swinger in 1971 called the Scamp.
Though the seller does not provide the VIN, he/she indicates the car here is a P-code product, meaning it left the factory with the 340 motor. No fender tag has survived, as has the original motor. Under the hood now resides a 340 from 1972 whose intake manifold has been stolen. The seller postulates that the car will run if you rectify that matter, but it may have been sitting for a while. The transmission is a column-shifted automatic.
The interior looks fine although there is no carpeting, and the headliner needs replacing. The undercarriage is solid and there’s no discussion of rust in the sheet metal. The glass is good, but some of the surrounding trim is off the car but the seller has those pieces for the next owner. This project may result in a decent muscle car once you get it running again. Since part of the engine is missing, why not go ahead and do a rebuild of the whole thing rather than discovering problems later?
Does the rubber mallet come with the car???
I really like this car, right color, right engine!
Yes, I’d pull the engine and transmission for a rebuild with a few internal upgrades, such as porting and polishing the heads, replacing the stock cast crank with a forged aftermarket unit, and most importantly, adding a port fuel injection kit to that motor (which includes a new intake manifold and electronic ignition).The new carpet is a cheap and easy fix, and the lack of carpeting allows the buyer to get a good look at the floorpan and repair any rust that may be lurking there.
My buddy had a brand new one of these in 1969 it was green with black vinyl top and and automatic with a 340 c.i engine great little car especially the horsepower to weight ratio
68-71 had forged cranks 1972 model year with automatics had cast cranks and all 1973 had cast cranks.
If I was interested, I’d give him/her an extra $10 over reserve to get rid of that spoiler(?) thing in back.
A couple of western dealers in Canada convinced Dodge to make them 340 Darts in 1971 and 1972, in the US only the Demon got the 340.
Only thing I’d be concerned about in what appears to be a pretty solid car is the drains in the cowl area under the wipers are pitiful, much like the ones on a first generation Mustang, and everything is welded together. If trash, leaves, etc, block them it will often rust through and drop water straight onto your feet.
I’d get it rebuilt. Put a new suspension under the front end. Not a fan of the pansy torsion bar mess they had. If it was a stick, it’d be perfect.
In 69 These Darts only came with a Carpet if it was ordered with the 4 speed Hurst shifter, The automatics only came with a form fitting rubber floor mat due to the extra cost difference of the transmissions!
This is the second time here I’ve seen this mentioned, that somehow the ’69 became different than the 67-68 in this regard. It’s not. There must be some oddball incorrect info out there that everyone keeps repeating. Unless I’m misunderstanding the comment. Either way, there is no difference in the roof or windows between 67-69. They are all interchangeable. If one is “stodgy”, then all 3 years are “stodgy”.
“it replaced the stodgy 2-door sedan from 1967-68”
Unless they mean the post cars, but those weren’t the norm, nor were they exclusive to 67-68 anyway.
Oops, yes, post was 67-68, but my other points remain the same. Most Darts from 67-69 were hardtops, I don’t know why it’s continually repeated here that suddenly a hardtop was available in ’69, and the ones before that were “stodgy” LOL
A buddy here in Dallas has the same 340/column shift car – funny his actually has some floor rust and a little in the rear rockers – had a vinal roof must be the reason.
Ended at $7,900, Reserve Not Met.