Dodge Dart: История модели (1960–1976)

the original 1960–1976 Dodge Dart

The Dodge Dart is a line of large passenger cars produced by Dodge from the 1959 to 1976 model years in North America, with production extended to later years in various other markets. Chrysler first used 'Dart' name plates on two Italian styled show cars, in 1956 and 1957, before it became a Dodge model name. The production Dodge Dart was introduced as a lower priced full size model in 1960 and 1961, but became a mid size car for one model year for 1962, and was then reduced to a compact for two generations, from 1963 to 1976. The Dart nameplate was resurrected for a Fiat derived compact car that was introduced in 2012.

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. For 1957, Ghia built Chrysler a second, visually similar show car, the Chrysler Ghia Super Dart 400.

The Slant 6 engine remained standard equipment, though its power rating rose from to for 1967, owing to the installation of the 225 engine's 1 barrel Carter BBD or Holley 1904 series carburetor and the revised camshaft the bigger engine had received in 1965. For North American domestic market vehicles, the base 170 engine was replaced for 1970 with a stronger new version of the slant 6. This new base engine was also less costly to make, for unlike the previous 170 engine, the 198 used the same block as the 225. The smaller displacement was achieved with a new crankshaft ( stroke vs. the stroke of the 225 crank) and connecting rods ( long vs. the rods in the 225). Nevertheless, the 225 remained an upgrade option. The 2 barrel small block V8 was supplanted on the option list in 1968 by a 2 barrel engine. The 318 was rated at versus the 2 barrel carbureted 273's At the same time the 4 barrel carbureted 273 was replaced on the options list by the 4 barrel carbureted available only in the 1968–1972 Swinger and the hottest Dart, the performance oriented GTS models. The Dart GTS came standard with the V8. A big block was optional.

The Dart and its sister model—the Plymouth Valiant—were substantially redesigned for the 1967 model year. In addition to new styling, the cars received revised steering systems, wider front track and frame rail spacing, and redesigned K members capable of accepting larger engines. The Dart kept this basic form, with facelifts consisting of revised front and rear end styling and interior trim, until the end of A body production in 1976 for North America and 1981 for South America. The restyled Dart for 1967 featured a rear window with compound inverse curves. This created a unique appearance at the rear of the greenhouse, but tended to collect snow and created thick C pillars that looked formal but created blind spots for drivers. Curved side glass was used for the first time on a Chrysler compact. The front featured a new dual plane front end contour: the center section of the grille, bumper, and leading edge of the hood were recessed from the front plane of the car. The single headlamps were placed forward of the recessed center section, defining the front plane. Park/turn lamps were set into the grille, in the corners formed by the transition area between the recessed and forward sections. With the new design, changes were made to the Dart lineup, beginning with the elimination of its station wagons and the base model's "170" designation. The only body styles were the 2 and 4 door sedans, the hardtop, and the convertible. The base 170 model was now badged simply as "Dart". The 270 and GT versions carried on unchanged for the most part. In late 1967, the GTS model debuted but was built in limited quantities due to its lateness in the model year; the 1968 GTS was, arguably, improved by fitting the new high output V8 as standard equipment. Other changes to comply with new federal safety laws included collapsible steering columns, additional padding on the dashboard and sun visors. Shoulder belt anchors were also provided for front outboard occupants. The 1967 redesign removed all traces of the older Virgil Exner styling that proved less popular by the early 1960s. The newer body was trimmer and proved extremely popular, causing sales of the Dart to surpass compacts from Ford and GM.

