Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

1974 Dodge Dart Swinger Hardtop 318/3spd. Torqueflite. 54,xxx Original Miles. on 2040-cars

Year:1974 Mileage:54136 Color: Orange /
 Tan
Location:

Belleville, Illinois, United States

Belleville, Illinois, United States
Advertising:
Transmission:Automatic
Body Type:Coupe
Engine:318 C.I. (E44 Code 230 HP)
Vehicle Title:Clear
Fuel Type:Gasoline
For Sale By:Private Seller
VIN: LH23G4G214477 Year: 1974
Number of Cylinders: 8
Model: Dart
Trim: Swinger
Drive Type: RWD
Options: Cassette Player
Mileage: 54,136
Exterior Color: Orange
Interior Color: Tan
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

Everyone loves a good car story, and here's your chance to be a part of one. Read on:

I work at a rather large Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram dealership in Southern Illinois. One of the many small perks of this job is taking the chance every day to walk the wholesale lot to check out the interesting older trade-in cars that arrive and depart quietly, most often without much fanfare.

However, on occasion, the glimmer of a chrome bumper or the black canvas of a convertible top (see my other listing for the low-mileage 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible)  catches the eye and warrants a closer look. That's what happened with this car, and as so often as is the case, that closer look led to bringing her home. I am nothing if not a hopeless romantic when it comes to classic cars. Some people rescue puppies and kittens. Me? The thought of this motor finding her way to an urban "Buy Here, Pay Here" lot where she would almost certainly be butchered and abused, fitted with some horrid 22" wheels and eventually wrapped around a telephone pole or left to rot when the new owner couldn't figure out how to replace the rapidly-worn front end components that his "customizations" had accelerated left me unable to sleep at night. So, I decided to investigate further.

The story as I have been told it by the salesman who took the car in on trade, and that I have supported by the available evidence, is this: The previous owner purchased the car in 1981, with a total mileage of 40,xxx according to the title that came with the car. The car was driven very little in the 30 plus years that the gentleman owned it, but he had recently begun to bring the car up to a respectable state. As the project went on, the gentleman decided to instead focus his finances on something more modern, and contacted our dealership regarding the purchase of a new 2013 Dodge Dart. The new car was delivered to his home on a flatbed truck, and the '74 was collected and brought back to the dealership where I became aware of it. I'm am also told that not too few a tear was shed by the gentleman as the car he had owned for 32 years made its way down the road. 

Sometime during his ownership, the car had a Ziebart undercoating done, so the car exhibits very solid underpinnings. The previous owner began to repair the car back to roadworthy condition, starting with repairing the sill rot that is common on these cars. There is evidence that other semi-professional body repairs were undertaken, presumably with the idea of removing and stopping any rust appearance. The car appears to have had an "Earl Scheib" level respray at some point in what I believe is a GM (60's-70's Chevy Impala?) orangey-red. 

However, where the most time/attention/money was spent was in the driveline and suspension. The car is currently showing 54,138 miles after driving it to work and back today (74.8 miles), and I absolutely believe that these are the genuine miles. The transmission (original standard-duty Torqueflite 3 speed automatic) was rebuilt about 2000 miles ago, and the engine (which according to the "E44" stamp on the build tag is the 230HP 2 barrel 318 c.i. V8) has been tuned up and starts, idles and runs smooth, strong and just plain brilliantly, even up to 100mph (professional driver on a closed course, of course). Most impressive, though, is the ride quality. All four corners have had the suspension components replaced, and the car simply glides down the road in quiet comfort. If you're looking for the ultimate daily-driver classic MoPar, I think you really would be hard-pressed to find a better one. 

When I say "daily driver", I mean just that. If you're looking to purchase a solid car that can be hopped in and driven at a moment's notice, here's your ride. I've proved this to myself by driving over 800 miles in the car in the last month. No leaks, no drips, no noises apart from the quiet rumble of that gorgeous 318. I've replaced the fluids (engine, transmission, rear end and coolant) as a matter of precaution, though apart from the engine oil, none of them showed any signs of age or consumption.

