As a car enthusiast who was about when the Dart was available new, I dont remember it having a particularly good reputation as a car or being sought after. Both the TR4 and the big Healey were more popular. The Dart was aimed at the US market, hence the V8, but didnt succeed there
The problem with growing old is that we end up thinking sentimentally about cars that in their day we didnt think a lot of.
Very true the rose tinted spectacles go on I think when we reminisce.
My wife ran an MGB GT about 20 years ago and TBH I have had more fun driving a tractor than I ever did it, very over rated IMHO.