72 Dart Swinger Full Resto or DD Project?
My first car was a '72 Swinger ( LH23G2B ) which I bought in 1989 for $800 . It had a 318/904 and that pile-of-sh*t 7.25" diff ; was EV2 Hemi Orange ( factory-applied ; unusual for a non-perf model to have a Hi-Impact colour , especially in '72 ! ) .
I built the motor with the top end from a 360 two bbl with a carb from a 400 two bbl
( to simplify those irritating emissions' test ; thank God all '75 & earlier cars are now exempt !! ) ; the 904 received a Trans-Go TF-1 reprogrammer , Kevlar bands , h.d. clutches , deep pan and Type-F ; that 110% worthless 7.25" diff hit the trash in favour of an 8.25" from a '74 Duster 360 with 3.21's & Sure Grip ; disc brakes from the same Duster ( got rid of those for-the-time-impossible-to-find-parts-for 4 piston KH
calipres ! ) .
The white vinyle top was scrapped for two reasons :
1. Beautiful rust around the backlight ( yes , California cars DO rust !! ) ;
2. It was torn-away from the 'C' pillar trim
I simply painted the roof in gloss rattle can white , after smoothing-over the crappy factory-applied filler ( where the roof's welded to the 'C' pillar ) .
Wheels were from a 1975 Coronet wagon ( ex-Fire Dept car ) which were 15x7" , without the sought-after '78 - '89 'vented' police wheels , and junk yard find '69 - '74 Dodge hub caps ; tyres were -- iirc -- 225 70-15 .
A factory AM/FM radio replaced the original AM ( I absolutely HATE butchering dashes for after market receivers !! ) .
The 1972 Dart / Demon has -- imo -- the best looking grille design .
I certainly miss my beloved '72 . I had to sell it 11 years ago due to medical problems
( I've since recovered ) ; its replacement is a 1972 Coronet , which is my daily driver , and will eventually be built to "A38" ( police package spec ) standards ( Certified 120 mph speedo , rubber mats , etc. ) .
Please continue to keep us posted on the progress of your '72 !
Personally , I'd like to see a "day 2" resto ( Cragar S/S wheels , S/W tach , etc. ,
etc. ) , but with modern engine internals , suspension upgrades , tyres , etc.
But , it's YOUR car . Do as YOU please with it :-)
