Only 32k Miles: 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger
Dodge introduced the Dart Swinger in 1969 in an attempt to draw more youthful buyers to the otherwise “square” compact. As a 2-door hardtop, it replaced the 2-door sedan of the 1967-68 model years. This 1971 edition looks almost like a new car and – in some respects — it could be better than one. While it has the appearance of a Swinger 340 (check out the stripes and aftermarket hood), a 318 V8 lives there which has a little extra muscle. Located in Jamestown, New York, this nice Dart is available here on eBay for $26,900 OBO. Once again, Tony Primo steps up in the tips department!
The Dart began life as a full-size car going into the 1960s but was revamped as a compact in 1963 to replace the Lancer nameplate. A redesign in 1967 would carry the car through 1976 and it was largely the same as the Plymouth Valiant with some sheet metal differences. A Slant-Six engine was standard equipment which was ample for most needs, though the original purchaser of this car stepped up to the small block eight-cylinder you see in the seller’s Dodge.
This is one sweet-looking, matching numbers, low-mileage ride. The seller says it has just 32,500 miles and they’re documented (but how?). The 318 had a 2-barrel carburetor when new, but that was replaced by a 4-barrel, and new intake manifold, and some bling. With dual exhaust, we’re told it’s a cool-sounding driver whose running condition is excellent. A TorqueFlite automatic transmission and power steering should make it a breeze cruising around in – with cold factory air conditioning, too!
The body is rust-free and the paint has only been redone once in the original color. The matte finish hood with the raised scoop was added before the respray as the seller also has the original hood that was not repainted. The interior is original and looks quite tidy. The Rallye wheels help set off the looks of this Swinger, as does the vinyl roof (IMO). Though the seller is a private party, he/she points out the car has dealer plates (borrowed perhaps for the video the seller also included). For not being a Swinger 340, the asking price may be a little steep, but it looks like you’d get a lot of machine to be proud of.
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Comments
Nobody a Swingin’ anymore? No comments or bids. Chrysler seemed to always stick up for the little guy or gal, you dasn’t need to be a “Swinger” to have fun. Nerds could too, and proof right here. I hope others like my “this car cost new” segments, that I feel puts things in perspective from today, but this car cost a paltry $2546 new for a base Swinger. Options pushed it to almost $4grand. The automatic alone was a whopping $358 bucks. Heater-A/C was even more at $368. The V8 only cost about $50 more. Those little fender mounted turn signal lights, that this car oddly doesn’t have, $10 bucks. Still, this was grammy grams grass cutting money and they sold like 250,000 of them. Most were 6 cylinders but nothing wrong with the 318. Probably one of Chryslers least admired motors, but ironically, probably their best. Someone at Chrysler sure knew what to offer the mainstream public, and convinced then president Virgil Boyd, Chrysler was indeed respected for its performance, or at least LOOKED like they went fast. THAT, my friends is what sold cars in the 70s. Color me old, but I think these cars were the best. Not a full size car, not some wheel stander, a fun dependable, AFFORDABLE car everyone could enjoy and personalize. Too bad that all fell silent, eh?
I think something that is routinely left out or forgotten is back then, in the 60’s and 70’s, most cars could be negotiated to a couple hundred less than sticker. My 70 440-6, 4spd with 323, am radio, p/s, no air, drums all around, vinyl buckets and a few more items (I can’t remember) stickered at just a tick over $4k. My dad, who co-signed my loan, got the number down to $3500 or $3600 (although it seemed closer to one million back then). 11 months later it was stolen. I rushed out and bought a stripper (radio/heater and a 307 v8 were only options), end of year 70 Nova that stickered for $2300 and drove it off the lot for $1900.
I think it was easier to negotiate back then plus, you weren’t forced into packages you didn’t want.
Hmmm ,so the Mopar fan has $25 k burning a hole in his pocket ;
!) a 318 dart (or 340 for another 10 )
2) A 440 powered handbuilt Jensen Interceptor ?
I have had Darts and Dusters ,and currently 2 Interceptors .This has always been a paradox to me .
Again with the hardtop vs sedan thing. I don’t get it. ’67-’69 was available in hardtop, also. The ’70-up didn’t “replace” the sedan. Why this constant misconception (that doesn’t even matter, I’m really not even sure why it’s always mentioned).
Either way, nice car, looks like it would be a good cruiser. I’d prefer the ’70 factory-style hood scoops, but that would be an easy enough change.
I like it though I agree the price is a little steep. If I had the chips, I might go for it.
I had a 1969 Swinger, 340 automatic, black over black, white stripe on trunk,
fast as hell.. Stolen five times despite my anti-theft efforts. Never seen again after 5th theft. Always wondered where it ended up.
My sympathies to you, Sir, on the loss of your car. Baby brother’s 1969 Firebird disappeared for good after the first theft, so at least you got your car back four (4) times before they finally succeeded. Scant comfort, I know, but I’m trying to find some good news in a situation where there is most likely not any good news to be found. Again, my condolences for your loss.
Bill, I’m betting, for several years, you checked out every 69 Swinger 340 that passed you by, hoping to spot something that would identify it as yours. I know I did, when “they” stole my 70 Charger R/T 440-6! I was fortunate enough (?) to have the car insured by my uncle, who somehow found out several parts had been identified in a Milwaukee chop shop bust only 6 months later, less than 100miles north of where I lived at that time.
I would like to point out that the 340 is simply a bored 318, so if you want to kick this bad boy up a notch, a trip to your local machine shop is in order. Once completed, nothing is visible from the outside, but you get more power on the inside, while retaining the numbers matching original engine block. I don’t know if the stock heads need to be machined to match or not, but a set of aftermarket heads will work, possibly with an additional power increase in the bargain! Throw in either a “Six-Pack” manifold, dual quads or EFI, and the smiles per mile should increase substantially!
1972 – 1974 Barracuda / Challenger steering wheel looks different …..nice little Dodge
Can someone tell me the difference between a 71 340 Dart and a 71 340 Swinger? Thanks
They are the same – 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger 340
I’ll always remember my neighbors oldest son brought one new when he got back from Vietnam. He said it was his gift to himself for serviving the war. It orange with black really stripes. He used to do donuts in the middle of the street and I think it was a 340. Later l’d wonder how a mid size car could do what he did with that car. But he was the first guy to have a 67 goat he’d turn donuts with.Never knew how he could afford his cars when l struggled to buy a 5 speed bicycle back then.
Never mind it’s the same car. Man some times l really embarrass myself with some of the questions I ask. Sorry
“Apology accepted, Captain Needa.” – Darth Vader, as he chokes Captain Needa to death using the Force!
Can anybody tell me if the Dart “Swinger” trim level survived in 1972? IIRC, the Plymouth Duster and Dodge Demon twins were introduced in the 1972 Model Year, and those variants replaced the “Swinger” trim level, which was only available on Dart & Valiant two-door coupes (in the Valiant as the “Scamp” option, but I digress). Four-door sedans were simply Darts or Valiants.
Swingers lasted all the way to the end in 1976 . The Demon was Dodges version of the Duster , and its name was changed to Dart Sport in 1973 Scamps, Dusters, Swingers and Dart Sports as well as the sedan versions were around until they were replaced by the Volare/Aspen