Where the car does need help is the interior, though the present state certainly hasn't kept the family and I from enjoying a good few cruises in the car. The dash is cracked and the seats are tired, but the car is certainly in "drivable restoration" condition. The car originally was copper with a black vinyl top, and would look fantastic in that livery once again.

However, as Bob Dylan said, "Times, they are a-changin'", and so it goes with my time with the car. I purchased the car to save her from the certain doom of the wholesale lot, but I have a two car garage with a convertible, a classic, a motorcycle and the wife's minivan. I can't justify keeping her out of selfishness or greed, so I've decided to try to find her a good home to go to. To prove my desire to see her with someone who deserves such a sweet ride, I've decided to list the car for my absolute bottom-dollar price, and start the auction with no reserve. To assure you of how awesome this car drives, I will deliver it for gas money plus mileage (via driving the car @ $0.40/mile) within 500 miles of St. Louis, Missouri. 

This car in this condition is worth what I am asking for it. I know it is certainly not perfect, which is why I'm not asking more. But, as the base for a full restoration, it'll be pretty hard to beat.

I welcome questions from genuinely interested buyers. I also welcome accurate information/correction from persons more knowledgable than myself about the car.

I am an honest seller, so please be an honest bidder so we don't waste your or my time. Happy bidding!

Auto Services in Illinois

Youngbloods RV Center ★★★★★

Automobile Parts & Supplies, Recreational Vehicles & Campers, Truck Caps, Shells & Liners
Address: 5146 Heartland Dr, Joppa
Phone: (866) 595-6470

Village Garage & Tire ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Tire Dealers
Address: 841 N Main St, Oak-Brk-Mall
Phone: (630) 469-9700

Villa Park Auto Clinic ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Tire Dealers
Address: 299 E Saint Charles Rd, Mc-Cook
Phone: (630) 832-3160

Vfc Engineering ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Diagnostic Service, Automobile Inspection Stations & Services
Address: 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Cicero
Phone: (773) 275-4832

Valvoline Instant Oil Change ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Auto Oil & Lube, Automotive Tune Up Service
Address: 10611 Lincoln Trl, Venice
Phone: (866) 595-6470

USA Muffler & Brake ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Brake Repair
Address: 11044 S Western Ave, Mount-Greenwood
Phone: (773) 238-1333

Auto blog

Autoblog's Editors' Picks: Our complete list of the best new vehicles

Mon, May 13 2024

It's not easy to earn an “EditorsÂ’ Picks” at Autoblog as part of the rating and review process that every new vehicle goes through. Our editors have been at it a long time, which means weÂ’ve driven and reviewed virtually every new car you can go buy on the dealer lot. There are disagreements, of course, and all vehicles have their strengths and weaknesses, but this list features what we think are the best new vehicles chosen by Autoblog editors. We started this formal review process back in 2018, so there's quite of few of them now. So what does it mean to be an EditorsÂ’ Pick? In short, it means itÂ’s a car that we can highly recommend purchasing. There may be one, multiple, or even zero vehicles in any given segment that we give the green light to. What really matters is that itÂ’s a vehicle that weÂ’d tell a friend or family member to go buy if theyÂ’re considering it, because itÂ’s a very good car. The best way to use this list is is with the navigation links below. Click on a segment, and you'll quickly arrive at the top rated pickup truck or SUV, for example. Use the back button to return to these links and search in another segment, like sedans. If youÂ’ve been keeping up with our monthly series of the latest vehicles to earn EditorsÂ’ Pick status, youÂ’re likely going to be familiar with this list already. If not, welcome to the complete list that weÂ’ll be keeping updated as vehicles enter (and others perhaps exit) the good graces of our editorial team. We rate a new car — giving it a numerical score out of 10 — every time thereÂ’s a significant refresh or if it happens to be an all-new model. Any given vehicle may be impressive on a first drive, but we wait until itÂ’s in the hands of our editors to put it through the same type of testing as every other vehicle that rolls through our test fleet before giving it the EditorsÂ’ Pick badge. This ensures consistency and allows more voices to be heard on each individual model. And just so you donÂ’t think weÂ’ve skipped trims or variants of a model, we hand out the EditorsÂ’ Pick based on the overarching model to keep things consistent. So, when you read that the 3 Series is an EditorsÂ’ Pick, yes, that includes the 330i to the M3 and all the variants in between. If thereÂ’s a particular version of that car we vehemently disagree with, we make sure to call that out.

