Solid Start: 1968 Dodge Dart GT
This 1968 Dodge Dart GT is advertised for sale here on eBay. It is located in Yucaipa, California, and is offered with a clean California title. At the time of writing, bidding was sitting at $4,050.
This Dart is by no means perfect, but it could be driven immediately with any restoration work being carried out when time and money permitted. The seller claims that the car is rust-free, and the provided photos seem to back this claim. There is some minor surface corrosion on the trunk floor, but the underside of this Dart looks really clean. The vinyl roof is history and will need replacing, but the seller states that there is no rust under it. There are a couple of trim pieces missing off the passenger side of the car. There appears to be a dent in the left rear quarter panel as though something has side-swiped the car, and if there is it would account for the trim issue.
The interior is a mix of good and bad. The front seats will definitely need new covers, while the back seat appears good except for what appears to be one small seam separation in the center of the seat back. The carpet looks okay, but could possibly benefit from an application of dye. The dash and console are complete and in good condition, but the dash pad is exhibiting a few cracks. The headliner also has a small tear on the passenger side. The rest of the interior plastic and the door trims look really good.
The 273ci V8 is said to run really well. It is backed by a TorqueFlite transmission. The engine has been the recipient of a new aluminum radiator and hoses. The car is also fitted with power steering and factory air conditioning. The Dart has also been fitted with a new battery, new shocks, and the Remington whitewall tires have good tread.
It will be really interesting to see how high the price goes on this Dart. There is no major restoration work required on it and it does appear to be a typically clean Californian car. I don’t think that repairing that rear quarter panel would be a huge job, but it is an irritation. I do like the general originality of it and while there is work required to bring it up to scratch, none of that work appears to be particularly difficult or massively expensive. I guess that if someone was looking for a solid base for their first classic car then this Dart GT might be quite a good option.
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Comments
I’d car this car Superman, why? Mild mannered by day, fire breathing, wheel standing monster, by night. Hard to believe as sedate as this looks, Mr. Norm turned this car into the fastest street car for it’s time, the ’68 440 Dart.( and the REAL kicker, was he sold them for $3295!!) I always get a kick out of that A/C unit, half the size of the engine, and that clutch flywheel has got to suck the hp, even when off. Probably could cool a small office building. Many of these Darts were transformed into muscle cars after Aunt Tillie couldn’t drive anymore. It’s rare to see one like this
That would make a nice Daily driver.
Nice car. Well written ad with decent pictures. I hope the seller gets rewarded for the lack of BS that is becoming the norm.
I’d be surprised not to see a closing bid in the neighborhood of $8,000,
Steve R
Just watched a pristine 70′ 340 Swinger sell on line Mechum(?) $16k. Today. The prices are all over the place for DARTs. Just not that high for 6cyl./273/318 cars.This goes for over $4k as a potential sleeper engine transplant. I would bet. But not much more.
It’s already bid to $6,750 with 2+ days left. Auctions sales are quoted quite often to either support or rebut prices, but I don’t think many average people pay close attention to what’s going on in that corner of the market.
Steve R
I’d say $9,500 is where it will sell. I’ve been watching some similar GTs lately and rust free one’s similar to this example are pulling $9K to $10K these days.
I LOVE this car! I’d fix the vinyl roof, cover the seats, and I would drive it every sunny day. It’s perfect as a driver, (IMHO)!
great little Dart, Do not underestimate the 273, went to school with a guy who had a 64 valiant with a 273. NHRA national record holder. As the guys were saying, this cutie is so nice as is- take to your local body shop and get the roof fixed, and cruise!!
Good Luck to the new owner!!!
I’m thinking 10 large wouldn’t be unreasonable. If it’s as decent as well think. Nice car, light, quick, fun to drive, and you get to hear the Mopar starter whine.
decent as WE ALL think.
Must add that my dad’s ’66 Sattelite/Belvidere 273 CID 1bbl was the savior of the nieghborhood during some brutal winters in the late 70’s /early 80’s.
Dad would sing the jingle “Extra care in engineering, Chrysler Corporation Cars” !
If i had cash in hand in the late ’60s , I’d probably go to Dodge/Plymouth and place an order.
Hey can anyone out there help me out and clear this up.
the ad states “The Beige paint has cool “patina” and is all original!”
but in the photo of the door its painted green. should that be be body color beige?
would that mean this car was originally green not beige?
Nice.
Keep the 273. Good engine
Should get 9 g no problem
sorry, I don’t C any green, bud.
Ur Q even sent me to the fleebay listing. Nuttin.
Now, the interior is green…
I had these (in waggy form) as Dart’n Valients w/170 slant6 (well, Aspen & Volare too).
This would B a lill more interesting!
The interior door tops (above the door panel) should be painted to match the interior. That might be where the color confusion is coming from.
Thanks 37,
Thats what the seller told me also,
so i purchased it, as i wanted an original unrestored car, pretty happy for a little over 8k!!!!
Did anybody else think of “Groundhog Day” when they saw this? Great car, right engine and options. These handle very well, and feel very solidly constructed.
Never had a 273. My first car was a 1968 Coronet with a 318. Loved that car, even if it handled like a pontoon boat. It was light and fast.
I had a similar one some forty years ago in gold with beige interior,no vinyl top though,see this one has the optional 14″ wheels which mine did not,a sweet little ride indeed.
I currently own this Car. It was imported into Australia and I purchased it in January 2019.
Hopefully it’s still the sweet ride pictured. My dream car down to the fender indicators. My last one ended up under a phone pole, slammed into a block retaining wall. I should have let the other guy hit me