My New Find
 

I just wanted to share with you fellows my new Find!I had ran across a original 1969 Dodge Dart 340 Swinger about 12 years ago setting on a showroom Floor of a local Dodge dealership.I stopped in to ask about the car to see if it was for sale.The Gentleman I spoke with told me no it was just on display,said it was his first car and he drove it to high School and would never sell it.Well to make a long story short His Dad is selling the Dealership after 54 years in business,the son has no where to keep the car so he decided to let it go to a new home.It is coming to my home!It has 47000 original miles,originally a 340 with 4 speed but was converted to an auto in 1971.The owner raced it in 1972 - 1985 off and on locally in SS/I in NHRA sanctioned races.Car has all original interior that is perfect except for one small tear in the backseat,all rubber on car is all original except for the tires,and all is in excellent shape,all glass is perfect,All chrome is original and never replated and is in excellent shape,all original gauges work,factory radio,and antenna delete.Car only has a heater! The owner installed Super Stock springs,sox and Martin adjustable pinion snubber.It has headers and auto in the floor.It is going to go well setting next to the 67 SS Chevelle.Underside of car is like new.Car was not driven on the street or track for 20 years.It stayed in an extra building at the dealership in the back,it was cranked and driven on the dealership property only.Was alternated between the showroom and the building it was housed in for many years.Car is not immaculate but is SUPER NICE!I will try to get my soninlaw to take a couple of pictures of it and get them posted if interested.We were cleaning on it today and changing some thing up to our satisfaction.I am really excited abou tthe car.I have wanted a nice 69 Swinger for many years and I am glad I ran across this one.It is Black on Black with rear white stripe.It has been painted before and the paint is pretty nice.Should have a couple of pics soon for those that like the old dodges. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Thanks

Bobby Dodson

Re: My New Find
 

Bobby, cool car! Here is a web page for the Swinger 340 if you have not seen it already, it includes the picture below:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/f.bevil/home.html

http://www3.sympatico.ca/f.bevil/JimsSwinger340Re.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif - Sam

Re: My New Find
 

That is too https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif--Hope you got some photos at the Dodge Dealership---Very https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif period car------------

Re: My New Find
 

congrats..very cool car!...when set up right those 340 cars are wicked fast... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: My New Find
 

Very cool Bobby! Post them pics! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: My New Find
 

I will get some pics up soon,it is raining like cats and dogs here today.Going back to the dealership and talk more with the owner Monday.He was not there when I bought the car Friday.I had to deal with his Dad,nice older fellow but hard to deal with.He was not budging on the price of the car not one penny!Once I had inspected it up on the rack etc.I just went ahead and paid his price,which was very reasonable I thought.But it don't hurt to ask for a little better deal!LOL I guess that after being in the car business 54 years he knew he had me hooked like a big ole fat fish.I hope his son may have some of the original parts and papers on the car.Some old photos or something.I going to drive my Chevelle and once he sees it he will know the Swinger went to a good home and may be willing to dig around a little more.Heck I may even take him for a ride and buy him lunch.Will be back soon with some pictures.Of course I will have to e mail them for someone to post on the site.Still trying to learn how to operate the computers,My daughter is trying to teach me but She says I am too old for new tricks! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Bobby Dodson

Re: My New Find
 

Nice Swingers and Demons are pretty tough to find !!! Try finding a Mr Norms GSS Dart !!!

Re: My New Find
 

The car in the pick is a '70. The '69s are much different looking. What color is the car?

