What's it worth?... '74 Dart

['67Satellite]

Wasn't sure the best forum to post this in, so i'm going to do it here. And i'm still not sure if i want to pick this thing up, so why need an FABO account.

Anyway, saw this in the Lemon Lot on base here today. It's a '74 Dart coupe with a 225, a 4 speed, and and 8.25 rear. It's got an all original interior, that looks really good. And it's wearing the original color (a little fade in the clear), though there's some filler showing on the deck lid and on the cowl. Other than the minor body stuff its completely rust free. I haven't driven it, nor have i looked in the engine bay. But all signs point to it being in terrific shape. What do you think it's worth guys?

 

[RustyRatRod]

That's probably a factory 4 speed OD transmission car. Bet it's good on gas. I'd say if the rest of it looks as good as the pictures, probably in the 3K range.

 

[Ron 73]

Id say around 2500-3500 maybe.. Sounds like its in real good shape and with the 225 engine i imagine you could have a lot of gas money left over driving it.. Original interior in great shape a added plus, all around nice car, with good looking rims..

 

[71ChallengerSE]

Looks very clean! The mirrors are not correct and if its an early 74 then the bumper is right, looks like a 73 bumper to me without the shock absorbers. The rear does look right for a 74. Check for aluminum hood or trunk structure. If its a factor /6 and a 4 speed it could be a 'Dart Lite' (like feather duster) and therefore really good on gas. All the trim looks good and the parking lights are always cracked bad and those look good. Its a very nice Dart Sport! I would say max for that car would be $4500 if it looks as nice inside and underhood. Being a 74 also means it should have the large ball joing upper control arms with the big bolt patter discs!

 

[71ChallengerSE]

Also Electronic Ignition! (yay)
and starter interlock (boo)

 

[71ChallengerSE]

Also look for the pass-through fold down seat, that would be a huge plus.

 

['67Satellite]

It does have the pass through fold down rear seat. i was thinking it would be about a 3500 dollar car. Maybe more if it runs and drive without to many noises. I think i might go take it for a test drive this weekend. I really want something i can drive everyday to work, and do it in classic mopar style. thanks for the input guys, and i'll bring a magnet to check for aluminum!

 

[MoparMikey]

Have to agree, $3000-$4000

 

[Ron 73]

Wanting to drive one every day and in classic Mopar style, You would be hard pressed to find one better for gas mileage, and the 225 is one of the best long life engines! all depends on the price they want i know but sounds like a winner for what you want. Good luck, hope it works out good..

 

[71ChallengerSE]

That is a great one for everyday driving, discs and electronic ignition. You can even hot rod the slant six like I did to my dart with a 2bbl from a volare/aspen and headers. It'll have more power and better gas mileage.

 

[71ChallengerSE]

Dart Lite
In response to increased interest in fuel economy, Dodge offered the "Dart Lite" fuel economy package which weighed at least 150 lb (68 kg) less than the ordinary Dart Sport. The 225 Slant Six was the only available engine, equipped with an aluminum intake manifold for the first time since 1960 and a specially calibrated carburetor and distributor. Bumper reinforcement brackets were aluminum instead of steel, while the hood and trunk lid bracing and inner panels were also aluminum. The Slant Six engine block had already been modified for reduced weight in 1975; in the middle of 1976 production its crankshaft was changed from forged steel to lighter cast iron. The high-flow exhaust system included a dual-biscuit catalytic converter, a 2¼" headpipe, and the muffler used on V8 models. The Dart Lite was equipped with a 2.94:1 rear axle rather than the customary 3.21:1 ratio when the car was ordered with a three- or four-speed manual transmission. The A833OD overdrive 4-speed manual transmission housing was made of aluminum. Like all other Darts, the Dart Lites with automatic transmission came with a 2.76:1 rear axle as standard equipment. The Dart Lite with manual transmission was rated by the EPA at 36 mpg (6.5 l/100km) in highway driving. The Plymouth version was the Feather Duster

 

[dangina]

cool car! 36mpg? really?!

 

[dodgepaul]

cool car! 36mpg? really?!

No kidding??? 36 mpg??? Maybe I wanna buy it does it have air?? nice clean car for sure that deserves a good home

 

[YY1]

Cowl rust is my main concern on tis car.

Check it out real good.

Other than that ...SWEET!

 

[71ChallengerSE]

Yeah check the cowl, I have picked up tons of A-bodies and none of them have ever had any cowl rust, but the last two Dusters I picked up had this problem.

 

[terzmo]

2500 to 3000....4k is too much

 

[71ChallengerSE]

2500 to 3000....4k is too much

Not here its not, that car would be 5 or 6K here.

 

[71ChallengerSE]

The A-Body 4-Speed stuff is worth 3K and the 8 1/4 A-body rear is worth $200. If it has discs like it should then those are worth $300 with the correct control arms.
Thats $3500 in parts right there.

 

['67Satellite]

Well it's an all matching numbers original car. There's no aluminum parts, however. So it's not a "lite", but it does have the original overdriven 4 speed. He says it's got 84xxx miles on it, and from the look of the interior and everything else, i believe it. So i'm going to test drive it this weekend and see what it's all about. Oh, and one last thing, he said when he fills up, he averages 25-28 mpg. So i don't think that "36 mpg" EPA estimate was too far off at all, even without the aluminum.

 

[Ron 73]

Thats still not bad for gas mileage. Numbers matching original car will be a value plus, Good luck it sounds like a great DD.