Mopar highlights wild SEMA creations, AWD Challenger Concept

Tue, Nov 3 2015

Thanks to 15,345 square feet of display area, FCA US' Mopar division certainly has ample space to display its parts and accessories at the SEMA Show. To lure attendees to check out all of those cars and components, the company is now revealing ten tuned vehicles for this year's aftermarket event. This isn't even the brand's whole fleet for the show, but it includes some major highlights for Dodge and Ram fans. A lack of traction traditionally makes rear-wheel-drive muscle cars dismal to drive when the weather gets slippery, but the Dodge Challenger GT AWD Concept (above) solves that age-old problem at SEMA. In addition to powering all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic, it boasts an angry-looking, wide-body kit with aggressively flared wheel arches. The asymmetrical stripe with Header Orange accents also adds some extra panache to the Destroyer Grey and Matte Black color scheme. The coupe can back up the macho look thanks to the Scat Pack 3 Performance Kit that adds 75 horsepower and 44 pound-feet of torque to the 5.7-liter V8. However, before you get too excited about driving one this winter, FCA US spokesperson Ariel Gavilan tells Autoblog: "It is only a concept." Mopar isn't done tuning Dodges for SEMA. The Charger Deep Stage 3 shows what's possible with the company's catalog by packing the Scat Pack 3, strut tower braces, coilover suspension kit, and bigger brakes. Meanwhile, the blacked-out Dart GLH Concept tries to harken back to the style of the famous Omni GLH by fitting a red-accented body kit, including a Mopar Performance aluminum hood. If the standard Ram 1500 Rebel is somehow too subdued, check out the Rebel X (right) in a vibrant shade called Copper. To be ready for anything offroad, it wears some muscular flares to fit 17-inch beadlock wheels and 35-inch Toyo tires. A concept, two-piece front skid plate protects the front. Drivers should also be comfortable no matter where they drive thanks to prototype Katzkin leather seats and a concept air-ride suspension. Chrysler enjoys some mods, as well. The 300 Super S has suave style with Matte Cerulean paint, concept 22-inch wheels, and a grille with little Mopar Ms dotted around it. Performance also sees a boost with a tuned engine, bigger brakes, and coilover kit. The gray 200 S Mopar is similarly stylish with a complete body kit, including a conceptual, dual-vented hood. Fiat and Ram's commercial models aren't left out of the SEMA fun, either.

2014 Dodge Dart Blacktop glosses over performance

Tue, 14 Jan 2014

The Dodge Dart is a decent little car. It's honest, basic transportation, and many of us at Autoblog are genuinely fond of the Alfa Romeo-based compact sedan. For 2014, not a whole lot changes in the Dart world, save the addition of this new Blacktop edition that makes its debut here at the Detroit Auto Show.
It's all very simple, this Blacktop package, and doesn't actually alter performance in any way. Instead, buyers are treated to blacked-out exterior bits like 18-inch wheels, the crosshair grille and headlamp bezels. Inside, black/tungsten or black/red cloth seats are available, with red contrast stitching throughout the cabin.
Adding the Blacktop pack to your Dart SXT with the Rallye Appearance Group will set you back a scant $295, and while it's just an appearance package, it all looks pretty nice to us.