1970 Dart Swinger 340 tail stripes - what designers intended

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str12-340

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So in the Old Days (read: no AI mumbo jumbo) the factory was faced with a difficult problem - how do you get pictures of your new models so that you can start enticing buyers before the cars are actually available for sale? This is especially true for smaller volume performance versions. For 1970 Swinger 340s you can see it in the sales brochure for 1970 Darts where they show the NEW! Rallye Wheels as an option without the center trim piece, just he bare wheel and lugs.

The oddest version of this is found in early media releases. All the pictures are in black and white so they can print them in the newspaper and the 3 pages of hype were clearly typed on a manual typewriter! and there on the pictures clear as day, the tail stripes wrap all the way around the car and across the rear valance panel. This is clearly what the designers had in mind and it was just too difficult to execute in vinyl on the factory floor. The valance was just too curvy.

I always wanted to execute this on one of my Darts and maybe someday I'll get around to it!

press release Dart stripes 2.jpeg


press release Dart stripes 1.jpeg

and notice right side third picture down is a Dart with tail stripes and no hood scoops!
 
The hand type was more normal practice than you think back then but a lot of the hand type was for press releases. Some news papers would just grab and go and the type was released with the photos. A new story - even about a new car was a new story. Back when newspapers were real stories and sold advertisements based on readership.
 
I had many 70 340 swingers. I owned a dark green with white stripe 70 340 swinger that had the stripe go all the way around like pictured. It was the only one I ever saw. It was tape not paint. I painted the car black and sold it.

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I had many 70 340 swingers. I owned a dark green with white stripe 70 340 swinger that had the stripe go all the way around like pictured. It was the only one I ever saw. It was tape not paint. I painted the car black and sold it.

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They are just neat cars I bought mine in 1993 and still have it. Believe it or not by 93 they were becoming a rare sight on the street. I knew a guy 1 town over who still daily drove one in the 90s it had rusted quarters and just looked its age but was still running and driving...I like them all but the 70 is its own unique animal.
 
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