$2,000 V8 Dart: 1963 Dodge Dart 270 Wagon
Coming just one year after my personal favorite generation of Dart, the one-year-only 1962, is this 1963 Dodge Dart 270 Wagon. It looks like your average Dart wagon, nothing really too special except for appearing to be in pretty nice condition. It’s location may play a part in that, being in Grand Junction, Colorado. The seller is asking $2,000 for this Dart. Wait, only $2,000?! Wow. It can be found on Craigslist, or here on the CL archive. Thanks to Rube G. for sending in this submission!
Ok, from this angle you can see that all isn’t perfect with this Dart wagon, but still, $2,000 will buy you a complete brake job so this is a potential steal. I love the almost Frenched-in headlight treatment on these third-generation Darts. This car is looking pretty good so far. Dart wagon glass is hard to find, as are a few other wagon parts and pieces, but it looks like things are pretty copacetic with this example.
Listing NADA values sometimes brings a few groans in the comments section, but here goes! How does $6,225 for low retail value sound? $11,700 for an average retail value? A little high? Even so, surely $2,000 is worth a gamble for a car that looks this good on the screen. Is anyone in the gambling mood? There is a bit of rust work to do, but still, if it checks out, n.o.-b.r.a.i.n.e.r!
This is where you have to start using your creative brain, this is where it’s a love it or hate it transition from the basically-stock exterior. This car has an automatic transmission and that shifter, steering wheel, and column-mounted tach are about the furthest thing from stock that there is. I would want to add some dynamat to the floors before putting in new carpet. The seats will mostly likely need new covers, too. But, the back seat looks good. The cargo area is stripped bare other than some aftermarket speakers. Be prepared to do some work back there, too.
Here’s where things get interesting. This does not look like the engine in a $2,000 car to me. If this is a real listing, this car is a drop-dead steal at $2,000. The seller isn’t giving out too much info, which is always a little scary and disappointing, but they say that this car has a “318 V8 3 Speed Auto,, Power Steering, No trades/ I don’t need help selling/ Cash Only.” A 1963 Dodge Dart never came from the factory with a V8 engine and it wasn’t until 1965 when the 273 V8 would be available. It looks like some fabrication may have been done on the engine compartment. It would have been nice if it would have been cleaned up and turned into a choir-singing, clouds-parting, jewel box under there before they put in the perfect-looking 318 V8 engine. For $2,000 one of you had better jump on this thing, and I don’t mean later! This car will not be for sale too much longer.
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Comments
The 273 came in the ’64 Dart GT.
Arggg, you are correct, sir. I thought that I had typed 1964.
Where’s the contact info on Craigslist? It’s usualu at bottom with contact info etc.
Maybe I overlooked it ?
If the person doesn’t list contact information in the ad, there is a “Reply” button in the upper left that, when clicked, will display the contact info.
If it was closer, i’d buy it.
Wow ! Finally a family grocery getter wagon at the right price!
This one could easily grow on a person with the design and basics!
Those buckets would have to go as well as the shifter for me as it really doesn’t fit the nostalgia or car patina.
A late model comfortable front full leather seat that has channel pleats etc.
Hmm could one retro fit a push button automatic on the dash?
I would keep the wheels and caps too!
This has the makings of a nice sleeper hidden muscle car with all disc brakes and semi quiet exhaust .
CS, the push buttons are already there!
PaulG,
Unfortunately you need the two year only (64,65) cable shifted V8 904 trans in order to make the pushbuttons work again. I’ve got two in my basement, but they weren’t easy to come across.
Also, for everybody.. that’s got a 64 grille. It’s likely a 64 V8 car. Finding the factory parts to put a V8 in an early A body isn’t cheap or easy.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that motor alone worth $2K?
Only if it was freshly built.. and only to the guy who paid the bill. 318s are dime a dozen workhorses. You can build them to make power, but why would you if you can start with a nearly identical 360 and build a 408 stroker motor for similar coin?
HA! Be careful what you wish for, I guess. A couple of months ago, I’d have bought this, but after actually moving to Colorado, a vintage pickup is much more in order. This car is a bit much for me anyway, and would have preferred a 6 and automatic. Still, I check CL everyday, and maybe it’s the post holiday bills blues, but there seems to be a ton of classics up for sale. Sign of the times, maybe?
Nice project and a very nice price.thank god they removed the carpet the floor pans and spair tire comp.look very nice for a car that is 55 years old
Price is right. Come on down. Just change that ugly steering wheel, front seats and shifter you got a nice ride. Some minor cosmetics but then you’ve got time on your side. Unless you’re gas monkey garage you won’t need t turn it over for profit immediately.
I “love” the T shifter with the handle sideways… {sarcasm mode}
If this were local to me, I’d be at their house right now. It looks like it would be a fun daily depending on what it still needs.
Sweet looking 1963 Dodge Dart. While I don’t mind the column mounted tachometer, I don’t appreciate the floor mounted gear shift selector.
I had a conv Gt back in the early 80’s. Also changed the tranny to a floor shifter. I hooked the electric fuel pump to the dash pushbuttons. You could not run the engine unless you put the dash in reverse. The backup light switch powered the pump.
Nice anti-theft device, very counter intuitive to most thieves.
Time machine… we vacationed in a 64 Dart wagon, this same color, but a red vinyl interior and a 225 slant six. No A/C, but Mom bought from Spencer Gifts catalog (remember the ‘facial massagers’ they sold? Ha!) this hunk-o-junk that fit over the transmission tunnel, you filled it up with ice, and it blew damp, less-hot air and sloshed ice water on every turn. Ooh, and there are so many more vacation stories in that car….
I like how everybody is surprised this car is only 2k. That is really all it’s worth. Thanks to all these TV shows and car auctions, and flippers, no average car guy can find any deals anymore.
You can’t even find a winter rat for under $2K these days in most places.
had 2 waggys like thisun (’64 & ’66) & the red in sm pic above But…
both w/the sm 170. Put the ’64 engine in the ’66 when the piston blew out knockin the starter off.
Got 300K (tripped around the permitter states of this country) out of that motor.
Perfect size…
Sweet sleeper Mopar.
I’d contemplate some skinny Cragars maybe. Someday a Mopar of this era might be in my future.
I would have to see it in person. If the frame is not rusted through or hacked to hell..I would buy it tomorrow. Borrow my buddies goose neck trailer and dually and have a road trip!
In my teen years I had a 69 Sport Satellite wagon. Dropped a 440 6 pack and a 4 spd in it. This would be close.
My parents had this same model 1963 Dart 270 wagon with 6 and three speed manual, but in beige.
That wagon above has either a 64 grille or it’s a 64, not a 63.
This is a ’64. Side chrome strip is a few inches lower on a ’63. Besides the different grille.
63 Dart