Any oddball 340 cars out there? (sedans, etc)

-
V

valianator

Active Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2010
Messages
42
Reaction score
0
Location
Indiana
We've all read about B-bodies built with Hemis that weren't supposed to be available. There are several '67 Belvederes and Satellites and at least a couple of non-Super Bee base model '68 Coronets.

Anybody ever see an A body with a (factory) 340 it wasn't supposed to have? A Valiant or Dart sedan or a '71-'73 Scamp or Swinger mabey?

Just wonderin'...
 
the only legitimate 'odd-ball' 340-powered A's that I know of are the '71 and '72 Swinger Special 340 models , built in-and-for Canada :
LL23H1R and LL23H2R .

it's completely possible that there were Scamps built with 340's ; however , it's doubtful that any 4 door 340 models were factory-built .

I've seen a stripped-down 1973 Dart Sport 340 at the salvage yard , many , many years ago ; made me cry :angry2:.
It was tan-on-tan , stripe-delete , bench seat / column-shift , deluxe wheel covers , standard driver's-side-only mirror ; just plain as hell !
It did , however , have 3.55's , AM-FM radio , rear window defroster , power steering and all vinyl seating .

There also exists a 1972 Scamp with a mis-struck v.i.n. of VH23H2R . Its fender tag is VH23G2R , which jibes with the door decal-v.i.n.
 
In 1972 the family down the street from our house had a 1971 Valiant four door with a 340. The story was that it was originally slated for a police department somewhere and never made it. It was in the Billings Montana car auction several times and no one bought it. Someone painted it maroon so it would sell better but no one was interested, so the guy down the street wound up bringing it home for the cost of the opening bid. The exterior was maroon and the jambs, under the hood and trunk were still white. It had a really plain interior.The engine appeared to be a 340 and it did have a different style, heavy duty alternator and high capacity cooling system. It also had dual exhaust. So the thing actually looked like it would be set up for police service, whether it really was or not. It didn't live long though as the guy drove it to Riverton Wyoming where it was stolen. It was found a couple of days later rolled down an embankment and laying on it's roof and totaled.. The guy who stole it was camping next to it. Had a cooler, campfire and lawn chairs set up when the deputies showed up!
 
I dont know if this counts as what your looking for but my Dad had a 1970 Duster that was built in 1969 and was badged a Valiant. All the emblems apeared to be o.e. The car was a 340 3 speed in the floor and was complete minus the engine. He bought it from the 2nd owner who had it in his impound lot for 20+ years. The car had never been painted and had no duster decals on it. It sold 6-7 years ago to a guy in Northern Ky.
 
Jpugg, the first year the Duster was made they did badge them as Duster Valiants cause they didn't think it would be vary successful. But it turned out very successful and was made into its own model the following year.
 
There is one of the 71 swinger 340's for sale in western Canada right now. I saw it on an online classified the other day. It is documented and legit. But I think it had a non matching engine.
 
There was the one member on here that found a '74 P code (400) Duster but it turned out to be a 360 car that the vin was factory misstamped.
 
Other than the Canadian 71/72 Swingers there aren't any known and documented factory oddballs. No 4 doors or wagons that have been proven real.

And there are Savage Barracuda GTs and 1972 Mr Norm Superchaged Demons. Next closest think to factory oddball, IMHO.

There are a couple 340 Barracuda Barris cars. 68 and 69 340 Barris Dart GTS verts. Some 340 72 Challengers verts used in TV shows like Mod Squad.

There are 340 boats.

And there's a rumor of some 66-67' Ghia 450 SS;s with a 340 motor that were a very late built cars. But many of those 450 SS's got 340's swapped in them from their original 273 HP motors. Sounds doubtful.

I don't think the 340 was used in any other "hybrid" breed car in the 60's to early 70's. ???
 
Thanks to FABO members I just found out this year that I've owned one of these oddball Canadian 1972 Dart Swinger 340 Specials for over 30 years(Thanks Cliff). I bought mine when I was 16 and in high school in 1978. It turns out mine is one of only two from Pembina Dodge known to exist. It's been sitting on stands in my garage for decades. Sure glad I didn't sell it!
 
Swinger340Canuc said:
Thanks to FABO members I just found out this year that I've owned one of these oddball Canadian 1972 Dart Swinger 340 Specials for over 30 years(Thanks Cliff). I bought mine when I was 16 and in high school in 1978. It turns out mine is one of only two from Pembina Dodge known to exist. It's been sitting on stands in my garage for decades. Sure glad I didn't sell it!
Click to expand...

