Classic Mopar as a daily... Crazy idea?

[plymouth67]

So..in the warmer months I do pretty much daily drive my 75 360 Duster. It has been dubbed "The Work Car". I have a 60 mile a day round trip. I built this car to be a driver. It has no A/C, very mild Magnum headed LA 360, 727, 3.23 Sure Grip. The car is very reliable and gets around the same gas mileage as my 2019 Ram. I stop driving it late in the fall or when the first snow flies and break it back out early spring after the salt has washed off the roads. I'm in your corner here and say DO IT!! These cars were everyone's daily transportation at some point.

 

[oldkimmer]

I daily drove my A bodies thru spring, summer, fall and winter from 77 to 84. Putting on about 30,000 miles per year. I had 3 or ; A bodies per year. Then I bought my 68 Dart 270. I built it my way and it had an easy life. Sold it in 95. Got it back in 25. I bought my 75 duster 360 in 2011. I put 4,000 miles on it since then. I still have my 74 duster 360 4 gear car also. Kim

 

[85glht]

I would love to have an SRT-4 Neon, but the idea of finding one with some life left in it is pretty daunting.

The FWD turbo cars are fun and would work well. There is an '88 Shelby Z T2 car for $3500 that just popped up locally. It's been sitting in a barn for years so would probably require some work to get running but the interior looks good and it would be a kick. Add a "Gus" valve and zener diode and go have fun with it.

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Looks stock too!! I'd think about this one. Might be too good to pass up

 

[DionR]

Looks stock too!! I'd think about this one. Might be too good to pass up

I'm going to say someone already jumped on it, listing is gone. I know the guy who listed it and saw a comment where he said he was trying to get his wife to let him bring that one home, plus some others. I will have to ask him the next time I see him.

 

[TF360]

I've been using the newer Dart (2013-2016) for years now. I only go for the 2.0 SE model 2014 or newer, and the 6 speed Automatic is spot on (excellent.) While driving 65 on the Highway you get about 42mpg, 4 wheel disc brakes that seem to last forever, and very solid body. My son had about 170,000 on his, but just lost it in a flood. Couple little small issues, but nothing for a car guy.

 

[Woody500]

Camry V6 is a totally different animal than the 4cyl, but I don’t disagree that it’s a boring car.

The side impact on any 70’s vehicle is unacceptable if your life matters to you in a “oh ****, this is totally out of my control” situation. Like getting blindsided through an intersection.

My daughter & her husband were T-boned 3 yr ago by a Cadillac Escalade. She's a Sales Manager for Andy Mohr & were driving a new Tyoda Camry & it was snowing, which lessened the hit little.
Whole right side caved in & tweeked the door frames & top of car. No pic, As once again I can't figure out how to send it!
Many hits won't be that bad, but a PU or SUV is over the top, so safety must be less.
Which leafs to snother question? Anyone ever put side beams in an A body or beefed up whats already there? Mods like that would at least make you feel more secure.

 

[oldkimmer]

I believe 73 up A bodies have side impact beams in the doors. Every little helps. Don’t forget 67 and older A bodies don’t have a collapsable steering column so they are even more at risk. Kim

 

[Ant]

Almost 2 years ago one of my two daily drivers at the time was and still is considered a classic car. Unfortunately I was rear ended by a semi truck and my very reliable 42 year old Mercedes W123 280E was totaled. That car was the best, forget going from A to B, it would take you all the way to Z. Maintenance was easy and there was no unnecessary computers to get in the way, the car just worked.

So, 100% you can daily drive a classic car, but not classic cars are reliable. For the good reliable-ish cars, learn as much as you can about the car and master it. As a mechanic, I knew what I was getting into and can learn what I need to easier. After getting my hands on a 73 A body Dart and experiencing things myself I can say a good maintained stock classic early 70s A body Mopar is 100% doable as a daily driver.

 

[Dartswinger70]

On the more door topic I saw a 69 Dart more door at the drag strip and it was fast... they can be made to run just like a 2 door and I m pretty sure the weight is close also.