Written by Rob Wiens
After reading a few of the Dart stories on your page, I realized that
there are no stories of the beloved 1976 Dart Swinger, the final Dart
to be produced (except in Brazil). Up here in the Great White North
the climate usually warrants the use of a summer car and a winter
beater. The beater in question was my die-hard '76 Dart. Under the
hood was the bullet-proof
(although leaky) 318 with the A904 transmission and 2.45 rear end.
Frequently dipping into the -35 degree zone, the temperatures here often
relinquish many cars to their early graves. But unlike its Japanese
counterparts on the road, the Dart plowed through the snow and the cold.
Showing its 185,000 miles on the clock, my car, whom I considered a good
friend, started on the coldest of mornings, trudged over the pothole-ridden
roads Winnipeg is known for, and sat all day at the University. Up here we
plug in what are known as block heaters to warm the coolant and allow
easier cold-weather starting. But as was often the case, I never plugged in
my Dart. It started every time, and warmed up to the point where I was
roasting marshmallows over the defroster. I pitied the poor Honda owners
while I was giving them a boost.
But as with every good Dart, the rear quarters and trunk succumbed to the
cancerous rust which often claims many Chrysler Products. (If you Chrysler
designers are reading this, why the hell didn't you close in the rear wheel
wells anyway?) Unfortunately the car had to be scrapped. But as with every
good Dart story, there's a happy ending. The radiator, axle, rally wheels, side
mirror, and gas tank have all found a new home in my '68 Cuda rag top. The
engine, transmission, tires, and brakes have found their way into my '73
Satellite. I encourage all Dart owners to reuse and recycle the parts they
have, for that is one of the greatest attributes of owning one of these
great cars.
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