Michael Accardi 
This Dodge Dart Swinger 340 Concept muscle car debuted at the 1969 Chicago Auto Show as a preview of the upcoming Dodge Dart Swinger that would debut shortly after as a production-level trim for the popular Dart.
Originally built by the Detroit-based Alexander Brothers, the concept is a heavily modified 1969 Dodge Dart that would first appear in public at the 1969 Chicago Auto Show. The roof was chopped and the front fascia was reworked to include a pair of square Cibie headlights in place of the round production lamps. The foglights were moved to the center of the grille as well, while the rear received a restyle reminiscent of the 1969 Dodge Charger, including the black ‘scat stripe’ and flip-top fuel cap.
Dodge spec’d other modifications including frameless side windows and recessed door handles, Ansen Spirit slot mags wrapped in white letter Goodyear Polyglas rubber, a faux three-hole intake scoop, hood hold-down pins, and a molded rear spoiler complete the drag-ready look. The concept car was finished in a candy-tone Maroon Metallic finish.
The production Dodge Dart Swinger would debut later the same year as an economy muscle car. The Dart Swinger 340 concept uses the same driveline that would feature in the production car; pairing a 340 cubic-inch V8 crowned by a 4-barrel carburetor with a 4-speed manual transmission. The car also featured power steering and power brakes.
Inside, the Dodge Dart Swinger 340 concept is mostly stock. The black bucket-seat interior and standard dash layout are complemented by the factory Hurst shifter and a radio-delete plate. Playing up the car’s ‘display only’ provenance the windshield-wash reservoir is capped off and there are no wipers.
These highly visible concepts were often dreamed up primarily with the idea of proposing or radically modifying a new or future model, after a short stint in the spotlight these show cars were often shuffled into storage or even destroyed after their event duties were over.
It’s a rare treat the Dodge Dart Swinger 340 concept survived all this time, and it can be yours to enjoy for years to come if you have the $130,000 to $150,000 it’s expected to fetch at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction when it crosses the block this coming weekend.
