This 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger hardtop was purchased by a friend of the seller in 1998 and subsequently was refurbished with the assistance of the seller during a process that involved installing a 1976-manufactured 400ci V8, which is augmented by “915” cylinder heads, a Mopar Performance Purple camshaft, an Edelbrock intake manifold, a Holley Brawler carburetor, a Summit electric fuel pump, a Melling oil pump, and an aluminum radiator. The car was repainted in Charger Red during the refurbishment and is fitted with a scooped black hood. Other equipment includes a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission, a B&M stall converter, and a Sure Grip differential with 4.10:1 gearing as well as staggered-width Cragar 14″ wheels, front disc brakes, a fuel cell, front bucket seats, a center console, a Sanyo CD stereo, and an Autogage tachometer. The seller purchased the Dodge in 2021. This modified Dart is now offered with spare parts, a car cover, and a Florida title under the seller’s family trust.
The 400ci V8 is said to have originated in a 1976 Chrysler New Yorker and was installed in this car circa 1998. The engine has been hot-tanked and modified with the following components:
- “915” cylinder heads with hardened seats
- Mopar Performance Purple camshaft (P4120235)
- Clevite bearings
- Perfect Circle piston rings
- Edelbrock intake manifold
- Holley Brawler 750-cfm four-barrel carburetor
- Summit electric fuel pump
- Trunk-mounted fuel cell
- Melling oil pump
- Aluminum radiator and overflow tank
- Flowmaster mufflers
The seller notes an oil leak from the engine and another from the rear transmission seal. The car’s chassis number indicates that it was originally powered by a 225ci slant-six.
Previously yellow with a vinyl top, the car was stripped and repainted in Charger Red (R4) around 1998, according to the seller. Black stripes ring the rear of the vehicle, and other exterior features include a driver-side mirror, a concave rear window, rectangular side-marker lights, bright trim, and chrome bumpers. The taillight lenses were replaced in 2010. A spot of rust on the passenger-side rocker panel was sealed around 2016, per the seller.
The aftermarket hood has a wide single scoop and is finished in black. “440 Four Barrel” emblems adorn both sides of the scoop.
Cragar wheels measuring 14×6″ in front and 14×10″ at the rear are mounted with 205/70 Sumic GT70A front tires and N50–14 Mickey Thompson Indy Profile rear rubber. Braking is provided by front discs and rear drums. The front disc brakes were sourced from a 1974 Dart, as were the steering gear, K-frame, and spindles. In 2018, the lower control arms, tubular upper control arms, torsion bars, tie-rod ends, pitman arm, and idler arm were replaced.
The cabin features front bucket seats and a rear bench that were retrimmed in black vinyl during the refurbishment, at which time the headliner also was redone. Appointments include a padded dashboard, a woodgrain-trimmed center console, a Sanyo CD stereo, seatbelts, and black carpeting.
The three-spoke steering wheel fronts a 120-mph speedometer and supplementary gauges. An AutoMeter Autogage tachometer is affixed to the steering column, and gauges for oil pressure and coolant temperature have been added beneath the dashboard. The five-digit odometer shows 92k miles, approximately 4,500 of which were added under current ownership. The seller notes that the turn-signal dash lights do not work but states that the four-way flashers’ dash lights illuminate and so do the exterior signals.
Power is routed to the rear wheels through a TorqueFlite 727 three-speed automatic transmission that is equipped with a B&M Holeshot 3,000-rpm stall converter. The “489 case” 8¾” rear end has a Sure Grip differential, and the gearing was changed to a 4.10:1 setup in 2025 around the time that the rear transmission mount was replaced.
The image above was taken during the refurbishment process.
The photo above shows the Dart with a red factory hood installed. This hood and other spare parts including doors, rear-end gears, and an intake manifold will accompany the vehicle.
The Florida title notes “Exempt” in the Odometer Status box.