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(Music)
A car that embodied the '60s in both name and spirit was the '69 Dart Swinger. The Dodge boys tempted cash strapped buyers with this mini muscle car that churned out 6,000 r-p-m for under $3,000. For that price tag you could get anything from a straight six up to a 383 Magnum.
(Joel)>> But the real muscle came in their iconic 340 package. $2,800 bucks got you all the standard muscle car goodies like heavy duty suspension, firm ride shocks, and dual chrome tipped exhaust, and you also got a four speed Hurst shifter pulling a set of 3.23 gears giving you full control when you swung into action. Power bulges on the hood let you know that this Dodge was rocking a potent 340 small block V-8. It pushed over 275 horses at 5,000 r-p-m. Now that was less than 383, but it made up for it by being 90 pounds lighter, making this small car perfectly balanced.
(Tommy)>> Bumblebee stripes tagged it as a junior member of Dodge's elite Scat Pack, which included the SuperBee and the Charger. It could run with the big boys knocking out the quarter mile time in the mid-14's and went zero to 60 in six seconds. The Swinger 340 only came as a two door coupe and had slick options like this black vinyl top roof and exclusive bright red paint. The body style was the same as the '68 Dart with minor changes to the grille and taillights.
(Joel)>> On the inside the car was all business. Bench seats came standard, leaving plenty of room to haul you and all your friends. By today's standards it's nowhere near a compact. It's only one inch shorter than a Dodge Magnum.
(Tommy)>> Darts also came in a GTS package that was virtually identical to the Swinger except it had a 440 option, more bling, and a higher price tag.
(Joel)>> It's main rival was the Chevy Nova SS, which would run you about $300 dollars more for the same amount of performance. Of all the muscle cars that year this one was by far the best bang for your buck.
(Tommy)>> The Dart ran you about $10 dollars per horsepower. With its smaller size it flew under the insurance company's muscle car radar saving you even more green. [ Music ]
(Joel)>> The car was a hit in its first year with over 16,000 sold, and Dodge continued swinging well into the '70s.
(Tommy)>> The '69 Swinger 340 is still a good bargain today for anyone looking to own and drive a classic piece of Detroit Muscle.
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A car that embodied the '60s in both name and spirit was the '69 Dart Swinger. The Dodge boys tempted cash strapped buyers with this mini muscle car that churned out 6,000 r-p-m for under $3,000. For that price tag you could get anything from a straight six up to a 383 Magnum.
(Joel)>> But the real muscle came in their iconic 340 package. $2,800 bucks got you all the standard muscle car goodies like heavy duty suspension, firm ride shocks, and dual chrome tipped exhaust, and you also got a four speed Hurst shifter pulling a set of 3.23 gears giving you full control when you swung into action. Power bulges on the hood let you know that this Dodge was rocking a potent 340 small block V-8. It pushed over 275 horses at 5,000 r-p-m. Now that was less than 383, but it made up for it by being 90 pounds lighter, making this small car perfectly balanced.
(Tommy)>> Bumblebee stripes tagged it as a junior member of Dodge's elite Scat Pack, which included the SuperBee and the Charger. It could run with the big boys knocking out the quarter mile time in the mid-14's and went zero to 60 in six seconds. The Swinger 340 only came as a two door coupe and had slick options like this black vinyl top roof and exclusive bright red paint. The body style was the same as the '68 Dart with minor changes to the grille and taillights.
(Joel)>> On the inside the car was all business. Bench seats came standard, leaving plenty of room to haul you and all your friends. By today's standards it's nowhere near a compact. It's only one inch shorter than a Dodge Magnum.
(Tommy)>> Darts also came in a GTS package that was virtually identical to the Swinger except it had a 440 option, more bling, and a higher price tag.
(Joel)>> It's main rival was the Chevy Nova SS, which would run you about $300 dollars more for the same amount of performance. Of all the muscle cars that year this one was by far the best bang for your buck.
(Tommy)>> The Dart ran you about $10 dollars per horsepower. With its smaller size it flew under the insurance company's muscle car radar saving you even more green. [ Music ]
(Joel)>> The car was a hit in its first year with over 16,000 sold, and Dodge continued swinging well into the '70s.
(Tommy)>> The '69 Swinger 340 is still a good bargain today for anyone looking to own and drive a classic piece of Detroit Muscle.
