1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340, Original Drivetrain, Automatic, Rare JF1 Pale Green.

1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340

As to myself, I am a (70) year old kid that loves muscle cars. For my work, I am retired from managing a Correctional Facility here in Maine and had worked for the Maine Department of Corrections for (40) years. I am also a respected member of my community. I mention this only because of the value of this car and so that prospective buyers will have some idea as to who they are dealing with. Also, please check out my eBay feedback that is at 100% with (1,250) transactions. Many of my transactions have been muscle/classic cars, which I have sold to individuals all over the country as well as Canada, England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Australia and the Netherlands. My reputation for honesty is well known amongst muscle car lovers.

Just some quick history on the Dodge Dart Sport:

The Dodge Dart name first appeared as a radically aerodynamic show car in 1956. It returned four years later as a new downsized regular production vehicle. Featuring utilized body construction, and riding on a 118 inch wheelbase, it was four inches shorter than Dodge’s Polara flagship and thus was Dodge’s “compact” full-size model. The Dart was available as three models: Seneca, Pioneer, and Phoenix. Engine choices included a 318 cid V8 with either a two or four barrel carb, or a 361 cid V8 with 310 bhp. All three models were available with Dodge’s D500 performance option which included the 361 cid V8 with a new ram-induction setup which featured twin four-barrels on long, individual-runner intake manifolds which had a supercharger effect. This ram setup was also used on the larger 383 cid V8s used in Polara models, and a few Ram 383s found their way into the smaller Dart.

Bowing to pressure from certain religious groups, Dodge dropped the “Demon” name from the 1971 and 1972 models and renamed its sporty 1973 compact the Dodge Dart Sport. The matte-black hood was dropped, but the other trim details continued. The Dart had a 111 inch wheelbase and torsion-bar suspension (Dart Sport was 108 inches); new features for 1973 included standard electronic ignition and an optional sliding metal sunroof on two-door models. The Dart Sport had an optional utility package providing six and one half feet of carpeted cargo area with the security panel and rear seat folded down; or a capacious (especially compared with the standard Dart) trunk with everything in the normal position. Both front and rear seats folded down (except the driver's seat). The 198 slant six was still available (except in California), along with the 225 slant six; the 318 was optional except on Dart 340 Sport, for obvious reasons.

Chrysler's new electronic ignition system was standard equipment on all engines, and starter motors were revised for faster engine cranking. The K-frame was modified to accommodate a new spool-type engine mount that limited engine roll to 3°. The upper ball joints were upgraded to the larger B-body units. Along with these chassis changes, the wheel bolt pattern on Darts with disc brakes was enlarged from 4in (101.6mm) to the 4.5in (114.3mm) pattern common to the larger B- andC-bodyChrysler-built passenger cars. Darts with 4-wheel drum brakes continued with the smaller bolt pattern. The standard rear axle was still the 7¼" unit, but the heavy-duty option was now an 8¼" item rather than the previous 8¾" rear axle. Standard rear axle ratios were 2.76:1 with automatic transmission and 3.23:1 with manual, though other ratios were available.

1973 Dodge Dart Sport and 340 Production Numbers Extrapolated:

Total 1973 Dodge Dart Sport Built: 79,428

Total 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340 Built: 11,315 or 14.25%

Total 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340 Automatics Built: 6,481 or 8.16%

Total 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340 Automatics Built With JF1 Paint (Pale Green): 324 or 5%

Please understand that these percentages are simply extrapolations and are not to be considered gospel.

And now for my wicked nice 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340 that I am selling today. Let’s face it, there are only a small number of these original 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340 cars still retaining the original H-code 340 engine as well as the original body panels and a rare paint color. Also remember, the dual hood scoops only came on the 1972 Demon and the 1973 and 1974 Dart Sport from the factory. These factory installed J54 scoops were never available for the Duster or the ’75 or ’76 Dart Sport. If those cars have one, it was added later plain and simple. Include power steering and power front disc brakes and you have a winner. Purchase my car and you will get, the “REAL DEAL.” Try to find another 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340 like this one. If they are out there, they’re just not being sold for my price.

I have lots of additional photos and a video but you will need to ask.

I know from previous experience that there is never too much information for the serious collectors. So, for all of you numbers people, this is for you.

VIN Number: LM29H3B53468

VIN Number Decode:

· L Dodge Dart

· M Medium Price Class

· 29 2-Door Sport Hardtop

· H 340 240HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL

· 3 1973 Model Year

· B Hamtramck, MI Assembly Plant

· 534681 Sequence Number (VIN)

Body Plate:

VX9 26 EN1

M21 N41 N42 N76 R11 V21

JF1 U A88 B41 G37 J54

JF1 D2X9 000 612 352078

E55 D34 LM29 H3B 534681

Body Plate Decode:

· E55 340 240HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL

· D34 Standard Duty Automatic Transmission

· LM29

§ L Dodge Dart

§ M Medium Price Class

§ 29 2-Door Sports Hardtop

· H3B

§ H 340 240HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL

§ 3 1973 Model Year

§ B Hamtramck, MI Assembly Plant

· 534681 Sequence Number (VIN)

