Joined: Sat Dec 10 2005, 04:28PM
Location: United States
Posts: 4954
Ohhh Baby. . .You're smokin!
68 to 72 actually
DART! 68-72, 6 Cylinder (198 or 225) and an automatic trans. In that catagory, the article says the base line was by far the best. followed by the power steering option and then A/C. It mentioned, new engine problems started to occure because of the Cat Converters in late 73.
Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 12:39AM
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 516
BUT, the Dart was STILL a derivative of the Valiant...true, it had a longer wheel-base...and it DID have almost every engine offered by Chrysler Corp. (slant six, small block V8, Big block V8, including 426 Hemi for 1968, race only)...and the Cat converters didn't come online until 1975, per Fed Mandate.
I have to admit I LOVE the lines and grille styling of the '68 Dart...and I'm kinda partial to the '72, as my grandma bought on new as her FIRST car, ....after she died, my father "gave" it to my younger bro for his 16th b-day.
Green on green w/ a 225 slant six, ps, auto, and that was about it!
Joined: Sun Feb 05 2006, 11:51PM
Location: Pa
Posts: 3064
I go by what I still see on the roads, and that would make the late eighties Fifth Avenues the most reliable. You don't see many Dippy's left or LeBaron's, but Fifth Ave's still keep runnin'.....plus they are plush enough to keep them from becoming throwaway cars
Joined: Mon Oct 31 2005, 12:48PM
Location: Bakersfield, California
Posts: 1755
Steve, I started to head towards the Dart, or else the '64 Turbine!
I would argue, however, that the Darts in question all had the slant six. That is the only motor ever buily that was designed to run without oil in the crankcase. So, any car with that motor, in the numbers that the Darts (and Valiants) had was going to put up great numbers. On that, I did try to buy one in the late 70's, but the guy wouldn't budge on his price - of $1,500!
As for the Fifth Avenues, good call! They are still seen in great numbers, and the fact that Chrysler extended them five times after making a decision to cancel them says something about their selling power.
I owned an '84 - nice car. I got 20 MPG even when towing my Coleman Williansburg trailer. We received some interesting looks when pulling into some camp grounds! But, we rode in great comfort!
Joined: Sun Feb 05 2006, 11:51PM
Location: Pa
Posts: 3064
[quote]
As for the Fifth Avenues, good call! They are still seen in great numbers, and the fact that Chrysler extended them five times after making a decision to cancel them says something about their selling power
Right on Snot... I forgot to mention that I haven't seen many in scrapyards either....which is bad when ya need parts!
Joined: Mon Oct 31 2005, 12:48PM
Location: Bakersfield, California
Posts: 1755
Bob, the same can be said for the Dodge Status. Every time my wife breaks that stupid clip for the visor, I hit the yards to find one instead of spending another 12 bucks!
Today, her car has two clips in it that came from a Neon! I just can't find the Stratus body, nor a Cirrus or Breeze, in junkyards. I hope that's a good sign.
Joined: Sun Feb 05 2006, 11:51PM
Location: Pa
Posts: 3064
Hey Snot- the Neon clips (2000) which I have already replaced (!) were the least expensive dealer part I ever bought - cost $ 2 each and the parts guy handed them to me for free! Guess it wasn't worth makin a receipt....
(BTW sorry to Steve fer hijackin his thread )
Hey- I'll add that the 70's to 80's full size Dodge vans were omnipresent, until the new regime decided to pull the plug.....how many millions of miles did they travel across this land? there - consider this an un-hijacking
