Make or Buy: 1972 Dodge Dart Project vs 1968 Dodge Dart Turnkey

There is an old saying in the business world; there are two ways to develop a new product--make it, or buy it...but that rule also applies to classic cars.  This choice is often financially motivated, but as often it is personality based.  Therefore we are happy to present these two cars and ask which you would buy; intro and words from tipper Erik202.  I didn't grow up loving mopars or anything and I'm not sure I want to fully immerse myself in the "Dodge Guy" culture but I think having one of these Darts would be cool, just not sure which one, the project ($3580 USD) or the "turn key" version ($11,400 USD).  Find this 1968 Dodge Dart offered for $16,000 CAD ($11,400 USD) located in Sherwood Park, AB, Canada via kijiji.net.

440CI Big Block: 1964 Dodge Dart

The Dart name first appeared as a Chrysler concept built by Carrozzeria Ghia in the late '50s, but it wasn't until 1960 that a production version was released as an inexpensive (no Ghia body) full sized Dodge.  Fast forward a few years and the Dart was put on a diet to mid-sized, but the anorexia continued until 1963 when it was a compact to compete with Chevy's Corvair, Ford's Falcon, and Studebaker's Lark. Find this 1964 Dodge Dart offered for $7,200 in Albuquerque, NM via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Yellow Pages: 1960 Goggomobil Dart

Microcars were hugely popular in post-war Europe where petrol was at a high premium and no one needed to travel very far. Most of the microcars were made in Britain, France, or Germany and were usually basic little blobs – like the Isetta or the Zündapp Janus. One plucky Australian designer decided to take a German Goggomobil microcar and turn it into an adorable fibreglass convertible. He sold 700 of the cars between ’59 and ’61. However, the cars truly entered the national psyche through their association with an advertisement for the Yellow Pages. Find this 1960 Goggomobil Dart in Birba Lake, WA, Australia, for $7k AUD ($5,370 USD at the time of writing) via autotrader.com.au.

Bicentennial Beauty: 1976 Dodge Dart

Like 70's trucks, Volvo 240's, and W123's, the Dart/Valiant still possess a ton of utility. Therefore, there are still heaps of them around actually providing transportation to people. Though they are of the most usable of classics, they often aren't seen as scarce and temperamental enough to be desirable.  Find this 1976 Dodge Dart for sale in Charleston, SC for $3,500 via craigslist.

Hollywood Swinger- 1974 Dodge Dart Swinger

The Dodge Dart was one of the most durable cars of the 1970’s. The inline slant 6 engine garnered a reputation for being nearly un-killable. Most cars back them didn't even have a six digit odometers. The slant six was offered in almost every car and truck in the Mopar line up. The third generation Dart was produced from 1967 to 1976. We have a unmolested survivor with a claimed 45,000 miles for sale in Meriden, CT 1974 Dodge Dart Swinger for $6500.

Sensible Shoes: 1964 Dodge Dart GT

by The Professor-- Today’s cherry pick comes from the lush green hills of Bristol TN, or it could be Bristol VA., depending on which side of State Street this thing is parked on. No matter, if you are looking for an example of basic 60’s American automotive conservatism, this one would be hard to ignore. This very presentable, drivers quality 1964 Dodge Dart GT offered for $7,500 via craigslist still wears the same fabrics and color that it left the factory with. Sensible shoes indeed.

Restomod Hardtop:1965 Dodge Dart

The Dart name first appeared as a Chrysler concept built by Carrozzeria Ghia in the late '50s, but the production version was released on 1960 as an inexpensive full sized Dodge.  A few years later the Dart was put on a diet and then mid-sized, but the anorexia continued until 1963 when it was a compact to compete with Chevy's Corvair, Ford's Falcon, and Studebaker's Lark. This next Dart started out as a simple 2-door driver but has been owned by the same owner since 1979 and is quite a screamer today. Find this 1965 Dodge Dart Restomod offered for $16,000 in Kingman, AZ via Craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

15k: Trans Am Style Restorod: 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger

Few things get the octane in my blood pumping quicker than a vintage racer themed American 2-door from the 1960s.  True vintage racers tend to be expensive and not street-able, but slap together a decent restomod with a few stickers and I'll bite.  The car doesn't even need to be a model that was campaigned back it the day, it just needs to look the part.  Like this 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger restomod found here on eBay currently bidding for $15,000 with a few hours to go, located in Laguna Hills, CA.

