Swing me! A 1969 Dart Swinger 340 4speed in Austria, Europe
...Well, a lot of time has passed... and it was a challenge - but it's done!!!
Briefly the flashback:
The car came to me in February/March 2020 and the plan was to get the car back on the road in autumn 2020. But that was probably too utopian, since the car had been left standing since 1995 (last registered in California and then it was in a hall in Long Beach)... And how I cursed this car - I'll admit it honestly. I almost lost interest in the hobby for a moment. My dream of a matching numbers 340, 4speed... two personally very turbulent years privately later... I have "paid my dues" and learned a lot.
Thanks to:
But at this point I have to thank several people in advance:
1. My parents - especially my dear Mr. Papa helped me with parts and above all mentally - my dear Mrs. Mama shook her head several times - understandably.
2. Muggi - Doc Stinger's Mopar Garage in Austria. It would have been impossible without him. So much accommodating, work and parts etc. It is and will always be an amazing place to go and I am so happy to have this workshop in Austria. Such a personable knowledgeable friend and down to earth!
3. Chromwerk - Us Car Parts (especially Andi and Jockl) - helped me with parts at friendly prices and even some gifts - infinitely grateful here too.
4. Various friends who had parts. Helped me with parts from America - thanks Wolfgang here! Roger for mental coaching!^^
And, well I was frustrated and saw this season also cancelled (again for my Swinger)... - I had big problems becoming the car street legal, 'cause they didn't like the quality of the old 80s paintwork... I waited a long time... The licensing authority said to me: the paintwork is too bad, they wanted proof of the color and that the car will be painted in the next few years - which was out of the question for me because that's exactly how I wanted it... That was the point where I just wanted to get rid of the car for a short time out of anger... a lot of back and forth and I manged to get the car street legal. And last friday I got the papers and drove to get the car from Muggi back home. Roadkill special: without heating, with a Hoodie and f***ing cold feet, I drove home 130miles on the Highway at only 60mp/h... But I was just happy.
And now the car is with me - so I drove around 250miles with it over the weekend, always grinning big and it's what it is. Not perfect, yet perfect for me. A few little things will be done over the winter (e.g. fuel cap in body color or chrome, a door panel has holes - but only one ^^ ...)
What's it all about?
1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 , 4speed, 3.55 sure grip (all matching numbers!!!). The car had three extras: servo, vinyl roof (wasn't mounted when I bought it), the cheapest possible radio. Not a GTS, but a real swinger - the cheapest of the cheap... no trim, no blacked out grill, no nothing... well. Just engine and a "mighty boom".:p
And this lady is a hell of a ride - the engine has already around 450-500miles on it - the 340 with the 4 speed and 3.55 sure grip is brutal. And the day two look with the slot mags is my highlight... like in the high school parking lot in 1973 or in front of the Burger King or something like this...
but enough talking - some pics:
Engine when I bought it:
Engine now (the ugly hose will be replaced, Fanshroud is already installed)
The rotton interior back when I bought it:
and now...
And now the Highlight:
(the '71 Duster 340 of my father)
Well, now I'm happy and have my first little racing machine, and it's rough and tough. Not something fine and shiny and that's a good thing. I have my #matching numbers street racer and I'm in love, the robust sound, the martially spartan look, the engine, the gearbox, the clutch for the leg workout...every tunnel knows I'm there.:p
...Well, a lot of time has passed... and it was a challenge - but it's done!!!
Briefly the flashback:
The car came to me in February/March 2020 and the plan was to get the car back on the road in autumn 2020. But that was probably too utopian, since the car had been left standing since 1995 (last registered in California and then it was in a hall in Long Beach)... And how I cursed this car - I'll admit it honestly. I almost lost interest in the hobby for a moment. My dream of a matching numbers 340, 4speed... two personally very turbulent years privately later... I have "paid my dues" and learned a lot.
Thanks to:
But at this point I have to thank several people in advance:
1. My parents - especially my dear Mr. Papa helped me with parts and above all mentally - my dear Mrs. Mama shook her head several times - understandably.
2. Muggi - Doc Stinger's Mopar Garage in Austria. It would have been impossible without him. So much accommodating, work and parts etc. It is and will always be an amazing place to go and I am so happy to have this workshop in Austria. Such a personable knowledgeable friend and down to earth!
3. Chromwerk - Us Car Parts (especially Andi and Jockl) - helped me with parts at friendly prices and even some gifts - infinitely grateful here too.
4. Various friends who had parts. Helped me with parts from America - thanks Wolfgang here! Roger for mental coaching!^^
And, well I was frustrated and saw this season also cancelled (again for my Swinger)... - I had big problems becoming the car street legal, 'cause they didn't like the quality of the old 80s paintwork... I waited a long time... The licensing authority said to me: the paintwork is too bad, they wanted proof of the color and that the car will be painted in the next few years - which was out of the question for me because that's exactly how I wanted it... That was the point where I just wanted to get rid of the car for a short time out of anger... a lot of back and forth and I manged to get the car street legal. And last friday I got the papers and drove to get the car from Muggi back home. Roadkill special: without heating, with a Hoodie and f***ing cold feet, I drove home 130miles on the Highway at only 60mp/h... But I was just happy.
And now the car is with me - so I drove around 250miles with it over the weekend, always grinning big and it's what it is. Not perfect, yet perfect for me. A few little things will be done over the winter (e.g. fuel cap in body color or chrome, a door panel has holes - but only one ^^ ...)
What's it all about?
1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 , 4speed, 3.55 sure grip (all matching numbers!!!). The car had three extras: servo, vinyl roof (wasn't mounted when I bought it), the cheapest possible radio. Not a GTS, but a real swinger - the cheapest of the cheap... no trim, no blacked out grill, no nothing... well. Just engine and a "mighty boom".:p
And this lady is a hell of a ride - the engine has already around 450-500miles on it - the 340 with the 4 speed and 3.55 sure grip is brutal. And the day two look with the slot mags is my highlight... like in the high school parking lot in 1973 or in front of the Burger King or something like this...
but enough talking - some pics:
Engine when I bought it:
Engine now (the ugly hose will be replaced, Fanshroud is already installed)
The rotton interior back when I bought it:
and now...
And now the Highlight:
(the '71 Duster 340 of my father)
Well, now I'm happy and have my first little racing machine, and it's rough and tough. Not something fine and shiny and that's a good thing. I have my #matching numbers street racer and I'm in love, the robust sound, the martially spartan look, the engine, the gearbox, the clutch for the leg workout...every tunnel knows I'm there.:p