World's Rarest 1970 Dodge Dart Is a Super Swinger Automatic Rotting Away in a Backyard

Although it's not as celebrated as other Mopar nameplates from the era, the Dart spawned a few desirable performance cars over the years. While the full-size model wasn't particularly impressive in this department, the 1962 midsize version got the 413-cubic-inch (6.8-liter) Max Wedge V8. It was the very first Dodge fitted with the said mill, and only 55 were made.

The third-gen Dart (1963-1966) was rather lackluster beyond a 273-cubic-inch (4.5-liter) V8 rated at 235 horsepower, but things changed with the arrival of the fourth-generation car in 1967. Sporting a more aggressive design aimed at the entry-level muscle car market, the nameplate got a GTS model with a high-output 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8.

1968 brought two of the rarest and most desirable iterations of the Dart. The first one was the LO23, a drag-ready version fitted with the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8. Developed and assembled with help from Hurst Performance, the HEMI Dart saw daylight in 1968 units. The limited-edition model did not return beyond 1968, which makes it a one-year gem.

While Dodge was busy putting together the drag-spec Dart, Norman Kraus of Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago dropped the even bigger 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB in the compact. The dealership sold about 50 440-swapped Darts in 1968. They all got "GSS" badges for Grand Spaulding Sport.

Mr. Norm's limited run eventually inspired Dodge to release its own 440 edition based on the GTS. It arrived in 1969 and went into the history books as a one-year wonder. Only 640 cars were made, all engineered by Mr. Norm and assembled by Hurst.

All told, there are four high-profile Darts that Mopar collectors are chasing to throw big bucks at nowadays. And this is how they rank from rarest and most valuable to the most common: 1968 Mr. Norm's GSS, 1963 Max Wedge, 1968 HEMI LO23, and 1969 GTS 440. Not surprisingly, all four emerged during the golden muscle car.

Like most Mopars, the Dart lost its high-performance engines when the Malaise Era settled it. However, the legacy of limited-edition Darts did not end with the GTS 440. In 1971, Dodge made a unique version of the compact for the Chicagoland Dodge network. It's called the SSA, which is short for Super Swinger Automatic.

It wasn't available with any special V8 engine, but it's rarer than all the aforementioned high-performance gems. In fact, this car is so rare that only a few of them are still known to exist. And most Mopar enthusiasts haven't even heard about it.

There are no records on how many Dart SSA cars were built, but we know that Dodge introduced the regional model in 1970 and kept it in showrooms through 1972. The derelict example you see here is one of the early 1970 cars. Discovered and documented by YouTube's "Auto Archaeology," it's one of only two or three still known to exist.

What makes it special compared to the regular Swinger? Well, the SSA package is mostly about graphics, as the Chicago special got unique pin striping on the sides and the trunk lid. The paint on this blue car is too far gone to see the side stripes, but some of the graphics (including the S/SA roundel) are still visible on the upper trunk lid. You'll also notice traces of "SSA" badges on the rear fenders.

Aside from that, the Dart SSA was also shipped with a Rallye dashboard, wheels, and an automatic transmission. The latter was included at no additional cost, which made the SSA almost 6% more affordable than an identically-equipped Dart outside the Chicago area. The bundle also included air conditioning, power steering, radio, and undercoating.

As for power, the SSA was available with any engine, be it an inline-six or a V8. The SSA you see here was based on the range-topping Swinger 340, so it came with both the 340-cubic-inch V8 rated at 275 horsepower and the dual-scoop hood.

Is it as valuable and desirable as a Mr. Norm's or a HEMI? Definitely not! But it's decidedly rarer than both and the scarcest Dart sold during the 1970 model year. Granted, it's probably not worth much in its current condition, but our host says the owner plans to restore it soon. And that's the best news you can hear about a classic Mopar. Moreover, the owner still has the original engine and the build sheet.

For now, the SSA is sitting in a field of fourth-generation Darts next to a handful of 1969 models. The stash also includes a couple of Swingers and a pair of GTS models. One of them is a big-block car with a 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8. Check them all out in the video below.