1973 Dart H Code value

[Ronald C.]

have an opportunity to pickup a 73 H code Dart. Car really is in great shape. Interior is complete, surprisingly no rust in floor pans. Looks like it was regular driver up till mid 90’s.......

Except, it fell victim to a vinyl top crisis and the top is SHOT. Will need full roof replacement. No motor, but transmission is with car, but original? IDK. Other than the car is COMPLETE. Looks like literally pulled motor for rebuild but roof issues halted the cause.

So, one mans junk is another mans treasure, but what is value of an H code with out the original 340? Is it just another sport at this point? Lots of documentation and I like the car. But just want to be fair to myself and the seller.

T

 

[el5dart]

340 4 speed air car. 2k max with the roof gone is my guess. its hard to tell without a picture

 

[HemiSSDart]

Cool car, pictures would help like said above. Good options like AM/FM and A/C, could be worth $500 or $4000...

 

[Dartnut]

Cool car, pictures would help like said above. Good options like AM/FM and A/C, could be worth $500 or $4000...

What he said.
Without detailed pictures, it's hard to give an estimate, even a rough one............
Love the dark green color and 4 speed though!

 

[barbee6043]

Remember these HP cars were mostly used hard, seldom do you find one with the original # engine. Restored a # car (hp examples), the books say worth maybe 20-25% more. As we always say, unless YOU can do most all the work, even on a "desirable" model, you will be in it for more than you will sell it for. 73 H dusters probably worth less than the earlier versions.
Remember for every piece of rst you see, there are usually 5-6 more you don't until...

 

[H22A4]

Interesting to note it’s a Dart built for the export market! Is the speedometer in kmh? Does the seller have any history on the car? Was it ever exported??

The “I” near the left hand side in the 3rd row from the bottom means it was built for the export market (not USA nor Canada).

 

[Ronald C.]

Interesting to note it’s a Dart built for the export market! Is the speedometer in kmh? Does the seller have any history on the car? Was it ever exported??

The “I” near the left hand side in the 3rd row from the bottom means it was built for the export market (not USA nor Canada).

I noticed that in the "Tag Decoder" but didn't give it any thought. Was that not the standard? The owner has the original build sheet as well as several other items. He is not the original owner, but he has the docs. Seller is supposed to be sending me pics today that I will be able to share. Don't think the speedo was in kmh, but honestly, I didn't even think to look.

I thought it was interesting though it has an inside hood release, and while the fold down seat was not uncommon, this one has another panel that folds down back into the trunk. I have seen the seats fold forward, but not the 2nd panel folding back. Also has fender mounted turn signal indicators which are always cool.

 

[H22A4]

The standard was a “U” in that place which is built for USA market. A car with a “C” was for the Canadian market. Car built for all other countries had a “I” and there weren’t boatloads of export built cars (relative to USA and Canada specification cars).

 

[abodyjoe]

Can’t see it being worth too much. They aren’t worth all that much in show condition especially without its matching number parts.

Being a 73 with a roof that needs to be replaced and god knows what other rust hiding due to that roof and not numbers matching is gonna turn a ton of people off.

Unless you get it dirt cheap walk away is my opinion.

 

[barbee6043]

I no doubt could be wrong, BUT I thought all these decades, the export was usually a car ordered by a serviceman, while out if country, but was delivered to him stateside on his return??????
I had a 72 charger that lived its entire life till I got it, in Hawaii, but I figure it means nothing!

 

[Ronald C.]

Can’t see it being worth too much. They aren’t worth all that much in show condition especially without its matching number parts.

Being a 73 with a roof that needs to be replaced and god knows what other rust hiding due to that roof and not numbers matching is gonna turn a ton of people off.

Unless you get it dirt cheap walk away is my opinion.

Once I get some pics up, it may be easier to asses. But, for argument sake, what is dirt cheap? $1k? He bought as part of a package of items so we haven't broke out firm offer, but i'm guessing around a grand.....

 

[H22A4]

It’s a roller since it’s got no engine. Pictures will really help.

There’s a thread on here (yesterday?) with someone else looking at a ‘73 Dart Sport. It’s got an engine and there’s pictures of it. Check that out for reference.

 

[NC Engine Builder]

Dirt cheap is about 500 in my opinion, but it "might" be worth a 1000 or so

 

[Ronald C.]

It’s a roller since it’s got no engine. Pictures will really help.

