When most car fans look at classic muscle cars, they tend to focus on top-shelf rarities. Whether it is the '67 Shelby GT500 Super Snake or '69 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1, super rare and fast muscle cars tend to be at the center of attention, and understandably so. Though the more mainstream muscle cars may at times be eclipsed by more interesting vehicles, they still deserve their time in the spotlight.
Dodge came out with several amazing muscle cars. The most iconic Dodge performance cars of all time are now worth north of a million. However, mass-produced monsters such as the Dodge Dart deserve to be looked at. They were worth almost nothing back then, but they are likely to increase in value in the future.
10 The Original
The 1960s were a very interesting decade. Following the economic recession of 1958, motorists were looking to get more bang for their buck. Several manufacturers downgraded their models in order to acquire a larger market share. Dodge started becoming increasingly relevant during that era.
The original Darts were among the classic muscle cars that had some incredible luxury features. Though the Dart was initially targeting motorists that were more likely to settle for a Plymouth, it became a hit among collectors. A '60 Dodge Dart Phoenix can go for the price of a 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack.
9 Butterface
The early 1960s witnessed the transformation of the American car. Carmakers were increasingly fitting bottom and middle-tier cars with outstanding engines. While Ford was experimenting, Chevrolet and Dodge had already released some mean machines ready to be modified.
Two years after the release of the first Dart, Dodge decided to equip the car with something drag racers would die for. Based on Chrysler's B platform, the '62 Dart 440 came at best with a 413 cu in Max Wedge V8. The engine was also made available on street-legal Darts. This monster may have inspired Dodge to come up with the Swinger years later.
8 Monster On The Strip
Over the last couple of months, every muscle car enthusiast has gone crazy over the 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock. It is by far one of the most complete Dodge Challenger to date. The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 cranks out more power than the average European supercar. Most car fans are unaware that the latest Super Stock is not the first one of its kind.
By 1968, the Dart had outsold several vehicles of the same caliber offered by other brands under Chrysler. It became imperative for Dodge to release a highly-powered race car ready to annihilate the competition. Only 80 LO23 Super Stocks made in 1968. A few lucky gearheads got their hands on a 426 cu in Hemi V8-powered Dart.
7 The Core
Today, engines such as the Coyote or Hellcat are the center of attention. Given their power and modularity, it is quite normal they became popular among hardcore gearheads. Back in the day, Dodge was already fitting its cars with astonishing powerplants.
The '68 Dodge Dart Hemi LO23 Super Stock weighs roughly 3,020 lbs. The car's light weight worked really well with the 426 cu in Hemi V8. The Hemi engine is rated at 425 HP at 5,000 RPM and 490 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. The Dart 440 and the LO23 Super Stock greatly inspired the Dart Swinger.
6 First One
After several years of professional racing, as well as trial and error, Dodge finally came out with a car that fared well on and off the road. Though the car was not given the legendary "R/T" badge, it sure was something that could scare a Mustang owner at the drag strip. The Dart Swinger was born.
The '69 Dodge Dart Swinger should be among the sickest classic Dodge muscle cars of all time. For those who could not afford a mouth-watering '69 Charger R/T, the Dart Swinger was a great alternative. The Charger R/T started at around $4,240, while the Dart Swinger was priced at $2,400.
5 Potent
By 1969, most carmakers had released a few legendary beasts on the market. The Corvette L88 and the Shelby GT500 had already mesmerized young and old car fans alike. Though they were not as expensive as they are today, they still had a hefty price tag back then. However, people with a need for speed had plenty to choose from.
Far from being the poor's man muscle car, the Swinger was a legend in the making. Underneath the hood sits a 340 cu in LA V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor rated at 275 HP at 4,400 RPM. That is a lot of power for a low-end muscle car. Needless to say, the 20,000 Dart Swingers produced that year sold in no time.
4 Stay In Your Lane
The Golden Age of the American car may have been a fluke, but people during that era were surrounded by legendary vehicles. As the number of domestic carmakers shrunk over time, today's is somewhat lacking in diversity. Back in the late '60s and early '70s, muscle cars were plentiful and followed a well-defined hierarchy.
The best trim made available for the Dart was the GTS. Costing a $1,000 more than the Swinger, the GTS is equipped at best with a 440 cu in Wedge big-block V8 that pumps out 375 HP at 4,400 RPM. While Dodge could have given both the Swinger and the GTS more power, the company decided to focus its attention on more high-end cars such as the newly-released Challenger.
3 Fast Bucket
It is well-known that most prominent American carmakers bought several ailing companies back in the 1910s and 1920s. Companies such as Dodge, DeSoto, or Plymouth ended up becoming subsidiaries of Chrysler. Plymouth ended up becoming Chrysler's affordable brand.
In 1970, Plymouth introduced the Duster. Equipped with the same 340 cu in LA V8 found on the Dart Swinger, the Duster is also rated at 275 HP. The main difference between the two cars was the price. The Swinger was around $250 more expensive than the Duster. Following the success of the Duster, the Dart Swinger's popularity started losing its appeal.
2 Beginning Of The End
The EPA was created in 1970. The same year, Nixon's administration passed the Clean Air Act of 1970. The much-needed bill was ratified in order to improve the air quality on a federal level. Such a bill had an extremely negative impact on the automobile industry.
For 1971, Dodge maintained the production of the Swinger. The Swinger saw its name change to the Swinger Special. The Swinger became the Dodge Demon, and featured the same 340 cu in V8 found on the Swinger released the previous year. The Swinger was now offered with a variety of engines, including a 198 cu in Slant 6 engine that develops a saddening 125 HP at 4,400 RPM and 180 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 RPM.
1 Last Year
As 1972 set in, the vast majority of muscle cars saw their power output diminish. In order to be compliant with the law in vigor, carmakers were obliged to decrease the attractiveness of their once-mighty engines. With all that being said, these cars are still emblematic.
By 1972, the Swinger was no longer the go-to low-end muscle car. Dodge had greatly diversified its portfolio and the 1972 Dart Demon 340 was the flagship vehicle of Dodge's low-end lineup. The Dart Swinger received minor cosmetic changes, but nothing that would make gearheads look away from the Demon. The Swinger was eventually discontinued in 1976, right as Ford released the worst Mustang ever made.