Old Reliable: 1975 Dodge Dart Sport
Once seen everywhere, most Dodge Darts discovered today are generally performance-oriented models (GT-GTS) that have been saved for obvious reasons. As for the more plebian models like this 1975 Dart Sport, they’re a seldom-seen find these days – especially an example that’s as nice as this discovery, courtesy of Pat L. Hanging out in central L.A., this clean Dart is available, here on craigslist for $8,500.
The 1975 Dodge Dart came in many flavors – more than I realized. Trim levels included the Dart, Dart Custom, Dart Sport – such as our subject car, Dart Swinger, and the Special Edition. The Dart Sport came in a two-door sedan (or coupe, if you prefer) body style only, and it’s the sole Dart model to use the design that was previously known as the Dodge Demon as well as the Plymouth Duster. Total Dart production was brisk in ’75 with 164K finding first-time driveways. Of that total, 36K were Dart Sports.
The seller states, “all original always garage kept rust-free runs and looks good“, and with that, I would have to agree. This car has a very stock bearing with the exception being the nice looking aftermarket wheels. The mileage is listed as 113K but neither that nor 48 years of existence, have dulled this Dart’s appearance. Even the vinyl top still shows well. Unfortunately, the five MPH jutting bumpers don’t do this Dart any aesthetic favors.
No V8 here, just a reliable 90 net HP, 225 CI, “slant-six” engine which the seller claims, “turn key ready to go” meaning, I guess, no mechanical attention is needed. The engine compartment shows as being original and complete. Typically, an automatic transmission is in place and this Dart, owing to its fuel cap warning, is a first-year “lead-free fuel only” model thanks to its now required catalytic converter.
The interior is a basic no-frills Mopar compact environment whose only drawback is a split front seat bottom. More than likely, the dash pad has an issue too as it’s covered with a carpeted dash topper. Beyond these two items, it’s an unremarkable, but clean setting. This is an A/C-equipped car but there’s no word regarding actual operation.
I suppose, in time, everything comes out of the woodwork. The aforementioned Dart GT and GTS have become way overpriced so interest moves downstream to the more pedestrian versions. The problem with that backward progression is that there just aren’t that many standard models, like this 48-year-old Dodge Dart that are still available – especially in the condition of this fine-looking L.A. resident. Some can argue that the price of this car is too high but I don’t think it’s too out of line, perhaps a bit. As for a buyer – it will find one, what’s old is new all over again, right?
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Comments
Definitely worth 8500….
Very similar to my first car — a 1973 Dodge Dart — same body (ours didn’t have the vynal roof) — had the bench seats though and the back set folded down into the trunk.. It was a pale light green color we called it ‘the super slime’. Bought it with my twin sister – we each put in $250 lol. Was not a bad first car and it never broke on us all through high school :)
1971 was my first Demon,,, vynal roof,,
90 net HP was later, after 1980. This is probably 100 net, or maybe even 105 net. While the air conditioning is nice, must be hard for this engine. Those compressors were awful, took 10 or 15 HP. I had one on a 318 and you could feel the engine lug down and moan when it kicked in. Good luck affording Freon.
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1975/654380/dodge_dart_sport_2-door_coupe_225_six_torqueflite.html
My source, claims 90 net HP.
JO
I can buy a lot of R12 for the price of the R1234YF used in my new Challenger-$60.00 to $90.00 per pound depending on how connected you are!
Or, it’s any easy conversion to R134, but that may soon be MORE expensive than R12.
These were nice cars. Power disk front brakes, 4 1/2″ bolt circle, A904 trans under low load from the slant-6 will last forever if you just leave it alone. I would replace the timing chain and continue to run the wheels off of it. I would put a relay and button switch to turn off the A/C compressor clutch at WOT to recover the 15-20HP that it took to run it.
I wonder how many mpg it gets without the AC turned on.
had a duster same vintage with no ice and got 20mpg out of it with rfg(mtbe) gas
I don’t think the GT’s (not really “performance-oriented”, you could get with a /6) or the GTS’s have become “overpriced”. They haven’t gone up in price near as much as most of the muscle cars have. If you meant a GTS as compared to a /6 or 318 base model or even non-performance GT, then sure, of course.
This looks like a nice car for the price. Bumpers are pretty easy to modify to look better, and the /6 could be given better performance or upgraded to a V8 (which, in the case of this car, I would personally not do). Let the car be itself!
I had a 73 2 door Swinger 318 , my grandfather had a 73 4 door “custom” also 318. Both a dark yellow. His was mint till the day he sold it. Mine was a $250.00 car in 1989 . Got what I paid for. None the less these were very cool cars. Woukd love to have one now
I bought one of these brand new in 75. Behind the Vega I drove for a while this was the worst car I’ve ever owned. It was built early in the emissions era and could barely pull itself out of its own way. It was recalled because it would stall when stepping on the gas pedal too hard. Great for pulling into traffic. Leaked around the windshield and started rusting under the dash within weeks of purchase.
I was given a ’76 Valiant sedan by its original owner. V8, A51 package, passenger door mirror, HD cooling, 2.76 SG rear end…has 88k & change on the odometer as of 3 weeks ago when I last drove it. Work around a couple design & era issues and it’s been stupid easy to own. Have a GT350 as well and it’s the beige Valiant that is a magnet
Dart is priced at just about market. slant 6, is almost indestructible. and fairly good fuel mileage for an old car these days. It will get about 2X what my 425 Delmont Olds gets. Taking a que from Mr. rogers: “Can we say 9 Miles to the gallon, boys and girls?”