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Time To Swing: 1970 Dodge Dart 340

1970 Dodge Dart 340 Swinger

Now that we are the proud owners of a Dodge Dart, I’ve been giving these small Mopars more attention lately. I know they aren’t as desirable as their big Charger and Challenger siblings, but that’s a good thing if you ask me! We’ve had a tough time finding detailed information about our car, but I’m sure that wouldn’t be the case with this ’70 Dart 340 Swinger. These later cars are far more popular than our ’64, especially the high performance and special variants. This seller makes some bold claims, but their Dart looks like a good find and would be fun to fix up! Find it here on eBay in Peconic, New York with a current bid of $2,550.

1970 Dodge Dart 340 Hood

This seller claims that 1970 was the only year that Dodge offered the 340 in the Dart, yet I’ve found plenty of references stating that the Swinger 340 was available in ’69 and you could get a Dart Demon 340 in ’71 and ’72. So it would seem you could get a 340 in more years than just 1970. That doesn’t make this car any less cool though, just not as rare as the seller thinks.

1970 Dodge Dart

If you were going to by a Dart in ’70, the Swinger 340 was the one to get! Besides having the 275 horsepower 340, they came with a heavy duty suspension, upgraded brakes, a 3.23 rear end and functional hood scoops. While it might not have the grunt of one of the big Mopars, this Dart weighed almost 500 pounds less, that’s a big difference!

1970 Dodge Dart Swinger

I wouldn’t mind having one of these 340 Swingers, they are good looking little muscle cars. I really like the bright Hemi Orange paint on this one, but it’s going to need a lot of work. It’s been taken apart and has plenty of rust issues. While I can live with both issues, I’m not a huge fan of the seller’s choice to not include the engine with the car. It’s said to be original to the car, yet they want the buyer to pay them extra for it. I’m going to guess that’s one of the reasons bidding hasn’t taken off. I would want to find out how much they want for the engine before bidding, but if they are reasonable, it would be worth paying the extra to have the correct 340. What do you think?

Comments

  1. Avatar Joe

    Seller sure doesn’t inspire any confidence. Bad photos, incomplete parts, incomplete cosmetics, bad information, and attempts to auction a “rare” 340 Dart without the 340!!! Worse than any used car salesman. Rule of Thumb: Never buy a car on ebay when the seller starts “Hey Dudes” and guarantees “the Real Deal”. Throw this minnow back in the pond!

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Nick G

    This car, without the engine, is worth next to nothing.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Blindmarc

    Nick is correct on that…….unless the engine is included it might as well be a slant six car.

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  4. Avatar JW

    Next to the Cuda this is my favorite Mopar of the 70 model year. If I could get it for the $2550 I would drop a late model Hemi in it and make it scream. Otherwise I wouldn’t touch it.

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  5. Avatar JW454

    According to Jake Hare, who wrote the “69~74” Mopar Broadcast Sheet Decoder Manual and Peter C. Sessler, who wrote the Dodge & Plymouth Muscle Car Red Book, Chrysler Corporation offered the 340 Cu. I.n. V8 in the “A” body in both Plymouth and Dodge versions from start of production 1968 M.Y. until the 1972 M.Y. production when it was replaced by the 360 Cu. In. Some contend that the 360 was used in the last of the 1972s. I’m not a MOPAR expert but, I think the advertiser of this car may be mistaken.

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  6. Avatar Dolphin Member

    From the Ebay listing item specifics:
    Number of cylinders: 340 V8
    Engine: 340

    From the description:
    “The car was bought in running condition but….The 340 engine is not included in the auction but is available for purchase. ”
    —————————————————–
    So the car is listed in the Ebay item specifics as having a 340 V8, but the car doesn’t actually come with an engine.

    This guy makes bad “used car salesmen” who are selling cars that actually have an engine look pretty good.

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  7. Avatar Steven C

    Classy move holding the engine hostage

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    • Avatar Blindmarc

      Not!

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  8. Avatar Jbone

    Seller states 1970 was the only year that this generation dart cane with 340.
    That statement is completely accurate. 68 and 69 340 darts are of a different body. If you wanted this body with a 340 this would be the only year it was offered.

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  9. Avatar seth

    I live about 20 miles away if anyone wants more pictures/ I am not qualified to give an appraisal though

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  10. Avatar Fiete T

    The 340 was being cast in 1967 for 1968 model A-bodies; Formula S Barracudas and GTS Darts. ’69 the lower-priced/less showy Swinger 340 became available.
    Was available up into ’73, but was a cast crank that final year

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  11. Avatar Blindmarc

    My friend had a 74 road runner that had a 340 in it. Slow, but still had it stated on the hood.

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  12. Avatar stillrunners

    sadly…no comment….

    A-body guy…..

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  13. Avatar John.H from CT

    The AAR Cuda has the beefy version of the 340 in it. I wouldn’t call that slow, especially on the race track. In ’07 a muscle mag did a road test at Road Atlanta of an “as stock” prepared 70 Boss 302 Mustang, 70 Z28 Camaro, 70 Trans Am Javelin, 70 TA Challenger and a 70 AAR Cuda. The Cuda turned the fastest lap time of all of them. I know because I now own the actual car along with the documented tests.

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  14. Avatar Snotty

    Like the 68,69 body style better.

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    • Avatar Rspcharger

      Agreed, what they did to the taillight treatment was a travesty.

      Like 0
  15. Avatar Sam

    Hey Dudes! Watch out!

    I agree with Joe. This guy seems like he is trying to pawn off some rusty junk to some poor sap that doesn’t know any better. Stay away from this one!!

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  16. Avatar Mike

    I bought a 70 swinger in 85, and it had a slant 6 in it, and I put a 340 and tranny out of a destroyed Cuda in it that I bought cheap. I ran the crap out of the car and sold it at a car swap in the mid 90’s. I figured I got my goody out of it.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar MoparMike

    Hey I have a magical moment for you. I attached a picture of a 68′ RT Charger I have for trade. This one comes with the engine at no extra cost. Interested??

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  18. Avatar Blindmarc

    It’s relisted @ 6500 asking price! He now states he has several 340 date coded engines to sell also.

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    • Avatar J-Bone

      I feel its a good buy and I’ll even bet he gets what he wants for it. These cars built as 340 Swinger clones are selling for 20k+
      The real 340 Swingers are into the the low 30’s

      Like 0
  19. Avatar J-Bone

    Thats a Challenger T/A fender in the corner of the picture. Looks like he’s got some goodies.

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  20. Avatar Brian

    1970 340 swingers were no slouch many big blocks left with their tail between their legs after meeting one of these on the boulevard. Options for the 70 model year included dual hood scoops rear spoiler bee stripe ,high impact paint , made it a very flashy little hot rod and it had to be in 1970 to sell.

    Like 0

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