Vehicle Description
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger
In the 1972 television commercial, the Swinger is promoted as "Dart
Swinger, two door hardtop that appeals to youngsters 18 to 80" but
we had to go back to 1970 to find a dedicated print ad which read,
"If you're a swinger who thinks your budget can't swing a new car
this year, take a look at the new Dart Swinger. If you won't take
small for an answer, you could be Dodge Material." This last appeal
is accompanied by a smiling model. Ah, the swinging 70's!
For consignment, a 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger 2 door hardtop showing
47,621 non actual miles, the recipient of a rotisserie restoration
and packing a 440ci V8 from a '69 Chrysler with headers and dual
exhaust. Nearly 150,000 Swingers were produced in 1972 and this
once common commuter car of the 70's is now a collectible Mopar and
just plain cool.
Exterior
If simply covered in a coat of the Eggshell White paint, it would
beautiful, but the two stage paint and heck, the entire car is
enhanced by the gold decal stripe that runs the length of the car
and swells towards the back, very much in the shape of an actual
dart flying towards the back with a trailing jet stream. The body
is sandwiched between black tires around 15-inch Mopar Rally
wheels, and the black vinyl top, all of which are in excellent
condition. A unique curved rear window hints at flying buttresses
but stops short of fully expressing them as seen on the more sport
oriented B-bodies of the era. Quad tail lights embedded in the
chrome bumper are unmistakable and twin exhaust tips protrude from
underneath. With close examination, the front grille and headlight
bezels are a complex arrangement of shapes and contours,
highlighted by the crosshair design fronting the marker lights. The
Swinger emblems on each front fender are worth their weight in gold
with the period portrayal of a flower. Paint, roof, and brightwork
are in excellent shape and a few bubbles down low are the only
imperfections we find.
Interior
Stunning beige vinyl with woodgrain inserts and silver trim make
for handsome door cards when matched with the body colored painted
frame. Our consignor states the interior is original and we don't
doubt it looking at the vinyl split bench seat with slight patina
in front and the wonderfully clean rear bench. There's particular
pride in the original steering wheel with working horn buttons in
immaculate condition and fronting a woodgrain lined dashboard that
houses a rectangular speedometer flanked by four round gauges, all
accompanied by the added tachometer next to the steering column.
The most basic of A/C panels is found in the middle over an equally
simple AM radio and the entire dash is in great shape. The column
shifted car has an open floor with a tan loop carpet with built in
heel pad and a perforated headliner, all in nice condition. The
vacuous trunk is clean and lined with a plaid vinyl mat for
protection. Note that there is a crack on the passenger side of the
windshield.
Drivetrain
The engine bay is clean and home to a 440ci V8 with a small cam and
a Holley 750cfm double pumper 4-barrel carburetor. Our consignor
claims this is good for "about 400hp". Meanwhile, an A727
Torqueflite 3-speed automatic with shift kit is mated to the engine
sending power to an 8 �" rear with 3.55 gears and Sure Grip. And
get this, power disc brakes are front and rear! There's also a
Griffin aluminum radiator to keep things cool, man, cool.
Undercarriage
We've got a clean underside with minimal surface rust and only a
drop or two of oil on the pan. The dual exhaust comes from the
headers and flows through Turbo mufflers before exiting via chrome
tips out back. Suspension is configured as torsion bar up front and
leaf springs in the back, and sway bars are fitted front and
back.
Drive-ability
The 440 lights up like an M80 and we swing this Dart onto the test
loop where this 70's "compact" car does everything well, from
acceleration, to handling, to braking. It's got the components to
be a decathlete and other than the pedestrian bench seat, this well
sorted car is a performer! But you'll want to keep an eye on the
fuel gauge as it's inaccurate. All other functions worked as they
should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions
were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee
these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
The Dodge Dart was considered a small car in the 70's and was very
common. If you didn't have one, you probably knew someone who did.
Its boxy style may not have been the sexiest car on the road, but
if you had the Swinger model, it didn't matter because "swinger"
had several meanings back then and none of them were considered
"uncool". This one has all the right ingredients and presents as
one groovy ride you'll want to share with your friends, just as any
good swinger would.
LH23G2B167813
L-Dodge Dart
H-High Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
G-318ci V8 2bbl
2-1972
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
167813-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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