The alternator, introduced as standard equipment in 1960 on the Valiant, replaced the previous DC generator on all 1961 Chrysler products. Chrysler's pushbutton-shifted TorqueFlite automatic was available at extra cost. Darts in all series were equipped as standard with three-speed, column-shifted manual transmissions.
Beginning mid-year, some Darts ordered with the 225 engine were equipped with the die-cast aluminum block. Phoenix convertibles were equipped with V8 engines. Once again, wagons shared the Polara's 122 in (3,099 mm) wheelbase they also shared the Polara's unique side-mounted taillights.Įngine choices included the 225 cu in (3.7 L) slant-six, and the 318 cu in (5.2 L) and 361 cu in (5.9 L) V8s were also available in various configurations. The same three trim levels were available: the premium Phoenix, mid-range Pioneer, and base Seneca. It retained the 118 in (2,997 mm) wheelbase, and was restyled to emulate the larger Polara. 1961 įor the 1961 model year, the Dart continued as the smallest full-size Dodge. The premium Polara remained in the medium-price segment in 1961. The full-size, mid-priced Matador was discontinued after the 1960 model year as buyers selected the slightly smaller but better-appointed and less expensive Dart Phoenix.
Dart sales were so strong in 1960 that production of the medium-priced model lines were reduced. Chrysler executives did little to stop the infighting between the divisions. Chrysler officials were somewhat less comforted at how 87% of Dodge's volume consisted of the low-profit Dart line, compared to the upmarket Matador and Polara, of which only 41,000 were sold for the 1960 model year.Īs the Dart's sales climbed, Plymouth's sales dropped. After the economic downturn of 1958-59, Dodge production for 1960 rebounded to 367,804 cars, the division's highest total to date, and good for sixth place behind Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth, Rambler, and Pontiac.
Advertising from 19 compared the Dart to the "C" car ( Chevrolet), the "F" car ( Ford) and the "P" car (Plymouth). Sales of the new Dart were greater than those of the full-size Dodge Matador and Dodge Polara, which also created an in-house competitor for Plymouth. The 318 cu in (5.2 L) (standard equipment on certain Phoenix and Pioneer body styles) and 361 cu in (5.9 L) V8s were optional with two-barrel or four-barrel carburetors, and with single or dual exhaust. The new Dart came standard with a new engine, the 225 cu in (3.7 L) slant-six. The Dart line was offered in three trim levels: the basic Seneca, mid-range Pioneer, and premium Phoenix. However, the Dart station wagons used the same 122 in (3,099 mm) wheelbase as the upmarket Polara wagons. The Dart sedans and coupes were based on the unibody Plymouth platform with a 118 in (2,997 mm) wheelbase, shorter than the standard-size Dodge line.
With the cancellation of Chrysler's upper level DeSoto brand, upper-level Dodge products were pushed upmarket, while using Plymouth products with more features for lower-level Dodge products. This was promptly rejected in favor of Dart. Project planners proposed the name Dart, only to have Chrysler executives demand an expensive research program that produced the name Zipp. Dodge dealers had been selling Plymouths since 1930, but divisional restructuring took the Plymouth brand away from the Dodge dealer network. They were downsized large cars developed to replace Plymouths in the standard, low-priced car segment for the Dodge dealer network. The first Dodge Darts were introduced for the 1960 model year. The Dart nameplate was resurrected for a Fiat-derived compact car that was introduced in 2012. The production Dart was introduced as a lower-priced, full-size Dodge in 19, became a mid-size car for 1962, and then was a compact from 1963 to 1976. The Dart name originally appeared on a 1956 Chrysler show car featuring a streamlined body designed by the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia that was later modified and renamed the Dart Diablo. Dodge Dart is a line of automobiles marketed by Dodge from the 1959 to 1976 model years in North America, with production extended to later years in various other markets.
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