Vehicle Description
1973 Dodge Dart Sport
Although many of the most well-known classic cars are full-size
vehicles, American automakers have made some great compact cars as
well. The Dodge Dart is one prominent example of this fact. This
model, which was built on the Mopar A-Body platform from 1963
through 1976, offered a range of configurations from practical
six-cylinder commuters to potent V8 muscle cars. Today, we'll take
a look back at each step in the evolution of Dodge Dart history
from '63 to '76. In 1973 the Demon fastback was renamed Dart Sport
in response to complaints about the "Demon" name and
devil-with-pitchfork logo. The high performance models thus became
the Dart Sport 340 in 1973 and the Dart Sport 360 for 1974 when the
360ci LA V8 replaced the 340 V8. 1973 saw styling changes to go
along with the name change on the Duster-bodied car.
The malaise era was upon us by 1973 and even though the Mopar camp
was effected by the smog laws coming down from the governmentand
EPA big brothers it didn't stop them from stuffing a high
performanceengine into a lightweight body. Thus was born the Dodge
Dart Sport, thanks Christian groups for killing off one of my
beloved automobilelogos, and this particular car for consignment
was born with and still retains a 340ci V8. Ready to rock and roll
with 4 on the floor, having a rare factory sunroof and presents
mostly original with the exception of the addition of some Mopar
Performance parts in the form the air cleaner, valve covers, and
chromed out Cragar wheels. Read on and join myself and Sherman on
our Waybackmachine trip to 1973.
Exterior
Areas of body fill, and bondo, as well as some undulation in the
panels, can be seen with a close look down the panels of this car.
A shade of purple, a few tones off from Plum Crazy, respray in good
condition covers the exterior of the car. Corresponding areas of
matte black cover the twin scooped hood scoop and the rear spoiler
are noted. Leading the way is the NTSB crash mandated veed out
header panel and eggcrate grille with outboard flanking headlights.
Just below is the redesigned larger than life bumper, now in body
matching purple that has thankfully been stripped of its oversized
black rubber bumperettes. Two AAR style stripes are running the
length of the beltline in gloss white, are large and squared off in
the front quarter panels and doors, but slowly grow taller and
thinner just past the door and end with a white AAR Dart on the
tail of rear quarters. Shiny roof drip rail moldings, and wide sill
moldings are highlighting areas that are not purple. Also, in
chrome is a driver's sport rear view mirror that is controlled by a
joystick in the door panel. At the back of the car we see
aforementionedwing atop the decklid, a good body matching rear
bumper, and a quad of new for '73 squared off tail lights adorning
the edges of the rear filler panel. 15-inch chrome Cragar wheels
adorn the 4 corners and are wrapped in staggered width blackwall
rubber.
Interior
As we open the doors to slip inside we shake hands with plenty of
vertical tuck and roll insert panels among smooth black vinyl
framing for the outside of the door panels. A shiny door actuator
is attached to a black armrest, along with a window crank and
chromed mirror joystick and some applique adds a touch of class.
Sleek high back buckets again with the mixture of tuck and roll and
smooth black vinyl looking just fine sitting next to the carpeted
center hump and just within the drivers reach is the long chrome
armed shifter. The metal inward V shaped dash is painted black with
more wood applique fields housing the temp sliders, the factory AM
radio, and a cluster of gauges and idiot lights in front of the
driver. The instrument cluster is pure factory and very clean and
simple. Speaking of in front of the driver, we note a Mopar Tuff
Wheel mounted atop the fixed position column. Just below are a trio
of aftermarket gauges,a Rockvilleaftermarket AM/FM radio and a
digital tachometer with shift light. For the back bench, more tuck
and roll black vinyl stretches across and these interior charts are
floating in a sea of clean black carpeting. Above is a sagged and
soiled white headliner which frames the crank back factory
sunroof.
Drivetrain
A lift of the purple scooped hood reveals a purple engine bay with
a correct but not discernable as number matching, (see engine
stamping photo), 340ci V8 with a 4 barrel carburetor on top and
dressed with black wrinkle finish and ribbed valve covers and air
cleaner assembly. This is connected to a correct and possibly
numbers matching,with a questionable stamping so for the sake of
honesty we'll refer to the transmission as correct, A833 4-speed
manual transmission. Putting the power to the wide rear tires is a
8 1/4" rear axle.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust, but fortunately no invasive rust is seen on the
underside of the rocker panels, flooring, or unibody structure. The
underside of door jambs have areas of minimal surface rust but are
otherwise unremarkable. Keeping the ride in check is an independent
torsion bar front suspension with power disc brakes and in the back
are leaf springs and power drums. Dual exhaust is on for the exhale
and gently worms its way backwards ending with a pair of Flowmaster
single chamber mufflers just in front of the rear axle.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, smooth runner and great accelerator. The interior
is as comfy as it is muscular. A few nuances crept up during my
time behind the wheel with the horn not tooting, the turn signals
not flashing and the speedometer not ticking off my speed.
Otherwise nice handling and quick stopping bias free braking was at
hand for this test drive.
Born in May of 1973 in Hamtramck, MI, this muscle equipped 340
version of the Dart Sport with some bodywork and a respray is here
for the individual who wants one of these iconic muscle cars but is
willing to work on it a bit after obtaining it. A good car, that
runs well, and starts right up, shifts smoothly, as well as shows
some power, is here at Classic Auto Mall, waiting for your ogle.
Now Sherman, what's say we make a stopover in Watkins Glen on July
28th and check out Summer Jam.
LM29H3B476694
L-Dart
M-Medium Price Class
29-2 Door Sports Hardtop
H-340ci V8 4bbl
3-1973
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
476694-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
