5k: Surprisingly Cheap Survivor: 1966 Dodge Dart Wagon
Last week someone in Sweden picked up Betsy’s Pony for a bargain price of $8700. We at the DT headquarters really thought the 1966 Mustang would have commanded a much higher premium given its life story…but we are big fans of affordable motoring and the sale price was certainly affordable. Regardless, if you missed the boat (literally) on that one, here is another un-restored, one-family owned classic being sold for a very fair price. Find this 1966 Dodge Dart Wagon in Berkeley, CA on craigslist for the asking price of $2900. Thanks for tip from DT regular and SF bay area California Czar of Cool Cars…Kaibeezy T!
The Dodge Dart is a uniquely cool car. It was born in 1960 as a full size, but by 1963 was a compact and was canceled in 1976 before the ever tightening smog laws and impact standards created something unworthy of the Dart name. The name has recently been revived for the USDM version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in a still extremely hip front drive package. Somehow the Dart was able to avoid the Malaise Era curse and come out the other side reincarnated in a new body.
This Dart was born in 1966 with a 273 cubic inch (4.5 liter) V8 that puts out 180 horsepower and 260 ft-lbs of torque. Mated the a 3 speed automatic won’t make for performance driving, but it will be great for hauling lumber and kids.
The seller only includes two pictures in his ad, but he does a very thorough walk-around the vehicle in this youtube video. The car originally belonged to his father, who has recently passed away, and now he is selling it as a survivor, un-restored original, that does need some cosmetic attention.
The rear and passenger side have seen the most damage, but the car does run and drive, so it isn’t some total basket case. All-in-all the asking price of $2900 is very fair given the intact headliner, and running condition. Throw a $3k paint job on this wagon and you’ve got a very nice $6k Dart wagon.
See a better project wagon? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
Watch the video of "this thing", its a classic walkaround. Throw a surfboard in the back, and drive to the beach on weekends for less than $3K before its off to Sweden!
Or you could take up to Podunk Raceway for the demolition derby. Those guys love wagons. You can back into the front of an opponent, bust his radiator and put him out of the derby and not do too much damage to your rig.
DemoDerby's have been the fate of most of the previously uncrushed GM Clamshell wagons of 1971-1976.