Re: My New Find
 

I went back today and talked with the owner Mike Cessna of Cessna Motors of Cleveland Texas.He had some good stories.The car is black on black and was that way originally,But it also came with a GREEN VINYL top with paisley flowers,he said his Dad ordered it that way,and it was BUTT UGLY!He said that he immediately removed the vinyl top and painted the top black.The car was sold new to a James Lewis,then repossed by the dealer.Mike told me that he had a Hemi Charger,and that one night he was racing a GTO Judge and the police started chasing him.He said the Judge stopped but the police kept after him,he said that they finally caught him but theu blew the engines on 3 police cars trying to catch him.Of course he said he went directly to jail where his Dad had to bail him out.His Dad took the Hemi away from him and gave hime the 69 Swinger as punishment,he said it was either the Swinger or walking or riding the school bus.Mike said he hated that car and did his best to blow it up so his Dad would give him something else,he said it would not blow up!He said he will look for anything on the car to see if he can find something but said he did not think he had anything.There was a book at one time and it contained a lot of pictures etc but that someone took it out of the car and he has not seen it in years.They did keep records at the dealership but mikes Dad said he did not know where to even start looking!So I may not get anything.I do have the original 1969 title sold to James Lewis,title date issued is 07/18/69,date of lein where it was financed through Chrysler Credit and Cessna Motors is 06/06/69 On the rear of the title the lein was released by Chrysler Credit on 11/27/70.Mike did tell me he would file for another title so I could keep the original.He was pretty impressed with my 67 Chevelle and knows the Swinger went to a good home and will be well cared for.The Car has been repainted some years ago and has a few blemishes here and there but is a really nice driver with the exception of the rear gear.I believe it is a 4:56.The other 69 Swinger I have has a 3:55 I believe so I a going to probably swap Chunks.The blue 69 Swinger I have is all lader bar rear suspension and I am going to let my soninlaw race it at the track to have some fun.Should have some pictures by weeks end for you to see.

Bobby Dodson

Re: My New Find
 

You should be able to document via the fender tag that the car had that wierd vinyl top. It was called the "Mod-Top" option and is probably one of the rarest trim options there is. There was also a matching interior option in the same fabric. You could have a one-of-one car. Now the impossible part would be trying to find that vinyl top material!

Re: My New Find
 

Here are some figures for Mod tops...


1969 Model Year
VIN Model Mod Tops Produced
RH23 Satellite 1,637
BH23 Barracuda 937
LL23 Swinger hardtop 48
LM23 Swinger 340 50
LH23 Dart Custom 25
LP23 Dart GT hardtop 14
LS23 Dart GTS hardtop 16
WM21 Super Bee coupe 8
WM23 Super Bee hardtop 18
WH23 Coronet 440 hardtop 39

Here's what the top would have looked like

http://andy440.com/modtop.jpg


Information taken from HERE-A ModTop Registry

Re: My New Find
 

I guess you had to be there in those times to understand but they were pretty cool.

Re: My New Find
 

Hey, Steve, nice Camaro in the mag! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

The paisley vinyl top technically is not called the Mod Top - that was Plymouth's name.

I also think these cars were supposed to be F6 green only. The original poster said the car was black. I see three scenarios:

1) Car isn't a paisley top car

2) It's really not black

3) Perhaps the top WAS available in other colors (after all, black matches everything!), the info I have seen had subsequent running changes, or it's a special-ordered car!

Re: My New Find
 

From what I understand...if it has LM23 on the fender tag...it's a mod top car. There are pictures of other mod top colors and top color choices if you click on the hyperlink to the registry.

This should be fairly easy to prove/disapprove as far as mod top option...just look at the fender tag!? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: My New Find
 

The fender tag is in place on the car and I will look at that today.I have to go shopping for a new TV ours has some really weird colors on it now.That top on that green Superbee looks OK.I just could not picture it being on a black car!I remember the FLOWER days and I wish they were still around. LOL I remember all the FUN I had back then,those days were a blast.If I tried doing some of those things now I would be on AMERICAS MOST WANTED on Saturday nights!Here is the trim tag info!I couldnt't wait to see if it had that LM23 Cade!I tried to spce everything just as they are on the tag.

R11 V1H V8W END
X9 D2X X9 507 246729
E55 D21 LM23 P98 369903

I guess Mike Cessna was not kidding about that top,I am also going to go through the Chrysler Historical society to see what they may have on the car,has anyone on the site ever gone through them,I know most of you do not mess with old Dodges but maybe has a friend or someone they know has done that before.Just wondering what type of information to expect if anything.My soninlay pulled the top of the back seat out to see if there was a build sheet,we didnt see anything but we did not pull the bottom up to look there.Actually the vinyl in the back seat area is pretty hard and easily torn so I have to be careful with it.I can see a new seat cover for the rear in the future!Anyone know where they put build sheets in the Dodges.My other 69 Swinger has all the original interior also except for the front seat and I have not located a sheet on it,I have had someone tell me they put them in the headliners,anyone know this to be true or false,I hate to rip the headliner out for no reason.Although the headliner on the Black Swinger that I just bought is going to have to be replaced due to a RAT got a hold of it right above the passenger sunvisor and eat about a 6" hole in it there!I guess he just sat on the sunvisor and eat until he was full!

