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.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |