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In 1974, Chrysler advertised the Dart Dozen, although Darts were really still only available in 4 flavors: the Dart Sport 360 or Dart Sport (a Plymouth Duster with a Dart front end), the Dart Swinger or Swinger Special, the Dart Custom, and the Dart sedan. Styling changes were limited; the only major difference is the location of the taillights, which moved from the rear bumper back up into the body of the car. The last Dart that had body-mounted taillights was the 69. The only other significant change was that the performance Darts were now blessed with the 360 V-8; last year's Darts had to make do with the 340.

1974 Dodge Dart At A Glance Dart Sport 360 Performance model 2-door only 360 V-8 4-speed manual with Rallye Package; 3-speed manual on floor; 3-speed automatic Rallye package includes upgraded suspension, E70x14 tires, Rallye wheels, Tuff steering wheel, dual exhaust Distinguishing marks: 360 stripe runs body to back window and then scoops up over roof, somewhat like the Torino; Dart 360 logos on fenders Fold-down rear seat available, making this what Chrysler calls a convertriple Purists would call this a Plymouth Duster with a Dart front end, and they would be right Dart Sport Tamer performance model 2-door only 318 V-8; 225 or 198 Slant-6 4-speed manual (with 318 only, in Rallye Package); column-shift 3-speed manual or 3-speed automatic Optional Rallye package includes upgraded suspension, E70x14 tires, Rallye wheels, Tuff steering wheel, dual exhaust Distinguishing marks: stripe runs body to back window and then scoops up over roof, somewhat like the Torino; Dart Sport logos on fenders Fold-down rear seat available, making this what Chrysler calls a convertriple Purists would call this a Plymouth Duster with a Dart front end, and they would be right Dart Swinger Higher-range model 2-door only 318 V-8; 225 or 198 Slant-6 Column-shift 3-speed manual or 3-speed automatic More standard features, such as carpeting, wood-grained dash, drip mouldings, 3-spoke wheel Distinguishing marks: Swinger logo on front fenders Dart Swinger Special The Swinger Special model was designed for tighter budgets 2-door only 318 V-8; 225 or 198 Slant-6 Column-shift 3-speed manual or 3-speed automatic Limited standard features Distinguishing marks: Swinger logo on front fenders Dart Custom Lower trim level 4-door only 318 V-8; 225 or 198 Slant-6 Column-shift 3-speed manual or 3-speed automatic Limited standard features Dart Sedan Lowest trim level 4-door only 318 V-8; 225 or 198 Slant-6 Column-shift 3-speed manual or 3-speed automatic Limited standard features Dartography: How To Spot Em The most striking change for 74 was the placement of the taillights; we are now back to body-mounted taillights, which we haven't seen since the 69 model. In 1974, domestic automakers began experimenting with the one-piece seat/shoulder belts which we now use today. Note that, unlike the 73 models, the shoulder and lap belts are a single integrated unit, which hang down from a roof-mounted stirrup. Safety Equipment The integration of the lap & shoulder belts was both a step backward and a step forward. The good news is that this was the first step toward the 1-piece safety harnesses we use today; it is much more convenient to buckle a single 3-point belt. The bad news is that the seat belt retractors on these early models often were cranky and did not retract, seriously compromising the effectiveness of the restraints. What Changed Since Previous Year The Dart Sport 340 became the Dart Sport 360. There is a new Dart Sport Rallye, based on the Dart Sport. Taillights are now body-mounted. Bolt-and-a-belt seat belts are gone forever, replaced by seatbelts housed in retractors.

The Coolest Car Detroit Ever Built: The Dodge Dart 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 Home