1973 Dodge Dart

Description

Timing is everything, and this powerful example of American muscle was introduced at a difficult time. It was right at the start of the 1973 Arab oil embargo. But that makes it a pretty special car, because it was among the last of the hot cars built before they started detuning engines for better gas mileage. Check it out. Maybe the timing is right for you to own this car today.

There is no mistaking the intentions of this car. It looks fast even when it's sitting still. You can't miss the orange paint, even from a distance. As you get closer, you notice the black double hood scoop trying to grab all the air it can get to feed the beast beneath it. A nice chrome bumper leads the way with a black grill flanked by a single headlight on each side. There are Dart 340 Sport badges on the side of the fenders and blinker indicators on the top to let the driver know if they left them flashing after they pull out to pass someone. A unique black stripe runs along the top of the fender and doors, then up over the roof. A black rear wing sits up nicely in the airflow on the trunk to provide some downforce. The back of the car is dressed out nicely with a Hurst emblem on the trunk and a multiple black stripe treatment just above the rear bumper.

Open the door and you will find that for all its bravado on the outside, the inside is somewhat subdued and classy in black with wood trim. A split bench seat is comfortable with cloth seating surfaces and vinyl edges. A three spoke steering wheel sits in front of a wood dash panel with the gauges and controls in it. Below the dash are auxiliary gauges to help keep track of critical engine functions and a not so subdued Autogage adjustable tach with shift light and tell-tale indicator. Mounted in the floor is a Hurst T-handle shifter to be used in conjunction with the throttle in your efforts to keep that tach needle within bounds on a run. There is also a nicely pleated back seat so your friends can join you on cruise night, and a large trunk that can carry everything you could want on a trip to the beach or mountains.

Pop the hood and you will find an engine compartment that is as nicely dressed out as the rest of the car. It is neat and clean with orange inner fender wells and a firewall that shine as bright as the outer fenders. That hood scoop feeds air to a chrome air filter which proudly announces the 340-cubic inch powerhouse fed by a 4-barrel carb. An Edelbrock carb handles the mixing duties in this case. The rest of the system, intake, heads, and exhaust, are stock. Power flows back through a 4 speed trans to a solid axle on leaf springs which puts the power on the ground through 255/60R15 tires mounted on Centerline wheels. Up front, disc bakes provide the whoa power to counter the go power and haul the car back down from speed and 165/80R15s, also on Centerlines, are where the rubber meets the road.

Come on down and check this car out. It might be the right time to take it home and park it in your garage.