There’s a thread on here (yesterday?) with someone else looking at a ‘73 Dart Sport. It’s got an engine and there’s pictures of it. Check that out for reference.

Do you recall where the thread was inside of FABO? Would be interested in seeing it for sure.

 

[Ronald C.]

It’s a roller since it’s got no engine. Pictures will really help.

There’s a thread on here (yesterday?) with someone else looking at a ‘73 Dart Sport. It’s got an engine and there’s pictures of it. Check that out for reference.

Blu posted in the above post "And a 340, and a 4 speed, and a performance hood option. Just as a '73 340 car it's more rare than a 1970 Challenger R/T, they made 13,796 of those. Less than 1,500 340 4 speed cars in '73. Sure it's a '73 and will never be worth anything near what a '70 Challenger R/T is worth, but it is a pretty rare combination.

LM29:
Dodge Dart,Demon
Medium
2 Door Sports Hardtop

H3B: 340 240HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL
1973
Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA

549649: Sequence number.

Assuming this accurate, and the Fender Tag on the one I am eying is essentially the same, lower sequence number and a couple different options, sounds like it may be a little on the rare side. Then throw in the "I" code, ?

 

[72bluNblu]

Blu posted in the above post "And a 340, and a 4 speed, and a performance hood option. Just as a '73 340 car it's more rare than a 1970 Challenger R/T, they made 13,796 of those. Less than 1,500 340 4 speed cars in '73. Sure it's a '73 and will never be worth anything near what a '70 Challenger R/T is worth, but it is a pretty rare combination.

LM29:
Dodge Dart,Demon
Medium
2 Door Sports Hardtop

H3B: 340 240HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL
1973
Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA

549649: Sequence number.

Assuming this accurate, and the Fender Tag on the one I am eying is essentially the same, lower sequence number and a couple different options, sounds like it may be a little on the rare side. Then throw in the "I" code, ?

It is fairly rare, but, rare doesn't always equal valuable. A '73 340 car is no doubt worth more than a '73 318 car, but still no where near what a '71 340 car is worth.

And there's a couple of BIG things working against you. Not having the matching numbers engine is a big deal for value of an OE restoration. Does it matter as much for a restomod or something? No. But the highest value of these cars is usually an OE restoration, and you can't be matching numbers without the matching engine. That's a big hit in value.

The other thing is the roof. They aren't reproduced. So, you have to find a donor car to provide one. It's not a super hard panel to replace, but it's like 200+ spot welds to drill out and put back. And because the parts aren't readily available a lot of people will just flat out not buy a car that needs a roof. Plus, if the roof has been compromised for any length of time, you'll likely have more rust and panel replacements to take care of. Not always, but a lot of the time there'll be other significant panels that have to be replaced.

Now, it's a roller, it was a 340 car, so it should have BBP disk brakes, an 8 1/4 rear, plus the other goodies listed on the tag. For a roller A-body the going rate around here is probably about $1k, regardless of it's documentation. If the car is actually "really clean" like you say with exception of the roof, it might be worth paying a little more for it because of the other stuff it has that you won't have to upgrade compared to buying a similar condition /6 car. But it really depends on that rust, and how game you are to replace a roof panel. If you need to pay someone to replace the roof, it will not be cheap.

 

[Ronald C.]

It is fairly rare, but, rare doesn't always equal valuable. A '73 340 car is no doubt worth more than a '73 318 car, but still no where near what a '71 340 car is worth.

And there's a couple of BIG things working against you. Not having the matching numbers engine is a big deal for value of an OE restoration. Does it matter as much for a restomod or something? No. But the highest value of these cars is usually an OE restoration, and you can't be matching numbers without the matching engine. That's a big hit in value.

The other thing is the roof. They aren't reproduced. So, you have to find a donor car to provide one. It's not a super hard panel to replace, but it's like 200+ spot welds to drill out and put back. And because the parts aren't readily available a lot of people will just flat out not buy a car that needs a roof. Plus, if the roof has been compromised for any length of time, you'll likely have more rust and panel replacements to take care of. Not always, but a lot of the time there'll be other significant panels that have to be replaced.

Now, it's a roller, it was a 340 car, so it should have BBP disk brakes, an 8 1/4 rear, plus the other goodies listed on the tag. For a roller A-body the going rate around here is probably about $1k, regardless of it's documentation. If the car is actually "really clean" like you say with exception of the roof, it might be worth paying a little more for it because of the other stuff it has that you won't have to upgrade compared to buying a similar condition /6 car. But it really depends on that rust, and how game you are to replace a roof panel. If you need to pay someone to replace the roof, it will not be cheap.

