Advice needed for buying a 69 dart

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Davegonewild

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Hi guys, I am new to the forum and darts. A renter of mine has a 69 Dodge Dart 2 door,318 auto trans, column shift, bench seat that he may need to sell. He offered it to me but I have no idea what it is worth and what research I should do on it before I make an offer. It runs and drives great. Paint is fair with a few dings and scratches but nothing major. Door panels and seats need to be reupholstered. I have been told Engine and trans are original and rebuilt. New bushings on the front end. And it was built in LA and stayed in California it's whole life.

What do you guys think?

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Looks and sounds like a good honest car. I do see cardboard under the front. Is that to catch a massive oil drip? Check it CAREFULLY for major accident damage and RUST. If you don't know how to do that, we can give you some good hints. If it runs and drives well, I would guess (and correct me if you think I'm wrong guys), it would be worth around $6,000. Painted and freshened up inside and out would help the price a lot. However, in this case, mediocre paint and a rough interior are in your favor. Did he shoot you a price. I would think that if you could get it for less than $4,000, that would be a pretty good price.
 
It has a small oil leak so I asked him to put the card board underneath. I can get underneath it to inspect it. I will do that before I make an offer. I believe he will sell it in the 5k range. Anything else I should be looking for? How difficult is it to tell if the engine and trans are original? Where can I find more info on the car, like the original exterior and interior color? Thank You guys for all your help.
 
It missing the trunk emblem, or its not installed, could have been repainted and not put back on. Looks clean for the age. Pull the VIN and get the info off the fender tag. This will tell you what it had from the factory.
 
Look at the underhood drivers side inner fender, near the starter relay, and a factory fender tag should be present. Use any number of Mopar sites(i.e. My Mopar) to decode the tag. Decoding the tag will reveal the equipment installed at the factory including the factory exterior color and interior.

The VIN tag should be present on the upper dash - drivers front corner. Match that VIN to the driver door tag, and the VIN number stamped on the fender tag, partial VIN on the engine block oil pan drip rail, and the same stamped on the radiator support and the transmission.

The big plus on this car is the lack of rot, and it's a factory V-8 equipped car.

Assess what the car needs and the cost to repair / renew those items versus buying a car that needs nothing.

Good luck with the possible acquisition --- if it does work out, PM me ---
 
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Nice looking car. I would put it in the $3000 - $5000 range depending on a thorough inspection.
Odd that it has stayed in California its whole life and has modern plates on it. I wonder if it was a salvage or lien purchase.
 
DFX 340 Duster said:
Nice looking car. I would put it in the $3000 - $5000 range depending on a thorough inspection.
Odd that it has stayed in California its whole life and has modern plates on it. I wonder if it was a salvage or lien purchase.
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I don't think it was a salvage or lien. It's been in the same family since it was new. I'll ask why the black plates were taken off.
 
Welcome from Fredericskburg, VA.

That looks like a very clean car. I paid about $3200 for mine originally, and as bodies go your possible car looks like it is in much better shape than mine was. Granted, I was paying for newly rebuilt and mildly upgraded small block that was in the car recognizing that my car needed a lot of cosmetic work. I would think if you could get it for somewhere around $4000 or so, you would be getting a good deal, particularly if the car will run. Definitely get under the car and look for any obvious problems with the frame rails.
 
take refrigerator magnet and put it on the known problem areas
front fenders, rear quarters and trunklid

if it does NOT stick there is too much bondo hiding under the paint
 
diymirage said:
take refrigerator magnet and put it on the known problem areas
front fenders, rear quarters and trunklid

if it does NOT stick there is too much bondo hiding under the paint
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Great idea. And I am going to get the rest of the codes tomorrow.

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1970dartcustom said:
That is a great car. Unless something is majorly wrong, I'd pay 5,000 easy for it.
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Looks like I might be able to get it for 4K. If so, I will put it up on a lift and take a look at everything. I really appreciate all the guidance.

65Val said:
Would make an excellent Swinger clone (bench, column-shift, no side or trunk chrome)
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I do like the paint stripe on the swingers.
 
^^^i like that!^^^

I'm thinking an intake, 4 barrel carb and headers to wake up the 318. Thoughts?
 
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that old school rubber antenna is hilarious! - I consider myself pretty picky - - I would buy that car - from what we can see it looks straight and original - 4k would be my limit as it is going to need some work - which means more $$$ going out to get it road worthy. - and yea, hot rodding up a bit is a natural move - but fix whatever is wrong with the car FIRST. - like the oil leak...
 
Where are you located in SoCal? I'll come look at it with you if he decides to sell and you want to buy. If it's not to far I'll drive my 69 there so you can see the potential of the best year of the Dodge Dart. oops. P.S. You are already ahead with the v8 cross member for a nice small block swap.
 
SoulSurvivor said:
Where are you located in SoCal? I'll come look at it with you if he decides to sell and you want to buy. If it's not to far I'll drive my 69 there so you can see the potential of the best year of the Dodge Dart. oops. P.S. You are already ahead with the v8 cross member for a nice small block swap.
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Pm sent
 
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