Where is (or was) Pembina Dodge? what part of alberta are you in? I'm in whitecourt
 
Swinger340Canuc said:
Thanks to FABO members I just found out this year that I've owned one of these oddball Canadian 1972 Dart Swinger 340 Specials for over 30 years(Thanks Cliff). I bought mine when I was 16 and in high school in 1978. It turns out mine is one of only two from Pembina Dodge known to exist. It's been sitting on stands in my garage for decades. Sure glad I didn't sell it!
Click to expand...
Now that would be a rare car!Congrats!:cheers:
 
OK, other than the VIN, what's the diff between the LL23H cars and the LS23H cars?
 
Jpugg said:
I dont know if this counts as what your looking for but my Dad had a 1970 Duster that was built in 1969 and was badged a Valiant. All the emblems apeared to be o.e. The car was a 340 3 speed in the floor and was complete minus the engine. He bought it from the 2nd owner who had it in his impound lot for 20+ years. The car had never been painted and had no duster decals on it. It sold 6-7 years ago to a guy in Northern Ky.
Click to expand...

I think all dusters have a valiant badge on them somewhere. At least all the ones I have ever owned did, a 71 and 72. Even my 92 Duster was the same way and that was a completely different body/chassis all together.
 
Pembina Dodge is in Manitoba and is still in business, I assumed my car was a Crosstown car but FABO member Cliff Guinand was able to tell me it was a Pembina car. I'm in Sherwood Park.
 
You can always just stick a 340 right where any 318-360 engine is. Yes that isn't factory yet its an easy swap and if you already rebuilding an engine all you need is a good 340 block, the pistons do cost a bit more then the 360's.

I spent around $500 more then building a 360 but I think resale value will be more later on if I was to sell it over a built 360. The 360 would eek out more torque and does makes sense for many, I just had to be different, lol

Sorry to hi-jack the thread
 
well a LL23H is a 71 or 72 swinger 340 and a LS23H is a 68 or 69 383 GTS vin thats the difference
 
can think of the issue it was in but it was a pretty recent MCC , 67 valiant 340 4 speed valiant pilot car , im pretty sure it was a 67 , ill post issue if i find it , it was pretty interesting article.
 
oldcarnut said:
can think of the issue it was in but it was a pretty recent MCC , 67 valiant 340 4 speed valiant pilot car , im pretty sure it was a 67 , ill post issue if i find it , it was pretty interesting article.
Click to expand...

No 340's in 1967. Especially early in the 67 model year, July/Aug of 1966, when pilots cars were made. I think you're mistaken.

Was that the silver one with red interior? That owner is on Moparts and lives in AZ.

There are 67 4 door 273 hipo 4 barrel cars.

There is a fellow CPW clubmember that has a 273 2 barrel 4 door 67 Dart with 4 speed.
 
Not a 340, but a few years ago, I remember(or seem to remember)Hot Rod Magazine putting a 340 in a 67 Dart sedan (2 door post) that was originally a 273, 4 barrel. A real shame as instead of modding the tranny crossmember for a 727, they just used a long hose clamp around the tailshaft and crossmember. Not sure how rare that would have been but just seemed like it wouldn't have been real common.
 
coffeedart67 said:
Not a 340, but a few years ago, I remember(or seem to remember)Hot Rod Magazine putting a 340 in a 67 Dart sedan (2 door post) that was originally a 273, 4 barrel. A real shame as instead of modding the tranny crossmember for a 727, they just used a long hose clamp around the tailshaft and crossmember. Not sure how rare that would have been but just seemed like it wouldn't have been real common.
Click to expand...
A 727 and 904 use the same crossmember so they must of had some other problem to need a hose clamp.
 
Check this out!
Along with the then known '71 Swinger 340 Specials from 2 Western Canadian Dealerships (no mention of '72's, which hadn't been brought to light yet) – according to this Mopar Muscle article about the 'scarcest' Mopars – there were a few '71 or '72 340 Duster Twisters that were made - I'm on the possible tail of one here in Southern Alberta. Cliff
 

Attachments

  • scarce.mopar.pg.jpg
    234.7 KB · Views: 228
................Hey Cliff...........would a 72 twister 340 4 gear be worth anymore than a regular 340 4 gear duster.......twister was just a stripe option was it not, with twin scoops...................kim...........
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top