D is for Doric: 1965 Dodge Dart 273 convertible

D is for dee little things that make a car awesome.  The chrome, horizontal lines of the second-generation Dart wear like a pinstriped suit, compared to the 1967+ cut-off AC/DC shirt worn by a guy who steals your girlfriend's corn dog at the state fair. This Dart has the benefit of the 273 V8, empowering you to confidently tell Mr. AC/DC Shirt where he can stick that corn dog.  Find 1965 Dodge Dart convertible in Denver, CO for $12,000 via craigslist.

Mid Week Match-Up: Summer Fun For Less Than $20k

It is Wednesday so that means it's time for another edition of Daily Turismo's game of spin the bottlejack-- also known as Mid Week Match-Up!  Last week, we asked readers to find us GI Joe's ride and received lots of great suggestions (particularly this awesome Dodge Military 6x6 thing suggested by Steve).  Today we are going to go another direction and ask our readers to find the best drop-top car for less than $20k.

5k: Upgraded Slant-6: 1972 Dodge Dart Sedan

 The fourth generation Dodge Dart was introduced in 1967 on Chrysler's A-body platform.  Sales of the A-body were phenomenal when Valiant, Dart, Demon, Duster, 3700, Centura, Charger, Valiant Drifter, Valiant Pacer and Scamp sales were all combined, but the Dart accounted for the bulk of the sales and is the easiest to find parts today.  Find this 1972 Dodge Dart Sedan offered for $5,000 in Pasadena, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rod S.

5k: The Dart Board: '68 vs '65 Dodge Dart 4-Door Slant-6

Tipper Oldsmobuick sent us a few good links to classic inline-6 Dodge Dart survivors and instead of picking one to post we figured this would make a great opportunity for our readers to choose.  These aren't going to win any beauty contests or make it past the curators at the Peterson Automotive Museum, but you could comfortably haul your family to the museum on a weekend to look at a few classic Ferrari's while their owners take the bus because their car is stuck in a museum.  See how that works out for everybody?

DTO: Tuned Ram: 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix

In the late 1950s the Plymouth brand was moved to its own dealer network leaving Dodge without a low end full sized sedan the fill its showrooms.  So in 1960 Dodge launched the Dart to fill the product gap and the Plymouth platform based car was an instant sales success. Dodge even created some performance versions such as the Dart Phoenix that moved the price up into Matador and Polara price range further cannibalizing other Chrysler sales.  Find this 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix for sale in Great Bend, KS currently bidding for $25,100 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go.

15k: Jet Fin: 1961 Dodge Dart Pioneer Custom

The intermediate sized Dodge Dart was available from 1960-1961 with a jet fin exterior designed by Virgil Exner, a great American designer who was famous for his Studebaker and Chrysler designs.  The Dart was available in several trims, starting with a basic Seneca, mid-range Pioneer and high end Phoenix.  If you like your Mopars obscure, check out this 1961 Dodge Dart Pioneer with a few custom pieces located in Athens, GA and bidding on ebay at $12,675 with 5 days to go.

10k: Dart To Be Different: 1969 Dodge Dart; Inline-6 Hot Rod

Contemporary ideology constantly barrages us with the instruction to "be different," but in truth, most people follow the crowd and are only comfortable with small deviations from the norm.  A classic American 60s muscle car should be powered by a stock I-6 or V8, but if you want a modified version it has to be the V8.  Why?  Because the stock inline-6s were 1950s era pig-iron lumps with non-crossflow heads, made pitiful power stock and were never sold on the "cool" models.  In a cruel feedback-loop the aftermarket parts shops never bother to tool up performance parts for the i-6s further relegating them to granny cars or the scrap heap.  However, you can break out of the muscle car mold with this clean custom 1969 Dodge Dart with a hopped up inline-6 for $12,000 via craigslist.

5k: Surprisingly Cheap Survivor: 1966 Dodge Dart Wagon

Last week someone in Sweden picked up Betsy's Pony for a bargain price of $8700.  We at the DT headquarters really thought the 1966 Mustang would have commanded a much higher premium given its life story...but we are big fans of affordable motoring and the sale price was certainly affordable.  Regardless, if you missed the boat (literally) on that one, here is another un-restored, one-family owned classic being sold for a very fair price.  Find this 1966 Dodge Dart Wagon in Berkeley, CA on craigslist for the asking price of $2900.  Thanks for tip from DT regular and SF bay area California Czar of Cool Cars...Kaibeezy T!

5k: 1972 Dodge Dart Low Miles Slant-6

The early 1970s Dodge Dart was small unibody sedan built on the third generation A-body platform.  Sales of the A-body were phenomenal when Valiant, Dart, Demon, Duster, 3700, Centura, Charger, Valiant Drifter, Valiant Pacer and Scamp sales were all combined.  This 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger hardtop, for sale in Westland, MI is currently bidding for $5,500 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go (buy-it-now for $8k).