Changes for 1968 were relatively subtle. The park and turn lights in the grille were moved slightly inboard and made round. Side marker lights were added to the front fenders and rear quarter panels, to comply with newly introduced Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. Shoulder harnesses (separate, this year and until 1973, from the lap belts) and non glare matte finish on the windshield wiper arms were also part of the 1968 federally mandated safety package. Chrysler's "clean air package" emission control system became standard equipment on cars sold in all 50 states. The steering linkage was revised again, as were the windshield and rear window gaskets and trim lock strips, leaving the 1967 pieces as one year only items. The standard rear axle ratio was dropped from 2.93 to 2.76 with all standard performance engines and automatic transmission. Part throttle downshift functionality was added as a refinement to the TorqueFlite automatic transmission in 6 cylinder cars, to retain acceptable city performance with the taller rear axle ratio. the Hurst reworked Hemi Darts used the Hemi engine. These special models (only 80 were made) were created strictly for drag racing, and included a non warranty disclaimer. On February 20, 1968, corporate headquarters in Highland Park, Michigan, sent out a press release to Dodge dealerships. It was a promotional pitch purposed at selling drag ready, Hemi powered Darts. The press release stated that Dodge wanted to make a factory built and ready drag racer out of the 68 Dart GTS hardtop for competition in class B Super Stock (drag racing). Engineers stated the new Hemi Dart reached speeds of in less than 11 seconds and times in the 10 11 second range, although times have been reported as low as the 9 10 second range. To keep weight low, a fiberglass hood and fenders were used. The hood featured a functional intake scoop and four hood pins for full lift off removal of the hood. Lightweight acid dipped steel doors with thin side window glass were used. As the doors lacked a window mechanism, a strap was attached to the bottom of the glass on the interior door panel. To keep glass up, the strap latched to the inside of the door. The interior included only two bucket seats from a Dodge van. The center console, heater, sound deadeners, side view mirrors, radio, carpeting, and even armrests were omitted to save weight. The engine was a race spec 426 Hemi. These motors had a compression ratio of 10.25:1 pistons, bore x stroke fed through a 2X4 barrel Holley carburetors atop a lightweight crossram aluminum intake manifold rated at at 5,000 rpm and a maximum torque of at 4,000 rpm. A high performance Mopar battery was moved to the trunk to free up room and improve weight distribution. Darts could be ordered with either a four speed manual or three speed automatic transmissions. Manual transmission equipped cars, code A 833, featured a Dana 60 built heavy duty axle with a 4.88 gear ratio, heavy duty clutch, steel bellhousing, and special torque shaft and pivots. Manual transmissions were modified by removing synchronizers which lowered the chances of missed shifts. A Hurst floor mounted shifter came standard. The automatic transmissions were the then new Chrysler built 727 TorqueFlite three speed with 8 3/4 inch large stem pinion center section with a 4.86 gear set, and a 2,600 rpm high speed torque converter. They were also modified with a floor mounted Hurst shifter for manual shifting. Other features include heavy duty rear shocks, heavy duty radiator with a seven blade fan, and deep groove pulleys, a high capacity oil pump, solid lifter cam, and a roller timing chain to reduce stretch and provide more reliable performance. A transistorized dual points breaker distributor coupled with a Prestolite ignition and solid core wires were also used. The cars weighed approximately The cars were designed to meet street legal requirements, but due to the modifications, the cars came with disclaimers that they were not for street use, but rather "supervised acceleration trials", or drag racing.

The 2 door sedan was dropped at the end of 1968 and replaced with the Swinger 2 door hardtop for 1969 available in Custom, GT, and GTS trim. Also added was the Swinger 340. The entire 1969 Dart range received trim updates including another minor revision of the grille and a return to rectangular park/turn lights. The 1968 round side marker lights were replaced with rectangular reflectors. Head restraints were optional equipment until January 1, 1969, when their installation became mandatory under federal law. The 6 cylinder models received a carburetor anti ice system borrowed from Canadian market Chrysler 6 cylinder engines, and the drum brake automatic adjusters were revised for more consistent operation. At the top of the Dart performance range for 1969, there was limited availability of the 440 V8 in the Dart GTS model.

The Dart was refreshed for 1970 with front and rear changes designed to bring the car closer to the design themes found in Dodge's full size vehicles through grille and contour changes. In the rear, the Dart's new rectangular tail lights were set into a wedge shaped rear bumper design continuing the angled trailing edge of the new deck lid and quarter panels. The revised rear styling did not change the 14.1 cubic ft trunk space of the 1969 model. 14 inch wheels became standard equipment, and the slant 6 was replaced by a larger version for improved base model performance and greater manufacturing economy—the 198 used the same block as the 225, while the 170 had used a different block. Changes to the fuel system improved drivability, economy, and emission control. Part throttle downshift was added to the 8 cylinder automatic transmissions. In compliance with FMVSS 108, side marker lights and reflectors were installed at all four corners. 1970 Darts for the US and Canadian markets were built in Canada at the Windsor, Ontario, or Los Angeles, California assembly plant. All 1970 Darts got the federally mandated steering column and ignition lock. The "Swinger" name was applied to all the Dart two door hardtops except in the high line custom series. Other changes were made to the Dart line to avoid internal competition with Dodge's new Challenger: the Dart convertible was discontinued along with the optional V8, leaving the 340 4 barrel V8 as the top Dart engine. heavy duty "Rallye" suspension, a 3.23:1 rear axle ratio, fiberglass belted bias ply tires mounted to 14 × 5½ inch steel wheels, and a bumblebee stripe. Optional equipment included an upgrade over the standard bench seat with all vinyl bucket seats, with which a center console could be ordered. A performance hood upgrade with scoops was painted flat black with hood tie down pins. Mechanical options included power assisted brakes and steering. Rallye wheels and wire wheel covers were also optional, as was a 6000 rpm tachometer and a vinyl roof covering in black or white.

