Back to Basics: 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger

09/26/2016
10 min read

Back to Basics: 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger

09/26/2016
10 min read

This Ohio-based 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger has been done for a year and a half and was truly a labor of love. Spotted at the Holley NHRA Hot Rod Reunion at historic Beech Been Raceway Park near Holley headquarters in Bowling Green, KY, it's that rare Mopar build completed by someone who's actually not a dyed-in-the-wool Mopar guy. Just about everything about this beautifully restored machine is stock except the engine, transmission, wheels, and tires. The little Dart now has a 318 powerplant under the hood that began life between the frame rails of a '68 Dodge Charger, and it's backed by the transmission that came out of that same Charger. The 318 is bored .060-over and fitted with a camshaft and a bone-stock manifold from a 340, which also was an option on '70 Darts. The suspension is completely stock, though the car does now have power steering. It also features a new headliner, a new dash pad, and new carpet. The only change to the exterior is the addition of 15-inch wheels. The beautiful lime green paint is the original color that came available on 1970 vintage Dodges, "Sublime Green." Everything else is just as it was 46 years ago when the car rolled off the assembly line. "There are other things that could be done," the owner says, "but you've got to stop spending money sometime."

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