How to Know a REAL H Code 70 Swinger 340 Dart

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340man

340man

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I am would like to know to tell a Real H code 70 Swinger 340 dart from a clone 340 car. My car has the dash vin tag, fender tag, door tag, Broadcast sheet, washer on k frame, 2 duel exhaust hangers, dart swinger emblem on trunk, hood scoops, numbers motor, rear-end etc....( can not find on Trunk lip or radiator support)...
Does anyone have any other areas where the body numbers would be? Or any other areas that make a H code car? Thanks for your help..
 
What year? OldManMopar posted something awhile back I think he was saying 71? Some were made with no body numbers.......
 
Very few had no body numbers, it was mandatory by 1969. Core support drivers side and trunk lip drivers side under the weatherstrip would have the VIN numbers. You usually have to scrape paint off and most owners won't let that happen.
 
1970 Dart Swinger built in Windsor Canada LM23HOR, had the vin stamped on the top rear of the passenger inner fender under the fender mounting. Also on the passenger rear trunk lip under the trunk seal.
 
3404speed said:
1970 Dart Swinger built in Windsor Canada LM23HOR, had the vin stamped on the top rear of the passenger inner fender under the fender mounting. Also on the passenger rear trunk lip under the trunk seal.
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This is correct.
 
340man said:
I am would like to know to tell a Real H code 70 Swinger 340 dart from a clone 340 car. My car has the dash vin tag, fender tag, door tag, Broadcast sheet, washer on k frame, 2 duel exhaust hangers, dart swinger emblem on trunk, hood scoops, numbers motor, rear-end etc....( can not find on Trunk lip or radiator support)...
Does anyone have any other areas where the body numbers would be? Or any other areas that make a H code car? Thanks for your help..
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There are a few rebodies that I am aware of, what color is this car?
 
340man said:
I am would like to know to tell a Real H code 70 Swinger 340 dart from a clone 340 car. My car has the dash vin tag, fender tag, door tag, Broadcast sheet, washer on k frame, 2 duel exhaust hangers, dart swinger emblem on trunk, hood scoops, numbers motor, rear-end etc....( can not find on Trunk lip or radiator support)...
Does anyone have any other areas where the body numbers would be? Or any other areas that make a H code car? Thanks for your help..
Click to expand...

Depending on the year and bodystyle the trunk gutter number may be on the package tray. It's usually on the driver's side near the rear speaker hole. I forget exactly which cars and year had the number on the package tray vs the trunk lip, but if you don't see anything on the trunk lip check the package tray.


HemiSSDart said:
Very few had no body numbers, it was mandatory by 1969. Core support drivers side and trunk lip drivers side under the weatherstrip would have the VIN numbers. You usually have to scrape paint off and most owners won't let that happen.
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Just look at the back side, no need to scrape paint. Doesn't work on the core support, but it works great on the package tray or rear trunk gutter.

Nowadays you don't even have to crawl in there, just stick your phone under, take a picture, and use the photo editing software right on the phone to reverse the image so you can read it.
 
The car is Red with black interior with a white stripe and is a 1970 Dart Swinger built in Windsor Canada LM23HOR...
 
Does it have torque boxes ?
If so are they really new looking or have a few dents or mars like original ones would ?
 
mbaird said:
Does it have torque boxes ?
If so are they really new looking or have a few dents or mars like original ones would ?
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It is a auto car and I was told all four speed cars have torque boxes but not all auto do..
 
That is true but if it did have them it would be another clue.

BTW....I had a 73 340 4sp that had no boxes.
 
mbaird said:
That is true but if it did have them it would be another clue.

BTW....I had a 73 340 4sp that had no boxes.
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Thanks for the info about torque boxes...info is hard to find on these car because things are not all the same on them..
 
mbaird said:
Does it have torque boxes ?
If so are they really new looking or have a few dents or mars like original ones would ?
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Don’t use torque boxes as a measure that it is or is not an H code Dart. You could actually find torque boxes on 318 and /6 cars
 
Can the seller supply photos of the teardown/ bodywork/ buildup? This is often a very good progress indicator that would "hide" a rebody
 
Take out the back seat and look at the inner exhaust hanger bracket that has the studs for the outer. It should have a Phillips screw holding it on. They would hold this on while assembled with a screw so the outer bracket could be installed later without the inner falling in.

Most guys forget the screw on clones. The screw can also be seen behind the outer if you look from the bottom up. I have seen the screw gone but the hole was there where it was before a resto was done. If the hole is there that means the screw was there at one time.

Not all 4 spd cars had torque boxes. and not all cars had numbers in place. Remember every original panel has a Part number on it. These are not vin numbers. Replacement bodies on the assembly line did not have numbers.

Documenting a real car is easier than than proving its a clone if the numbers are not there. Real cars sometimes don't have numbers. But clones usually have the wrong numbers.

I would sooner have a mint rust free clone done correctly. Than a butchered and Bondo buggy rusty real car where all the panels were replaced with who knows what. Look for the original spot welds they usually tell the history. Nothing better than a original rust free foundation on a rebuild.
 
this car is missing the screw. and there is no hole in the sheet metal under the bracket. it is clearly evident . It was a clone

DSCN0260.JPG
 
^^I keep telling you, Steve, you should write a book!!^^
 
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