Though ’70s Mopars have been steadily rising in price, over the last couple of years more and more “less desirable” cars like Dusters and Darts have been coming out of the woodwork. While the potential of Chargers, Challengers, and ‘Cudas was realized almost immediately, it has only been in recent years that more common A-bodies have been gaining mainstream popularity. Though most of the well cared for examples like this 1974 Dart are drab and bland, at the end of the day it’s still a nice old Mopar. They aren’t bringing the big bucks yet, but they certainly aren’t $500 cars anymore! Thanks to Matt W. for sending us the link. This Dart has 71,000 original miles and can be found here on eBay in Wisconsin with a price of $4,900.
Though the interior on this car isn’t perfect, it is nice. With a small amount of work and a large amount of cleaning, this Dart would look nearly new! Many of these cars saw damage to the seats, with split seams and bent springs. Though it isn’t visible in this picture, the dashboard can be clearly seen in several others. The dashboards in these cars have trim down the center that is textured plastic laminated with some kind of faux wood that tends to flake off with age and heat. There is also black painted metal on the lower portion of the dash that is often subject to wear and paint loss. Neither of these issues affects this Dart, nor does the common issue of dash rippling.
The engine is the mighty slant six, ready to take on many more miles! These engines are tried and true, known to be tough and reliable at the same time. Though you won’t be going anywhere fast, all this little engine asks for is regular maintenance and it will serve you well. The seller states that this car runs and drives properly, with no glaring drivetrain or suspension issues save for the park pawl not functioning. Thus, setting the brake is necessary. This car even has cold A/C!
This Dart is originally a Texas vehicle, which would account for the lack of rust. The seller states “Mostly original paint, Had some paintwork done on it a long time ago, but it still shows decent.” The engine will need a little tinkering, as will the gauges and it will need an ignition switch. Though it isn’t perfect, it is in such nice overall condition that at the asking price it will surely make someone a nice little cruiser if they are willing to put in the effort to make it really nice.
I had a 1969, it is a little nicer looking, because of the bumpers. It was slant 6 with 3spd, ad your right it was a great driver and cruiser, When I was done with my son drove it for a couple of more years. This car is 4 times what paid, but maybe that’s close, because of the time difference.
At that price…maybe a go….you can swap that front end – cowl forward – with the earlier eye pleasing years…..just saying……and why are these Texas cars going north….only to be re-sold ?
Nothing wrong with this car that a 340 couldn’t fix.
Definitely put a 340 with a 4 speed get rid of the bucket seats nice sleeper at that point
The first time you miss a shift with that 4 speed, you’ll realize stick conversions are overrated.
Looks like something my aunt Mavis would buy. I think she would probably object about the Swinger part.
Timeless…..slant and all….that car will run forever….carry 4 tools and you can fix anything on it….wish they still made em that way…id buy that before anything new…
YES! I had the same experience ! That slide across bench seat was seemingly engineered for such endeavors. Mine was about 12 years earlier. Hopefully not the same boob.
most likely a different boob. but just to be sure did her name start with an M?
You guys crack me up!
I remember walking around a classic car dealer back in the 80’s and seeing a ’69 dart with a factory installed 440. I just stood there grinning ear to ear realizing how potentially dangerous this ride must have been. Aunt Martha’s dart on steroids!
At $4900, it is still a bargain. You are not seeing these cars grow in value. You are seeing your money lose value thanks to the Fed and their over-used printing press. And the Fed isn’t even part of the official government, it is a privately owned corporation with special privileges. Just think of what you paid for a loaf of bread then vs. a loaf of bread today. Prices have risen to keep pace with inflation and the loss of value of the dollar.
This Dart is still a nice car even with the 5 mph bumpers and the emission controls choked slant 6.
The price of aluminum foil has remained steady though which keeps the price of headwear going down relative to inflation, you take the good with the bad.
My drivers Ed car in 1978. Decent cars for the time. I had a family friend that paid me to wash and wax his about the same time frame. It was a 4 Dr Dark green on Dark green loaded. It seemed pretty luxurious at the time.
I was with my mom when I was 5 and we bought a ’74 Plymouth Valiant brand new for $3,400 for our move from Minnesota to California, special order with the CA smog controls. Same slant 6. I took that car to college, sold it to a friend with 285k mikes on it, and saw it 5 years later plying the streets of San Francisco. Indestructible. Looking at the picture of the engine bay brought back many great memories of working on that car with my dad – I knew every inch over the years.
I have two of these a 2 door with the 6 and a four door with the 318. I am glad they are worth about 1/3 of this price in Mexico.
I sure don’t want any more.
There are much more interesting cars out there.
By the way I drive my four door every day.
It even has the optional door mounted beer can holder. Very rare.
$4900? Are you kidding me? NO 1974 Swinger should ever be worth that much. I had a 73 in the same color combo except it had a black vinyl top. Mediocre power, mediocre handling, mediocre everything. Would I pay $4900 to relive those memories? No way.
There are cars of the 70s (many cars) that I would pay dearly to experience again. Almost $5k for a 74 Swinger? LOLOLOL
My mom bought this car in the form of a ’74 Scamp. When she got it, it had 1,300 miles on it. Fantastic car. By ’89, it was mine, the rear springs had blown through the trunk. It didn’t have reverse. I drove it to the bone-yard and the owner gave me a starter that I needed for it. Car still ran like a Swiss watch. Walking away from it I admit, felt like what it probably what it feels like leaving a dog behind at the humane society.
My father was a route supervisor for Orkin in the late 60’s & early 70’s, they had dozens of these Darts for the route technicians & salesmen. Utilitarian equipped with the slant six, 3 on the tree & rubber floor covering. Even though there were millions of these made, I haven’t seen one on the road in years. Cool find!
OK guys where is Al Bundy when you need him ?? I bet he could give us the low down on this car . all kidding aside this is a nice car
mine was yellow, white top and interior, slant six, and a/c
I bought one of these used for my wife while living forty miles south of Fairbanks AK. Mint condition, glove box full of servicing receipts. Drove it home from the dealer. Went in the house and told my wife “your cars Is outside”. She looked out the window and said in a strangely calm voice, “Uh, the car’s on fire”. It turns out, according to the insurance man who came out the next day, that the metal in-line fuel filter had been replaced with a plastic one by the dealership that was too close to the manifold, melted, and caused it to catch fire. Real nice car. Too bad I was only able to put forty miles on it before that happened.