Often, when we cover Dart GTs, it’s the ’68-’70 edition that gets all the attention. Styling is always subjective, of course, but the third-gen (’63-’66), such as today’s ’65 subject, is a bit, well, you know, ungainly looking, and the fourth-gen (’67-’76), at least the first three years, was a real knockout styling-wise. But…this Dart GT is cool! It’s hardly perfect, and I’m finding that to be a more attractive trait these days – and this one has some noteworthy upgrades. Rob found the listing for this Kelseyville, California, black-tagged compact, and it’s listed here on craigslist for $7,500.
Dodge’s Dart, downsized for ’63 on the A-body platform, was offered in Standard/170, 270, and GT trim levels. That arrangement was still the case in ’65, when 205K buyers decided to partake of this stout and durable compact. The total GT volume reached 41K units that year, though only 18K were outfitted with a V8 engine. The seller tells us, “Solid California body with original paint. Built as a patina sleeper style driver,” and it’s far from perfect. Yes, it has some dents, contusions, scrapes and errant primer sprayed about, but really, no egregious issues. This Dart is trying to project an old-skool hot-rod vibe, and I think it pulls it off reasonably well. Finally, to complete the picture, the seller notes, “Steelies with Mopar poverty caps.”
In 1965, a V8-powered Dart meant a 235 gross HP 273 CI powerplant. Well, things here have been upgraded a bit to a 318 CI motor, one that looks impressive, but the seller tells us nothing about its bearing, other than to say, “a great running 318 V8 and 4 Speed manual transmission.” That’s unfortunate, as a rig of this nature just invites questions.
The interior appears to be purposeful, but that’s about it. The seats have either been reupholstered or are wearing seat covers, but they’re certainly presentable, and the front buckets match the rear bench. The instrument panel has lost some of its chrome-plated plastic luster, but it seems OK overall, while under-dash engine gauges and a competition steering wheel have been added to help complete the look. The door panels and headliner are a bit rumply, and there’s a carpet or something similar adorning the dash, but hey, this is a race car, right? No need for show car quality.
I went to a well-attended car show today, and there were many of the usual suspects, Chevelles, Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs, Buick GSs, and a lot of newer Dodge Challengers, which I never really understood, but all are welcome at this event. The most obvious characteristic was the pristine condition that every participant bore – and that’s expected – cool cars with cooler finishes. What I didn’t see were any backyard-built hot rods; you know the kind that you used to encounter long ago, where performance mattered, and aesthetics didn’t. And that’s what I find refreshing about this Dart – it takes me back to a long-ago era. And in this Barrett-Jackson/Mecum infected auto exchange world, the $7,500 ask is a bit of a throwback, too, wouldn’t you agree?
Well, J O, I think it’s really cool. Having had Valiants of this vintage, the Dart was just a little fancier. I read, the 318 was not available with a 4 speed, in fact a 318 wasn’t available until 1968. The 273 was a stout motor, and didn’t gain much with a 318, but a really fun car, and the price? I don’t mean to gloat, but whasamatter, Californy, nobody buying your 5 figure classics? It’s a great find.
Yep – fancy – not…..didn’t come with a factory tach like it’s cousin….the Formula S Cuda……as for the 318 the seller is not saying it’s the factory motor but a nice upgrade from the 273. Still hard to find in this condition so maybe go make an offer….
Look at a map, this car is located in the middle of nowhere in an economically depressed area.
Steve R
Boy its a strange looking design. But would be fun to drive. Especially for a lower price.
I went to a Mopar classic drive in this spring, also surprised that 50% were new dodge’s, they seem to have quite the following
This line says so much of where my head has been for years, and still is.
“What I didn’t see were any backyard-built hot rods; you know the kind that you used to encounter long ago, where performance mattered, and aesthetics didn’t.”
Again: “where performance mattered, and aesthetics didn’t”.
Thank you Jim.
This is also a great body/chassis to swap in the 331-cubic-inch FirePower V8 from the 51 Chrysler listed as a barn find back on July 8, if it will fit. 318 is nice but generic.
I think the 65’s were the only year with the chrome split roof treatment. I’m a fan, though it feels wrong not to have a push-button automatic and slant six.
When doing the work for an engine swap… Unless the 318 was already on hand, or the budget would not have allowed it: A 340 would have been more fun, and leveled up the sleeper concept.
Priced any (really hard to find) 340’s lately ?
cool looking. lame steering wheel.
One of my big sisters male buddies had a ’65 Dart GT 4 speed, and I was enamored with the car. To the best of my knowledge, these were some of the very first factory cars with beefy exhaust. The single rectangular drivers side exhaust tip really impressed this 15 year old boy. (I am probably mistaken, but I thought all 273 GTs had that)
Cool car. It also has upgraded wheels/tires. No more 13″ ers on this car. Should get upgraded brakes. The standard brakes on these are dismal at best.
14″ were available in 1965 on A-bodies….the Formula S came factory with them – since the GT could be had with a slant 6 – I’m sure it was an option.
Not a beat up missing parts car – not a Mustang or Chevy II but it sure drives better…..owned both of those with V/8’s…..if your in the market this would be a good buy close to the ask.
You are right. The problem is it’s location, if you dropped this car closer to a large population center I would be surprised if it hadn’t already sold. The area where it’s located is pretty impoverished I believe all roads between highway 101 on the west and 5 on the east winding 2 lanes.
I have a friend that has a house in the area, he says cars from this era are still pretty common at reasonable prices.
Steve R
Neat little Dart. V8 and 4-speed is not that common. You could do worse.