Bobby Dodson

Re: My New Find
 

[ QUOTE ]
From what I understand...if it has LM23 on the fender tag...it's a mod top car.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your understanding is incorrect. That's the model number. L is probably Dart, and M is medium price class. I can only venture to guess that this is a Swinger. 23 is the bodystyle, which means hardtop

[ QUOTE ]

There are pictures of other mod top colors and top color choices if you click on the hyperlink to the registry.


[/ QUOTE ]

But those color options were for Plymouths, not Dodges. Besides, colors were limited with the tops. In this car's case, the vinyl top is coded V1H, with the "H" stating the color. I don't know what H stands for.

Re: My New Find
 

Update: V1H is a paisley top. So this looks like a 340 Swinger with this top!!! Now I wonder about the paint color - were they normally restricted to F6 cars and this is a special-ordered one? Or were they available in other, matching, colors?

Re: My New Find
 

Thanks for the correction about the LM23 number...I don't really understand decoding of Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouths! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/blush.gif


There is a swinger on the site with the V1H code and it shows the green flowery top...so if V1H is on his tag...then it is one of these cars....right?

This was taken from the Modtop registry... [ QUOTE ]
Here is the information on the fender tag:

END
A46 M21 M25 R11 V1H V8X
F6 D2X X9 430 134700
E55 D21 LM23 P9B XXXXXX


END = end of codes
A46 = Moulding Package (includes upper door frame, drip rail, grille surround, wheel lip and deck lid lower mouldings); M21 = Drip Rail moldings (these go above your side windows, along the edge of the roofline); M25 = Body sill mouldings; R11 = AM radio; <u>V1H</u> = Green floral vinyl top (this color only available on Darts/Coronets); V8X = Transverse tape sport stripe;

F6 = Bright Green Metallic exterior paint; D2X = Deluxe Black vinyl bench seats; X9 = black Interior paint (console, instrument panel), and black carpet; 430 = April 30, 1969 build date; 134700 = order number

E55 = 340, 4bbl, 275 hp; D21 = A833 4-speed floor shift transmission ; LM = Dodge, Medium class ; 23 = 2 door hardtop; P = 340 engine; 9 = 1969 model year; B = built at Hamtramck, MI (a 'burb of Detroit); XXXXXX = sequence number. They start at 100000, and all the cars built on that line get a number.

Answers to the Mod Registry questions:


Engine that came with the car orginally? - 340
Engine in the car now - 340
Tranny that came orginally? - A833 4 SPD
Tranny in the car now? - A833 4 SPD
Original Exterior color? - F6 BRIGHT GREEN METALLIC
Exterior color now? - : F6 BRIGHT GREEN METALLIC
Interior color - BLACK BENCH D2X BLACK

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: My New Find
 

[ QUOTE ]
The fender tag is in place on the car and I will look at that today.I have to go shopping for a new TV ours has some really weird colors on it now.That top on that green Superbee looks OK.I just could not picture it being on a black car!I remember the FLOWER days and I wish they were still around. LOL I remember all the FUN I had back then,those days were a blast.If I tried doing some of those things now I would be on AMERICAS MOST WANTED on Saturday nights!Here is the trim tag info!I couldnt't wait to see if it had that LM23 Cade!I tried to spce everything just as they are on the tag.

R11 V1H V8W END
X9 D2X X9 507 246729
E55 D21 LM23 P98 369903

I guess Mike Cessna was not kidding about that top,I am also going to go through the Chrysler Historical society to see what they may have on the car,has anyone on the site ever gone through them,I know most of you do not mess with old Dodges but maybe has a friend or someone they know has done that before.Just wondering what type of information to expect if anything.My soninlay pulled the top of the back seat out to see if there was a build sheet,we didnt see anything but we did not pull the bottom up to look there.Actually the vinyl in the back seat area is pretty hard and easily torn so I have to be careful with it.I can see a new seat cover for the rear in the future!Anyone know where they put build sheets in the Dodges.My other 69 Swinger has all the original interior also except for the front seat and I have not located a sheet on it,I have had someone tell me they put them in the headliners,anyone know this to be true or false,I hate to rip the headliner out for no reason.Although the headliner on the Black Swinger that I just bought is going to have to be replaced due to a RAT got a hold of it right above the passenger sunvisor and eat about a 6" hole in it there!I guess he just sat on the sunvisor and eat until he was full!

Bobby Dodson

[/ QUOTE ]

X9 is the paint code for black.

