The Dodge Dart was a popular compact car produced across two generations from 1963 to 1976. Collector interest today leans toward sporty or performance models like the Dart GTS and Swinger 340. But is there much of a market for a basic 4-door sedan with a Slant-Six engine? Especially one that’s rusty and needs work. The seller hopes so with this 1972 edition in Abington, Massachusetts. It’s available here on eBay, where an opening bid of $2,050 has yet to be cast.
Chrysler redesigned the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant in 1967, providing a foundation that would soldier on through the mid-1970s. These cars sold quite well but usually behind the likes of the Chevrolet Nova and Ford Falcon. Examples like the seller’s car were commonly seen and pretty cheap. The only major option on this car might be its TorqueFlite automatic transmission, paired with Chrysler’s venerable 225 cubic-inch six-banger. The seller says this Dodge will run off a gas can and needs a new fuel tank, which the seller is providing.
Though the seller believes this Dart to be accident-free, we see lots of rust in the sheet metal, particularly in the rear quarter panels. But the underpinnings may be solid as the doors open and close soundly at 71,000 miles. The brakes on the vehicle are shot, and the seller says one of them is seized, meaning the Dodge may be hard to load onto a trailer.
We’re told this is a “nice” project car, but will anyone take the plunge and restore it to its original but ordinary roots? Perhaps it may work better as a donor or parts car, but will the Slant-Six be desirable enough for making a transplant? Good buy or goodbye?
It looks like a better parts car than project. If I was restoring a 72 Dart and needed part I’d probably pay up to 50% of the value of the parts I could use and sell.
Steve R
Nice looking car. I’ve always been interested in the 1970-72 Dodge Dart. Assuming parts are there, this would make an awesome resto or possible restomod.
Yep, too many doors and too far gone. Like Steve says, this one is for parts, if you could get a good deal.
I don’t know why so many folks are down on four door cars. They are a lot handier than two-doorers and the engineer in me thinks they look great in their practicality. Besides, I would think by now they are more rare than the sports coupes and convertibles that survived while the sedans went to the junk yard. Besides, chances are a four door Biscayne was more likely to be the family car you grew up and have childhood memories in rather than the Impala Super Sport coupe. Just sayin’
Like I’ve said before…. The view across the hood from behind the wheel is exactly the same from a door car as a 1 door car. I agree with you Dave, nothing wrong with 4 doors.
That was supposed to say 2 door car and 4 door car. All I can say is fat thumbs and a glass of bourbon at night to unwind on Barnfinds is responsible for my typing mistakes.
Hope it was good bourbon. Maker’s Mark, at lrast.
@David Sandford, is there really any bad bourbon??? It was good!!!
Dave
I’ve never heard of bad bourbon, but Maker’s Mark is still my favorite.
Obviously this car is junk, and nobody is going to rescue it.
About 20 years ago, I saw a similar Dart on ebay in perfect condition, no rust, low miles, slant-6. It was the same yellow color as my stepdad’s ’72 Dart.
So, on a lark I bid $1000 and went to work, only to return to find I’d bought the car. $700 in shipping later, I had the car. It ran great, had nice paint, and had almost no flaws. But my wife said it looked like an “old man’s car”.
So, I put a for sale sign on it and a high school girl from across the street just loved it and bought it. My point is that back then, prices weren’t crazy stupid like they are now.
I’m still waiting for that “correction” in classic car prices that has been mentioned on this site numerous times.