![]() They rode on a shorter wheelbase, and had unique sheet metal and trim.ĭodge made five different body styles: A four-door sedan, two-door sedan (post), two-door hard top (no post), convertible and a station wagon. ![]() Plymouth Valiants of the same years are similar, but have some differences. They remain an affordable choice for restoration when looking at 1960s Mopars. With minor upgrades, they can handle just as well as a new car. Their size makes them fun to drive and also delivers surprising fuel economy. When compared to other compacts of the era, they offer a high level of class (especially the GT models). These early models are more regal and sophisticated than those of the brash muscle years, with which they share underpinnings with the later cars. see the full version of this articleįor 1963, the Dodge Dart name was moved over, replacing Lancer on Dodge’s version of the new Valiant - a car Dodge should never have had, given their market niche.Hot tappet lash could be set with the manifold installed - an important servicing advantage.ġ960-62 Dodge Darts at - more information and photos 1963-1966 Dodge Dart Buyer’s Guideīy David Belau The aluminum intake manifold was a new, one-piece, short (15-inch) ram tube which fit between the rocker covers and acted as a tappet chamber cover. In 1961 it dropped to 167,678 in 1962, down to 148,356, and considering the styling, that was a good number.įor 1962, Dart had powerful (up to 375 hp) optional 413 cubic inch V8 engines (except in the wagons). sales in 1960, but not 1961 or 1962 but the first year’s 306,603 cars was hard to beat. The 1960 Dart was a big success, but it would quickly fall. Options included power locks (vacuum powered), hazard flashers, and a rear speaker for the solid state radio. Patterson called "the greatest stepįorward in automobile body building since Dodge introduced all-steel bodies." The car also featured Chrysler’s torsion-bar suspension, a system then used mainly by luxury cars, but standard across the Dodge and Plymouth lines.ĭetails on the 1960 Dodge models, Torsion-Aire, and unibody construction at įor 1961, the slant six was retuned somewhat, and numerous V-8 engines were offered, culminating with a 330-horsepower V-8 with special ram induction The slant six used the new TorqueFlite transmission an alternator, then revolutionary, was available as an option, as it was on the Valiant.Įvery Dart had unibody construction, which Dodge general manager M.C. New rubber block and heavy coil spring engine mountings used on all 1960 Dodge enginesĪchieved the largest reduction of engine vibrations since Dodge first introduced V-8s. Three engines were available: the brand new 225 cubic inch slant six, the 318 cubic inch Red Ram V8, and a four-barrel 318 the 383-cubic-inch D-500 engine with ram manifolding was available as “specialĮquipment.” 383 Darts were terrors of the track, between their potent engine and light weight. Styling resembled other Dodges, but with a grille that featured vertical bars thatĬurved down and forward from the hood. The Dart was quite successful, with 400,000 sold over three years, as customers flocked to a more affordable Dodge - Dodge, at that time, being a midrange brand. Its wheelbase was four inches smaller than the standard Dodge (118 inches, just two shy of the current 300C). The Dodge Dart was launched as a smaller, but still big, Dodge - essentially, a Plymouth with a Dodge nameplate. We still know people who use Dodge Darts (and Plymouth Valiants) as their daily drivers, in 2011. Most people remember the Dart in its final form, which it stuck with from 1968 to 1976 in the U.S., with relatively minor changes and very, very few have unkind words for it, though many owners of the later models can talk at length about replacing ball joints and wet feet. The cars are often described as “unkillable,” durable, and dependable, if a little stodgy in their later years. For 21 years, Dodge Darts came out of Detroit - longer, if front wheel drive Mexican cars are included.
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