Re: My New Find
 

[ QUOTE ]
Now I wonder about the paint color - were they normally restricted to F6 cars and this is a special-ordered one? Or were they available in other, matching, colors?

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.mooresmopars.com/images/j...al-closeup.jpg

Congrats Bobby! Looks like your car is fairly rare!
Click HERE for another Swinger Mod Top!

I believe you can register your car at this site...and they may have a source for the vinyl top material HERE if you choose to put the top back on.

Most of all...have fun with the car... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: My New Find
 

[ QUOTE ]
The car in the pick is a '70. The '69s are much different looking. What color is the car?

[/ QUOTE ]

Oops! Missed that..here is the 69 -

http://www3.sympatico.ca/f.bevil/69Swinger340ad.jpg

Re: My New Find
 

And here's one with a mod top...

http://www.mooresmopars.com/Mod-Swin...1-sideview.jpg

Re: My New Find
 

Awesome Sam!
I love those Mfr. advertising Hi-perf club slogans back then too,with their Colorful Vibrant &amp; bold Campaign schemes.
Dodge Scat Pack,Chevy Sports Department,..etc. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: My New Find
 

Thanks for all the information guys I really appreciate it.When it comes to finding out something about cars you guys are the most!Just got back a little bit ago from shopping for a new TV.I am so tired of looking at them I don't even want to watch TV tonight.I am going to try to get my soninlaw to come by asap to take pics so I can show you guys the car.I will have him go ahead a shoot a couple of the 69 Swinger that we are going to race,and a couple of the 67 Chevelle SS that is my version of a NICKEY CHEVELLE!It is a replica,clone or what ever you want to call it but it sure is fun to drive.

Bobby Dodson

Re: My New Find
 

Hi, Bruce, the color info you've given are for Plymouths. Dodge often worked in competition with Plymouth, so it's not unusual for things to be analogous. The top color is different, so the cars will be trimmed differently.

Re: My New Find
 

Thanks 442...was just trying to help out... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: My New Find
 

Very cool Bobby! Congrats! Callme crazy but I really dig the Mod Tops. The first time I ever saw one was at the Hot Rod Power Tour this summer.https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: My New Find
 

There is a 70 fury around here with a paisley top and its not the same as the mod top material. Its a goldish black with paisley designs in it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif I think we are getting mixed up.

Re: My New Find
 

The paisley top was a part of the Fury Gran Coupe. It's not in the same league as the Mod Top or the one on the Dodge (my friend corrected me and it's called the "Floral Top").

Re: My New Find
 

well what ever you decide to call it..I am with Frank I like it...Bobby find some NOS material and get it back on the car..very cool stuff!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: My New Find
 

Bruce
That Mod Top looks like my Grandmothers Shower Cap. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Re: My New Find
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: My New Find
 

Bobby sent me these to post....cool car...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...heels/bob6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...heels/bob5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...heels/bob3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...heels/bob2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...heels/bob1.jpg

Re: My New Find
 

Man I just love those Darts! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: My New Find
 

Way cool car Bobby! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: My New Find
 

Thanks guys,I will get some better pictures,the sun was not out and it was getting late.I really like the car,hard to believe I wanted this car 12 years ago and never thought there would ever be the day it would be mine.sure glad he decided to sell it because I will take really good care of her.Already making a couple of plans for her.Not going to make a lot of changes just spiffy her up a little,Probably have the paint stripped off and a nice paint job put on in a couple of years but not in a hurry.Will have some better pics in a few days I hope and will have one of the fender tag,trunk area etc.

Bobby Dodson

Re: My New Find
 

That car is totally cool! I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

I hate Rallyes on those cars, though . . . https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif

Re: My New Find
 

That's one Very https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gifcar---Enjoy your good fortune https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: My New Find
 

Tough looking Dart! Are those BF Goodrich "Belted" T/A's on it? I haven't seen those tires in a long time.
In the 1980's, my friend Larry had a 1969 340 Dart. It had a 727 tranny and a 8 3/4" rear with 3:91's. The car was extremely fast! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: My New Find
 

Yes they are T/A radials,I hate to say it but I believe the Dart will outrun my big block Chevelle!I haven't lined them up yet but I can see it coming.Only thing is I want to win but I don't let anyone else drive my chevelle hard but ME! So I will be driving the Chevelle and let my Soninlaw drive the Dart.Should be interesting.Maybe he will feel sorry for me.LOL

Bobby Dodson