Dart discovery too tempting to pass on

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/10/2019 (2496 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

By the end of the 1960s, muscle cars came in just about every segment of the market. Full-size, mid-size and compact offerings were available with several performance options. By 1972, most of that had drawn to a close as stiffer standards on emissions, fuel economy and insurance costs meant the fire-breathing V-8s were on the way out.

Engine compression ratios were reduced to lower emissions and the result was what used to be a 375-horsepower engine was now rated at only 280 net horsepower.

For 1973, Dodge expanded the compact Dart line. Along with the formal hardtop Dart Swinger, Dodge rebranded the previous Dodge Demon as the new Dodge Dart Sport Coupe.

Staying with the basic Demon styling, the front fascia and rear deck panel received upgrades to the grille, hood and tail lamps, as well as mandated 5 m.p.h. bumpers.

While the triangular rubber blocks looked a little out of place, they did the job and were a cost-effective choice.

A bit tamer and subdued with the Demon name absent, it was still the same popular compact young buyers had come to want in a new car.

Riding on a 108-inch wheelbase, the Dart Coupe was a full six-passenger car, with adequate trunk space for a small family.

Choosing more economical powertrains became the norm at the time, but many felt there was no need for their cars to look dull and boring and the manufacturers offered several dress-up tape-stripe options and interior upgrades.

For Jack Hare of Libau, it was a real surprise to spot this 1973 Dodge Dart Sport at an auction in Sperling in 2015.

Looking every inch a clean, sporty coupe with only 60,000 original miles on the odometer, it was like peeking at a time capsule.

“It still had the original two-ply whitewall tires on the front of it,” Hare says.

Finished in Light Blue with the optional $29 black body side stripes, $52 hood scoop and $32 floor shift, it screamed performance car.

One look under the hood and you knew it was a rarity — powering the coupe was the 225-cubic-inch slant six-cylinder engine. Optional over the 95 horsepower, 198-cubic-inch six, the 225 produced 105 horsepower at 4,000 r.p.m. and has long been referred to as the “leaning tower of power” in the Dodge camp.

Backing the big six is a three-speed manual transmission.

Inside, there’s ’70s-era black-vinyl with black-and-white-checkered fabric inserts on the bench-seat upholstery, as well as faux wood-grain dash appliqués.

Clean and in great condition without any repairs or restoration needed, it couples well with the pristine, rust-free body.

A simple cut and polishing along with some detailing and this Dart would look like it just rolled out of the showroom.

Digging deeper, we learned the Dart was purchased new at Garden City Chrysler in Morden. Other options on the original bill of sale include an AM radio at $85 and a forced-air heater for $15.

Total purchase price for this new compact car was a very reasonable $3,197.25.

There were 17,480 Dart Sport coupes produced in 1973, significantly fewer than the 107,619 Swinger hardtops produced.

“I haven’t driven it much other than a couple of car shows, but it did attract a good deal of attention at the South Beach Casino shows,” Hare says. Understandably — today, it’s a rarity. But what do enthusiasts see in the future for a vehicle like this? Would it be a leave-it-as-is, or convert the K-Frame to accommodate mounting a performance V-8 and four-speed manual transmission?

It’s a tough call and there are pros and cons for either choice.

For Hare, he’s been the caretaker of this car, trying to maintain it and not change anything.

“I have appreciated it for what it is, but with owning several classic cars, there comes a time when I’ll start thinking about paring down the collection and I’ll leave the choices on the Dart to a future owner.”

57ford@mymts.net