Mopar looks for not a lot of moolah.
There are plenty of affordable classics out there, but not many are going to be a pre-Oil Crisis Mopar. A welcomed exception to that trend is this 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger offering vintage Mopar style at a budget-friendly price. Lacking a big rumbling V8 or a flashy high-impact paint color, someone managed to buy this Dart for just $10,000 at the recent GAA Classic Cars auction event in Greensboro, North Carolina.
For buyers who want a cool-looking classic but can do without the high-powered muscle, cars like this Dart Swinger are a great buy. Under the hood, this Dart uses Chrysler's 225 CID slant-six engine putting out 145 horsepower, which is a far cry from the 230- and 275-hp ratings of the V8-powered Darts that year. Since this car won't be pressed for drag-racing action, the three-speed automatic makes this ideal for cruising.
Although the engine choice is what saved this buyer big bucks, this 1971 Dodge Dart will gain plenty of attention when parked at car shows or cruising down the street. The body of is all original and rust free, and with the exception of a repaint on the passenger door, this Dart Gold paint job is all original. The body looks straight and smooth, while the chrome and vinyl appear to be flawless.
Inside, the Ember Gold interior looks just as clean and original as the outside, and it is equipped with the wood-grain, rim-blow steering wheel. The only real modifications made to this car include all-LED lighting – including converted LED headlights – and a modern stereo with Bluetooth and streaming music capabilities and 8x9-inch Kicker speakers in the rear deck.
Cars like this 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger are proof that you can buy a high-quality classic without breaking the bank. This modestly priced Mopar was part of GAA Classic Car's 600+ car auction event, and stay tuned as GAA will have three events in 2020 (February 27-29, July 23-25 and November 5-7).