· JF1 Pale Green Lower Body Color

· D2X9

§ D Deluxe Trim

§ 2 Vinyl Bench Seat

§ X9 Black

· 000 Full Door Panels

· 612 Tuesday June 12, 1973 Production Date

· 352078 Body Number

· JF1 Pale Green Upper Body Color

· U Built to USA Specs

· A88 Interior Décor Group

· B41 Front Disc Brakes

· G37 Left Hand Remote, Right Hand Manual Chrome Mirrors

· J54 Hood Insulating Pad

· M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings

· N41 Dual Exhaust

· N42 Chrome Exhaust Tips

· N76 Coolant Recovery System

· R11 AM Music Master radio

· V21 Performance Hood Treatment

· V9X

§ V9 Sport Stripes Hood Performance

§ X Black

· 26 26” Radiator

· END End of Codes. Assembly Line 1

Exterior: The “code JF1” Pale Green paint looks very nice but does have imperfections. The 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340 does look to have been repainted at some point but when that was done is unknown to me. I went over the entire car with a soft magnet and found only a few small areas where the magnet did not stay attached. This tells me the body is very clean and mostly rust/mud free. I have recently had a few small areas of rust cleaned up and dusted in. These areas were in the typical lower areas and none of these areas appear to have gone through the inner metal. I am quite confident that my 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340 still retains all of the original and solid body panels. All windows, with the exception of the front windshield, appear original and are in very good condition with the Pentastar etching. The white raised letter tires look very good and are mounted on new, recently purchased, 14” steel rims painted body color. These steel rims do not have dog dish caps as the nubs, I believe, are for the 10 ½” caps. I do have the “original” 14” Rally rims, original center caps and what I believe are the original trim rings. I also have the 20 lugs that are ½” x 20. All rims and center caps have the same part numbers. All rims are dated March 9, 1973. The Rally Wheels DO NOT go with the car but can be purchased separately. I have removed the ugly front and rear bumper guards, still have them and they will go with the car.

All exterior items work such as:

· Head lights (high and low);

· Tail lights;

· Plate light;

· Blinkers (front and rear);

· Wipers;

· Horn.

Interior: The interior of my 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340 appears to be in very good overall condition. Under the rear seat, as you will see in the photos, is the all original floor pans and they are also rust free. No major rips or tears in the seats, door panels, dash, package tray or headliner. All gauges are functional as well as the heater motor and dome light with the exception of the heater core which has been bypassed and needs to be replaced. For some reason, the factory in-dash temperature gauge was not working correctly. I replaced the temperature sending unit but the gauge still did not work. I decided to purchase and install an under dash temperature gauge that works correctly and confirms no overheating. The original radio has been replaced with a very nice, working aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette unit connected to a pair of quality rear speakers. (No dash cutting) The seat belts are all there, appear original and are in good working order. The final addition was a steering column mounted Sun Pro tachometer that registers the RPM’s.

Engine: What can I say about the H-Code 340ci V8 accept it is pretty much all original with the VIN number stamped on the block pad. There is a replacement Holley carburetor and non-original air cleaner. The car starts quick, idles great and runs outstanding.

Trunk; Clean and pretty much rust free. There is a nice 14” spare, bolt hold down and jack base but no actual jack assembly. There is a new trunk mat.

Undercarriage; The undercarriage is basically rust and rot free with a new exhaust system just installed to include a new set of the correct chrome exhaust tips. Just look at the photos of the undercarriage and you will see what I mean.

WINNING BIDDER DOES NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO LOOK THIS CAR OVER AFTER THE AUCTION CLOSES TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO BUY. INSPECTIONS "MUST" BE DONE PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF THE AUCTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.

Terms of Sale:

This car is sold “as-is/where is” with absolutely no warranty or guarantee expressed or implied. The information I have given is what I believe to be true, but since I haven’t owned this particular vehicle since it was new, I do not guarantee any of the information to be 100% accurate. Everyone has different opinions of things, especially automobiles. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. My description is done in as accurate a manner as possible in my opinion. If there is any particular area of this vehicle that is of concern to you, it is understood that you have satisfied yourself enough to make the purchase.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required at the close of the auction via Paypal. (If you do not have Paypal let me know through eBay ASAP.) The remainder of selling price is due within (5) business days of the auction ending. All funds must be in the form of cash, a cashier’s check, certified bank check or wire transfer. If there is no confirmation, the seller has the right to offer the vehicle to other bidders. The buyer is responsible for all transport costs. This auction and your bid/participation in this auction are binding contracts and will be dutifully and lawfully enforced.

FYI: I do not have a Maine title for this 1973 Dodge Dart Sport as Maine does not issue titles for vehicles that are more than (15) years old. I have sold cars all over the country as well as Canada, England, Switzerland, Germany and Australia and have never had a problem. The car will come with a Bill-of-Sale, the Maine Registration signed over to the new owner and a copy of the Maine law regarding titles which is on a form issued by the Maine Motor Vehicle Department

THANKS FOR READING THIS AD. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY BIDDING.