There isn't a single gearhead out there who would deny that the golden age of muscle cars in America was the late '60s and the early '70s. Sadly, that time was cut short thanks to strict emissions norms and the advent of the Malaise Era by '74. Nevertheless, the automotive industry churned out some absolute gems which went on to become icons in history. The muscle car fever had gripped the nation, and in 1969, Dodge decided to let the masses have a taste of it on a compact and affordable scale in the form of the Dart Swinger.
The Dodge Dart Swinger gave the American consumers a perfect blend of sexy style, a sturdy build quality, and impressive performance. This is what made the car the instant hit it became. Another great aspect about the Dodge Dart Swinger that history remembers it for is its great affordability, which made it sell in egregious amounts every single year. In the 1971 model year, the Dodge Dart sold a whopping 250,000 units! Without further ado, here are 8 things only real gearheads know about the 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger.
8 The 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger Came With Two Standard Engine Options
In 1971, the cheapest Dodge Dart Swinger came with the entry level 3.2-liter slant-six engine. This power mill was carried over unchanged from the previous model year. The 3.2-liter unit delivered 125 horsepower, mated to either a three-speed manual transmission as standard, or the TorqueFlite three-speed auto.
The other standard engine was a 5.2-liter V8, which provided a huge increase in power. This V8 power mill churned out 230 horsepower, and came mated to same transmission options as the base-level engine. The extra punch from the 5.2-liter engine made the 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger feel a lot more like a proper muscle car rather than a city-based compact with muscular looks. Furthermore, Dodge even offered an optional 3.7-liter slant-six engine making 145 horsepower for those looking for a middle ground.
7 Dodge Gave The Swinger Trim Only To The Dart’s Sexiest Body Type In 1971
1971 stands as a special year, because it marked the birth of the legendary high-performance Dodge Demon. For the model year, Dodge decided to give the Swinger name only to the two-door hardtop, which, in our opinion, is undeniably the sexiest body type for a muscle car.
The Swinger name was given only to the entry-level Dodge Dart two-door hardtop, and the car locked heads with contemporary rivals like the Chevrolet Nova, the Mercury Comet, and the Oldsmobile Omega.
6 The Swinger Nameplate Underwent Changes For The 1971 Model Year
In the 1971 model year, Dodge decided to make some changes to the Dart lineup and the Swinger nameplate along with it. The 2-door hardtop coupe, which was the base-model Dart, now became the Swinger. Along with it, the Swinger that customers were familiar with became the Swinger 'Special'.
The Dodge Dart also spawned off one of the most legendary Dodge cars ever made. Where the Dart Swinger ran on the iconic 340 cubic-inch V8 engine, it was the new trim, the Dodge Dart Demon, which now shouldered that responsibility. The Dodge Dart Demon was their version of the Plymouth Duster, and the two cars were neck-and-neck in sales for the 1971 model year.
5 The 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger Was The Perfect ‘Budget’ Muscle Car
Dodge's Dart Swinger was the perfect budget muscle car in 1971. The car's price point was significantly lower than many of its contemporaries in the muscle car market. This is what made the '71 Dart Swinger such an attractive option for customers who wanted to bring home the style of a muscle car and even some of the performance, but didn't want to pay the high price tag that came with the more powerful muscle monsters at the time.
The 1971 Dart Swinger was never too underpowered to not be deemed a muscle car, but it was also affordable enough to increase its customer base. The average consumer thus got a great blend of affordability, performance, and style with the '71 Dodge Dart Swinger in a way that competitors at the time simply couldn't offer.
4 The 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger Gave Up The Formidable 340 Engine To The Demon
1970 was the last year that the Dodge Dart Swinger came with the 340 cubic-inch V8 engine. This was the top-of-the-line power mill which made the Swinger the household name in affordable performance across the country. However, from 1971 onwards, Dodge limited the Dart Swinger to only the 318 cubic-inch engine as the highest option.
This was done to make way for the Dodge Dart Demon 340, which Dodge launched in the same model year's lineup. The crown of Dodge's fantastic 340 engine was now the Demon's to wear.
3 The 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger Was One Of The Quickest Compacts Of Its Time
Dodge offered a 318 ci V8 engine as the most powerful option on the 1971 Dart Swinger. Making 230 horsepower and 320 lb-ft torque, the Dodge Dart Swinger was also one of the fastest compacts on the market.
This powerful mill under the hood helped the Swinger go from 0 to 60mph in about 8.2 seconds, which was quite an impressive figure for 1971. On the other hand, the Dodge Dart Demon, which now ran on the 340 engine that the Dart came with until 1971, reached the 60 mph mark in about 6.2 seconds.
2 Dodge Offered The 1971 Dart Swinger With Plenty Of Luxurious Options
For the 1971 model, Dodge offered a wider variety of luxury features on the Dart Swinger than ever before. Even though this did increase the price of the car a little, it still remained considerably affordable. The 1971 Swinger came with color-keyed carpeting, a padded steering wheel, faux-wood grain trimming on the dashboard, and other luxurious touches that enhanced the cabin.
Furthermore, there were even better options on offer, such as Airtemp air-con, a stereo cassette player, bucket seats with vinyl upholstery, power steering, and power brakes.
1 Even Today, The 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger Is Pretty Affordable
Dodge made the 1971 Dart Swinger a very affordable car in its day. The '71 Dart Swinger retailed with a base price of $2,561 according to J.D. Power, and for that price, customers got a capable daily driving engine.
In fact, for gearheads who wish to have one of these classic beauties in their driveway, it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg today, either. Hagerty evaluates a well-kept model of the 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger at around $13,400, meaning this 52-year-old classic muscle car still holds on to its affordable reputation.