 

[Ronald C.]

More to come....

Have a doner with a good top so wont have to locate one of those...

 

[diymirage]

So it's a complete car, only missing the most important part?

 

[Ronald C.]

So it's a complete car, only missing the most important part?

Exactly. Which is only a big deal if you are not a fan of convertibles.....

 

[72bluNblu]

Exactly. Which is only a big deal if you are not a fan of convertibles.....

I think he meant the 340.

If you have a donor for the roof then it will be a lot more appealing of a car to you than anyone else, so keep that in mind when you negotiate. Most people will see that roof and run away. If you can fix it and you can get the car fairly cheap, it could be a good deal. Assuming the floors and frame rails don't look like the roof does. My bronze GT is like that, needs a roof from sitting outside with a vinyl top, but the rest of the car is pretty solid.

But I still think it's probably in the $1,000 to $1,500 range as it sits, assuming the rest of it is fairly solid. It still needs a lot of work, and it won't ever be numbers matching so it's "rare" pedigree doesn't mean much.

 

[Ronald C.]

From the surface, it appears to need the obvious roof and there is some cancer in the lower rear qtr panel, pass side. Other than that the floors are good, little bit of surface rust, but that is about it. all the glass is good, door panels, etc. Carpet is out, which is probably the only thing saving the floors from rusting. It really has all the makings of an "older owner, periodic daily driver, garage kept" car. But once the top went bad, it was a race to the finish line for this jewel. I an not 100%, but I think even the paint would buff out if it wasn't for the roof.

 

[Ronald C.]

Additional Pic.

It grieves me to entertain the thought, but it may be a solid buy for a parts car if nothing else. I'm just not sure if its legal to hack up an H code for the sale of parts....

 

[barbee6043]

I figure SOLID but typical rust, Dusters at bout $1000-1500. A bad roof is way not solid. The H code is worth ? ,a 4 speed car is worth ?
#'s I have owned ???? many 68-70 B bodies ober the deacdes, I think I have fond maybe 3?? out of 50? #'s cars. People drove them hard and broke them. I had a 69 383 Runner a bd fond for me, had been in his conty since new, he knew all its man owners, He knew it had maybe 6-8 engines in it over its life. But so happened the last owner had fond and rebuilt its original engine. This is a rare occurance. Seldom do you find an HP engine to be in its original body!
The question that should be asked on these project is not so much is it worth?? $500 or $2000, BUT what will it cost to put it back together, get it on the road, and maybe restored to some degree.??????
People on her and every where else sells off a project or restored car, and they hate to tell what it actually brought!! So it is hard to have any real comparables.

 

[72bluNblu]

I figure SOLID but typical rust, Dusters at bout $1000-1500. A bad roof is way not solid. The H code is worth ? ,a 4 speed car is worth ?
#'s I have owned ???? many 68-70 B bodies ober the deacdes, I think I have fond maybe 3?? out of 50? #'s cars. People drove them hard and broke them. I had a 69 383 Runner a bd fond for me, had been in his conty since new, he knew all its man owners, He knew it had maybe 6-8 engines in it over its life. But so happened the last owner had fond and rebuilt its original engine. This is a rare occurance. Seldom do you find an HP engine to be in its original body!
The question that should be asked on these project is not so much is it worth?? $500 or $2000, BUT what will it cost to put it back together, get it on the road, and maybe restored to some degree.??????
People on her and every where else sells off a project or restored car, and they hate to tell what it actually brought!! So it is hard to have any real comparables.

A roof skin by itself isn’t any harder to replace than a full floor pan. The only problem is finding the skin. If you’ve got one, it’s not a big deal. And a full floor pan replacement is pretty typical rust in a lot of places. Roof skins replacements just freak people out because they usually show up on cars with more serious rust everywhere else too.

All of these cars cost more to repair and restore than what they’re actually worth. If you’re paying someone else to do the work you can forget ever selling for a profit, unless you hold onto the car long enough for the rising market to create a profit for you. If you do the work yourself and pay attention to costs you might be able to come out a little ahead compared to the cost of parts, but again, you’re not going to make money if you consider labor.

The only real question to ask is if you want to build the car and have the resources (money/time/skills) to do it.