Solid Body/360ci V8/727 Torqueflite/Clean Undercarriage

1971 Dodge Dart Swinger Additional Info:

1971 Dodge Dart Swinger
The Dart was totally refreshed for 1970 with front and rear design changes to bring the car closer to the design themes found in Dodge's full-size vehicles. This was achieved through grille and contour changes. In the rear, the Dart's new rectangular tail lamps were set into a wedge-shaped rear bumper. The Dart convertible was discontinued along with the optional 383ci big block, leaving the 340 4-bbl as the top Dart engine. The 1971 Dart received new smaller quad tail lamps that would be used through 1973. The Swinger 340 was replaced in 1971 by the Demon 340. Changes for 1972 included a revised grill without the central divider of the 1970-71 item, new surface-mounted side marker lamps rather than the previous flush-mount units, a new instrument cluster featuring a large rectangular speedometer, and the AM/FM radio option returned to the Dart line.
For consignment, a Medium Green repainted Dodge Dart Swinger in nice condition. Nice enough to drive as is or take to the next level and have a real showstopper with an upgrade from the lowly 6 cylinder leaning tower of power to a now 360ci V8 and recovered correct but non-original bucket seats.
Exterior
Medium Green Metallic, a respray, covers rust free straight panels for this machine. It is all looking factory from the grille to the rally wheels, to the twin scooped hood. We can see a few runs in the paint on the vertical surfaces, inclusions in the paint on nearly every panel and the remnants of unremoved adhesive on the roof from the former vinyl top. Dual hood scoops also in Medium Green Metallic adorn the hood, which cozies up to the front glass, which is all surrounded by beautiful shiny stainless trim, as is all glass for this cabin cover, but we note a missing piece of trim at the top left of the windshield. Badging placement, comes to a roost on the rear of the front fenders just in front of the doors and a thin chrome trimmed black vinyl beltline breaks up the sea of green. A body colored gas cap, and inset tail lighting into the rear bumper add to the buttoned up look, and just below are dual exhaust tips peeking out from under the bumper. A shout out to the curvature of the rear glass which also adds to the Swinger for 1971 look. 14-inch Mopar rally wheels are on all 4 corners and are looking great with polished trim rings and OWL radials. A swinger with looks that sting...read on!!
Interior
As we open the doors to slip inside, we shake hands with plenty of vertical tuck and roll insert panels among smooth green vinyl framing for the outside of the door panels. A shiny door actuator is attached to a dark green armrest, along with a window crank and chromed mirror joystick. Some wrinkling is evident on the lower section of the vinyl panel, creating an egg crate pattern. Sleek high back buckets with the mixture of black tuck and roll and smooth pine green tweed looking nearly perfect flanking the black carpeted center hump. The metal inward V shaped dash is painted green with the new for '71 instrument cluster and wood applique that sweeps across the front top of the dash just below the green padded topper. Dash center holds the chrome slides for the heater as well as an AM/FM/Cassette stereo. Just below are a trio of aftermarket gauges. For the back bench, more tuck and roll black inserts and smooth pine tweed stretches across and these interior chairs are floating in a sea of clean black carpeting. This car will make others green with envy.
Drivetrain
Underneath the hood in a restored but patina showing medium green engine bay, is a nicely presenting but not original 360ci V8. There is a gleaming 4-barrel Edelbrock carburetor and aluminum intake manifold atop, covered by an open chromed air filter cover. Chrome valve coverings are noted, and on back a A727 3-speed automatic transmission resides. For the rear axle, the original 7 1/4 inches with an unknown ratio spins the tires.
Undercarriage
All looking good down below with factory undercoated flooring and unibody with a mix of surface rust thrown in for good measure, but all remaining strong and solid. Independent torsion bar front suspension, and leaf spring for the rear, along with drum brakes in front and back. Headers and a Turbo muffler system is in dual form and snaking its way rearward.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, smooth runner and great accelerator. The interior is as comfy as it is flawless, and all functions were working perfectly. Nice handling and quick stopping bias free braking was at hand for this test drive.
Overall a nice and not oft seen version of the 1971 Dart Swinger. A driver quality repaint on a solid body, an engine upgrade and we are in ready to rock and roll territory. Check it out because if you monkey around too long, you'll miss out on your chance to swing around town with your very own Swinger.