You guys might remember that Mark provided us with the great pics from the 2013 Mopars in the Park. And also the pics from the Junkyard in Turlock, California. Well, Mark also has a very cool ’71 Dart Swinger project that he’s been working on for several years now. Here’s the word from Mark:

This is what it had when I bought it:
engine: 318
trans: Torqueflite 904
rear: 7.25″ one legger
color: GY3 (Citron Yella/Curious Yellow) this color was used by Mopar ONLY in 1971, less than 3% of the Dodge Darts made for ’71 were painted this color.

I immediately started tearing into it.. quickly finding that the previous owner thought it would be a good idea to use power steering fluid in the brake master cylinder (d’oh!), so I knew the entire brake system would need an overhaul.

Read the rest from Mark and see all the pics after the jump!

Replaced rear end with a 8.75″ rear end with Sure-Grip (clutch-type) limited slip with 3.55 gears
Upgraded axles to Yukon axles with big bolt pattern
Swapped front disc brakes to big bolt pattern brakes from a later year Mopar
Replaced all brake lines and added power brake booster and MC/prop valve
Front suspension rebuilt with PST parts
Swapped 318 for a new 360, added a Comp Cam XE268 cam (hydraulic lifters), Edelbrock Performer intake and Edelbrock Performer 650cfm carb, headers, Pertronix ignition with MSD 6AL
Had trans rebuilt with reverse manual Griner valve body, koleans steels, kevlar bands, upgraded clutchpacks, low 1st gear, and mild torque converter
Swapped power steering for manual steering to make room for headers
Changed from column shift to floor shift (and swapped out column), using a B&M Quicksilver shifter
Removed all glass from car, as well as all removable body panels.. stripped paint to bare metal in all jambs (including inside trunk and engine compartment), etch-primed, primed and painted
Body/paint work started – quarters, roof, decklid stripped, straightened and primed (just a few minor dings), fenders stripped and etch primed.
Interior stripped
Replaced wiring in entire car front to back with EZ Wiring kit
Aftermarket gauge cluster custom-fitted with Autometer gauges

It sat for a few years with very little progress being made because I was in over my head and saw no light at the end of the tunnel. I did almost all the work myself up to that point, but realized I needed help. I worked with a local guy to get the exterior of the car finished and painted, this was completed in May of 2012.

This year, I took it to a local Muscle Car builder to have them finish up the rest of it for me..
So far – they’ve done:
Headliner install
Vinyl top install
Stainless trim polishing and reinstall
Heater core install and heater control hookup
refinish dash
weatherstrip replacement, door alignment, window adjustment and alignment
fixed a major oil leak
door panel dying and install
rear package tray custom made, with aftermarket 6×9 speakers and a new head unit for tunes

Still left to do:
Exhaust system install
Trans fluid leak
windshield/backglass install and reveal molding install
rear seat recovering
Colorsand/polish paint

So – it’s getting VERY close to being done!!!