Beaker cars

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Princess Valiant

A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
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So I was talking to a guy regarding 73 and newer dodge darts and dart sports, and he was passionately expressing his opinion as to how ugly they are.

This is not the first time I have heard this.

Why do people act like these cars have leprosy or something??

I like them and I would think that if they are so despicable then no one would have bought them new but yet it seems they were pretty hot sellers in the 70 and 80s, so what am I missing here?
 
Its no longer the 70s or 80s would be my guess. Like old jokes that are dated.
And some music.
 
I have never cared for them......but I must admit, within the past few years, they have slowly grown on me. I REALLY like Dick Landy's Dart Sport Pro Stock car. That's proof that they can look badass.

LANDY DART SPORT.jpg
 
My only issue isn't with the beak but with the 3 ton safety bumpers that came with them.
 
may be because of your age perspective. i've always hated the beak cars, but i was here when they were new. and considered them a major loss in style.
 
My only issue isn't with the beak but with the 3 ton safety bumpers that came with them.
And the plastic grills, plastic interior trim, cardboard headliners, smog equipment.

That being said one of my favorite a bodies that I owned and built was a 75 408 4 speed.

FB_IMG_1474308749649.jpg
 
I didn't like the beak Darts or the '73+ Dusters years ago. Seems like as I get older, I appreciate a lot of the cars that I didn't before. Even the Fords...:wtf: I actually wouldn't mind owning a Dart Sport.
 
I actually like the looks of the ''beak'' cars better.
And as a matter of fact, it's not hard to remove the extra bumper supports in them if that's the main concern...........
FWIW, the '67-'69 Barracudas were the first ''beak'' cars.
A ''73-'76 Dart Sport hood has exactly the same contours as a '69 Barracuda hood.
 
Beaks are for Pontiacs, Camaros, Edsels,Cougars,Cyclones, and Studes. And they are all just as fugly.
Had I known or even had the thought crossed my mind,I would have put non-beak clips on every one of my three beakers,lol, two of which were bought because the price was right to a starving young man. At that time, I didn't yet hate the beaks.The third I knew better. And so I dutifully backed it into the driveway so I wouldn't have to look at that ugly beak in the morning.
Dusters with the powrbulge hoods in my book, don't count as beakers, it's subtle enough
I had a very nice 69 Formula-S Barracuda (still do) that I could have resto-modded for less money than the 68 I chose instead,but I just couldn't get past the beak.
 
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beaks, big bumpers, raised marker lights, no vent windows... YUK!

just not as good looking to me.. but hey not my money either so if you like them thats all that matters...
 
I’m not in love with the extended nose of the cars. There not horrible IMO but also not really a pretty feature. I could live with one but would rather not.

Ya wanna talk beak? How about a boat tail Riviera?
 
So I was talking to a guy regarding 73 and newer dodge darts and dart sports, and he was passionately expressing his opinion as to how ugly they are.

This is not the first time I have heard this.

Why do people act like these cars have leprosy or something??

I like them and I would think that if they are so despicable then no one would have bought them new but yet it seems they were pretty hot sellers in the 70 and 80s, so what am I missing here?

Well, with comments like "nice car" yelled at me three or four times a day I don't think there is a lot of hate there.
Mainly it seems to be just Mopar owners that have a pre 73 that ***** about the beak.
 
You’re not missing anything.
People like what they like.
I’d love a “convertriple” and a 360 4 speed beaker myself.
 
Well, with comments like "nice car" yelled at me three or four times a day I don't think there is a lot of hate there.
Mainly it seems to be just Mopar owners that have a pre 73 that ***** about the beak.
try posting up a 73 or 74 charger over at FBBO , or better yet a 77 charger SE, you might as well ban yourself
 
And the plastic grills, plastic interior trim, cardboard headliners, smog equipment.

I agree. Hate the interior plastic, and cardboard headliner, I usually do not even install a headliner in any car anymore! Period, just shoot Body Schultz (undercoating) on it!! But the 70-1 had plastic grills too! I have no issue personally, with the looks of the car front or back. I dislike the safety bumpers, but hey, they are great if you bump something at 5 mph! I had a 74 dart sport 318 car I drove 65 miles one way every day to a job for six months back bout '98. Loved driving that car. I could not see its beak from the drivers seat anyway!
Problem so many people just have a problem with any car made after 71 or maybe 2.... OK so the hp rating went from gross to net, and as time marched on in the 70;s, yes, less hp and smog stuff started showing up. The exception to this is the F>M>J>R guys. They love their 70's and 80's cars, and a truly rabid enthusiasist bunch.
Yes RRR, that McCandless Duster's paint is COOL! cool car too for sure!
 
Well, with comments like "nice car" yelled at me three or four times a day I don't think there is a lot of hate there.

well, if i were driving a camry, that beaker would look pretty good
but viewed in the rear view mirror of my 71 duster...not so much

stir.gif
 
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