Sweet Survivor? 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger
The most successful sales period for the Dodge Dart was the generation made between 1967-76 (which was also it’s last until a brief comeback years later). From 1969 forward, if a Dodge Dart buyer wanted a two-door hardtop, they ordered the Swinger model (complimented by the Dodge Demon in 1971). This 1970 edition of the Dart Swinger looks like a sweet survivor with several items serviced or replaced recently. It can be found in Douglassville, Pennsylvania. (east of Reading) and is available here on eBay for $9,500 using the Buy It Now feature. Or the seller will entertain offers.
In an effort to make the Dart line-up less pedestrian, Dodge dropped the Dart 2-door sedan in 1969 and rolled out the Swinger 2-door hardtop in its place. While most Swingers came with a six-cylinder or small V-8, you could get the Swinger 340 with more muscle. The cars were refreshed in 1970 to make them look closer in appearance to Dodge’s full-size vehicles. The seller’s 1970 Swinger appears to be finished in Light Gold – and while no reference is made to it – which may be the original paint. The body looks solid and the seller says the car has no rust. Except for one photo, all the pictures of the car are of a smaller resolution and closer inspection isn’t so easy.
This Swinger, which is one of about 120,000 made in 1970, has more than 103,000 miles on it, according to the seller. The fact that it appears to be in such good condition is quite remarkable for that mileage. The interior looks pretty good with no apparent flaws. We’re told there are quite a few new components, including the tailpipe, master brake cylinder, all brake lines, and drum brakes, in addition to the carburetor which has been rebuilt. The little Dodge comes with factory air conditioning which the seller says does its job. As was the case with many of these cars, it comes with the Slant-Six engine – likely the 225 – paired with a Torque-Flite automatic transmission.
The seller points to no specific issues for wanting to sell the car, just that he’s run out of space to keep it any longer. Hagerty quotes about $10,000 for a ’70 Swinger in fair condition and $13,000 for one in good condition. So, if this car is what it seems, the asking price is reasonable. The Dodge Boys were using the advertising slogan “Catch Dodge Fever” back in the day – is this one nice enough for you to catch the fever 50 years later?
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Comments
This appears to be a really nice Swinger (not fond of the color combo), and although I prefer the 318; I could learn to love the six! My dream, though, would be to source an OEM buckets/console/shifter set up for it! Assuming the “no rust” statement is valid, someone’s going to get a good deal! GLWTA!! :-)
This has become the land of Swingers and Gremlins.
Wonder if they new what Swinger really meant???
In 1970 Dodge Division sold a ton of these by offering a deal where if you got certain equipment like vinyl roof . radio, remote mirror and moldings you got the automatic transmission free.The 225 six cylinder engine for this model year does not have the hardened valve seats and you will have to set the valve lash periodically.This car probably sold new for $3300.00 with the A/C option in 1970
In 1965, I wanted a Dart wagon listed for $3,800.00, new from dealer. I just couldn’t pull the trigger. Lack of funds. It would have been perfect for my young family. Slant 6. I wanted a 318 instead for the same money. They were definite that that wasn’t happening.
There are dreamers everywhere. The seller has to get real about the price if he wants to sell it.
My high school car back in the mid 80s, right down to the gold color and the indestructible /6 (mine had black interior and no AC though, the only differences). If I only had the $…
10 Grand is a lot of money on the first look, but it’s daily driveable, and with air, why not? Realistically, I would think an 8.5k offer would move the needle. I had one of these and enjoyed it like a basic high schooler’s car. A Honda Civic of the time. I’m always torn with cars like these. The ask seems high, but there’s probably little work to be done besides tires, and you have a reasonable piece of transportation. You can easily work on it, and you won’t see another every day.
It’s really a matter of preference. Something like this or a 130k mile Camry for your daily. Similar cost, just preference.
It’ll run forever..
Beats the heck outta a late model used Camry. Had a 73 Dart swinger with a 318 auto. In that weird yellow/tan color (Autumn Gold ?? ) it would scoot pretty good with that 318. Good enough for a 18 year old in the 80s.
Too bad Chrysler Corp. doesn’t these good and dependable cars any more! A school friend of mine (since grade school) had a 1971 2 dr. Green Swinger with the slant 6, 225 with Auto, A/C had am/fm Stereo radio, as a H.S. grad present from his Dad. The slant 6 was very reliable/dependable, started everytime even in heavy snow!. I remembered come late fall we put bag of sand for better traction. My friend sold his “Green machine” 10 year later, after we graduated and went our separate ways. It had 250K miles on it and the only thing that we replaced was the timing chain and water pump! Every year we have a reunion in his parents’ house in the basement. He had a picture of it with the gang in the basement rec room/bar and we would talk about the “good old days”.
I had the Plymouth Scamp twin as my first car. Mine was a 72 with the 318.
Slightly darker shade of gold,black vinyl top and beige ish interior.
My father made me get rid of it after the timing chain went at 140k.
Also between the New England winters and a few bender fenders she wasn’t that pretty anymore.
I would be interested if it wasn’t for Covid and the border being shut down. I think Darts are about the only affordable Mopars left.