Mopars Of The Month - September, 2003

1972 Dodge Dart Swinger

By Tom Hanna

  I own a 1972 Dart Swinger and it is my driver. I'm 17 and my dad and I are working on it as a little project. It has the usual quarter rust on both sides, but it is very very minor. The underbody/frame is perfect. I just found out tonight after reading the casting date on the block, that somebody put in a 1974 model year 318...even though it is supposed to be a '72 318. I don't mind, it's not a collector car with any 318. Right now the vinyl top is torn off and we are starting to sand and prime the roof to stop all the rust and put on a new roof. We found just a couple very small (dime size and smaller) holes in the roof after scraping away. No holes around the rear glass or down inside by weather stripping (whew). The body is very very very solid. I am going to be driving it year around but i will keep it very very clean in the winter time and I will try not to drive it anytime salt is down. Maybe try to get some rust proof in the rockers and around major spots before cold. I plan to put in a new cam, timing chain, 4bbl intake and carb. Hopefully by winter/spring time i can have all of that on, and a replacement alum. steel dual 2 1/4" exhaust system with headers in. Right now it has a 1 3/4" true dual exhaust with many patch pieces. The interior is fair, it needs a front seat cover, carpet, and detailing. Headliner, rear seat, and dash pad is excellent. Also car has 72 rally wheels. Its green with a white roof and white stripe (i forget the paint code, F7 or something i think, or is that earlier models?) Anyhow i just typed a whole lot. I cant sleep and im bored so i figured I would come on here.