Bare metal respray and complete rebuild using all original body panels with no welding or bodywork required as factory panels were in excellent shape being from a dry state
Stunning throughout
The Appeal
In many respects, the Dodge Dart is the forgotten muscle car. Living in the shadow of the mighty Charger and big V8-powered machines from General Motors and Ford, the smaller Dodge was a more affordable entry into the muscle car scene, powered by either a small block MOPAR V8 or Chrysler’s own 225Ci slant-six, which is what you’ll find under the bonnet of this example.
The ‘Swinger Special’ name may have amusing connotations today, but back in the day the name meant it was a limited series version of the Dart Swinger, which was the performance model in the line-up, with a distinctive white band around its rear end.
This one is a 1973 car, bought from its original US owner by a British collector in 2019 and restored from the ground-up, using new or reproduction parts, and painted to an exceptional standard, helped – no doubt – by the fact that the owner is a car painter by trade.
Now finished, he’s moved onto a Charger and the Dart is offered for sale by its second UK owner, offered in show-standard collectors’ condition. It’s an absolute stunner.
The History and Paperwork
UK V5C
Tax and MOT exempt
Registration papers and NOVA completed
2019 Mopar National top 5 winner awarded with Judges Choice award
No other paperwork but car has had a ground-up restoration and bare metal respray
The Interior
Six-seater with double bench seat
Immaculate green vinyl and pinstripe cloth
Original MOPAR radio and concealed modern stereo
Genuine ‘Swinger’ floor mats
The quality of this restoration is never more evident than inside the cabin, which is absolutely stunning with no noticeable faults at all – not even any lifting or cracking on the often sun-damaged dash.
The seats, trimmed in green vinyl with green and grey pinstripe cloth inserts, are superbly presented with no damage, having been professionally retrimmed, while the carpets and door cards are equally superb.
It comes with a set of genuine MOPAR ‘Swinger’ floormats, the headlining is spotless and the dome light works perfectly, while in the boot you’ll find a spotless spare wheel and all the original tools, the quality of the paint finish in the trunk as good as it is on top. That’s the level of detail you’ll find on this car…
The Exterior
Light Metallic Green
Fully restored
Superb chrome and trim
Steel sports wheels with correct hub caps
All original body panels which required zero welding
The first thing that grabs you about this car is the colour, which is more adventurous than its ‘Light Metallic Green’ name suggests. It’s a bold hue, set-off boldly by its white rear graphics, which are 100 per cent correct to the original.
There’s no corrosion or damage to be seen anywhere – it’s a show quality restoration on top and underneath and has covered only a few miles since its restoration work was completed in late 2021. Detail is everything, and this car oozes it – it’s an absolute stunner.
The Mechanics
225ci 3.7-litre slant-six
Column-change three-speed ‘Torqueflite’ auto
Runs and drives brilliantly
Sports exhaust system
As with the rest of this wonderful old car, the under-bonnet presentation is superb, the Chrysler slant-six painted in the correct shade of blue and refurbished as part of the car’s extensive restoration. The detail is there, too, with the correct underbonnet decals and labels all properly applied as per the factory.
We were able to conduct a short test drive of the car and it performed really well, with a lively rasp courtesy of its hand-made exhaust system and smooth gearchanges from its three-speed column-shift auto. It’s huge fun, and surprisingly easy to place on the road by virtue of it being smaller than most American cars of its era.
Summary
If you wanted to bring an unrestored car up to this standard, you’d need a lot of money and patience to get it there, but the previous owner of this example did all that work for you.
As a car bodywork specialist himself, he didn’t have the huge labour costs you’d need to get a finish as immaculate or as well detailed as this one. It’s absolutely incredible – a great-looking car in impeccable order, the quality of which is impossible to describe.
It may be called a Swinger, but here’s a set of car keys that you certainly won’t want to throw into a fruit bowl…
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1973 Dodge Dart Swinger Special
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