For 1971, Chrysler introduced a 2 door hardtop in the Valiant line called the Scamp. It was the same car as the Swinger with a Valiant front clip. The 1970 Dart's dual tail lamps were given over to the badge engineered Scamp, while the 1971 Dart received new smaller quad taillamps that would be used through 1973. The custom 2 door hardtop coupe became the Swinger, and the standard Swinger became the Swinger Special. Dodge gained a version of Plymouth's popular Valiant based fastback Duster which was to be named the Beaver, but when Chrysler's marketing department learned that "beaver" was CB slang for vagina,

Changes for 1972 included a revised grille without the central divider of the 1970 and 1971 items, new surface mounted sidemarker lights rather than the previous flush mount units, the instrument cluster was now shared with the Valiant and featured a large, rectangular speedometer and several, small, round gauges; the AM/FM radio option returned. The Demon had new fender mounted metal "Demon" badges without the small devil character on the 1971 decals. The "Demon" decal on the rear of the car was replaced by Dodge and Dart emblems on the lower right edge of the deck lid. Some Demons with the side and rear panel tape stripes retained the tape devil character. A new, optional, single, hood scoop replaced 1971's dual scoops, and was coupled with a hood paint blackout that had been standard on the 1971 high trim/high value Demon Sizzler model. Cars equipped with the optional rally wheels now came with newly restyled center caps, finished in a light argent (silver) paint. Demon production was substantially less than Duster's; this is reflected in higher collector car values for the Demon, especially V8 models.

The 1973 model year Darts received new front styling with revised fenders, grille, header panel, and hood. Impact absorbing front bumpers were installed to comply with new federal regulations, as well as side impact guard beams in the doors and new emission control devices. New single piston disc brakes replaced the more complex 4 piston units offered from 1965 to 1972. Chrysler's new electronic ignition system was standard equipment on all engines, and starter motors were revised for faster engine cranking. The K frame was modified to accommodate a new spool type engine mount that limited engine roll to 3°. The upper ball joints were upgraded to the larger B body units. Along with these chassis changes, the wheel bolt pattern on Darts with disc brakes was enlarged from to the pattern common to the larger B and C body Chrysler built passenger cars. Darts with 4 wheel drum brakes continued with the smaller bolt pattern. The standard rear axle was still the 7¼ inch unit, but the heavy duty option was now an 8¼ inch item rather than the previous 8¾ inch rear axle. Standard rear axle ratios were 2.76:1 with automatic transmission and 3.23:1 with manual, though other ratios were available. Vent wings were deleted from the Swinger but not from the 4 door sedans. A new "Quiet Car" package was available, consisting of extra sound insulation, premium exhaust hangers, and an exhaust resonator. The Demon fastback was renamed "Dart Sport" in response to poor sales. It was thought that the "Demon" name and devil with pitchfork logo negatively affected sales to people of faith. Heavy gauge steel in the windshield pillar area had been incorporated into the windshield, pillar, and roof design. Darts were also equipped with an improved energy absorbing steering column which used multiple slots in the column jacket to replace prior used convoluted mesh design. At impact, force applied to the steering wheel curled the column jacket back over a mandrel mounted on the floor. Federal Motor Safety Standards briefly required that the front seat belts include a starter interlock system that prevented the engine from starting unless the front seat outboard occupant and the driver fastened their belts. It was Chrysler's first application of overdrive since 1959. The final drive ratio in fourth gear was 2.36:1 on the slant six cars equipped with 3.23:1 rear axle, and 2.15:1 on the V8s equipped with 2.94:1 rear axle. The result was less engine noise and wear and greater fuel economy. Car & Driver magazine tested the Dart Sport 360 in the April 1976 issue, pitting it against the Chevrolet Corvette and Pontiac Trans Am, and found its top speed of to be second to the Corvette's
Dart Custom 4 Door Sedan was dropped as the mid level 4 door sedan model, but the features and trim were carried over as option package A68. Sedans equipped with the Custom package received the same "Custom" front fender badges as were applied to the standalone 1975 models of the same name. Elimination of the Custom series narrowed Dart's 4 Door Sedan offerings in Dart's final year to two models, Dart and Dart Special Edition.

For 1973 and 1974, the Convertriple option on the Dart Sport included a fold down rear seat/security panel offering 6 feet (2 m) of lengthwise space, and a manually operated metal sunroof. It was advertised as "three cars in one": an economy compact, a convertible alternative because of the sunroof, and a roomy station wagon alternative because of the fold down rear seat. The Convertriple was the basis for the 1975 Hang 10 option. It was aimed at surfers in an attempt by Dodge marketers to better determine consumer preferences in a declining performance market. Hang ten is a surfing expression for balancing at the end of a surfboard with ten toes over the nose of the board while riding the wave. Available only in eggshell white exterior with a factory installed sunroof, the car's fold down rear seat permitted the loading of a surfboard through the trunk. The Hang 10 option continued the surfing theme with various colored stripe material accenting the white vinyl seats and door panels. Orange shag carpet covered the back of the fold down rear seat while the dash and center console had orange accents.

In mid 1974, Dodge introduced the Caravan Tan trim package. Features for this Dart Sport included a desert hued vinyl bench seat with multi colored striped inserts and white piping, and gold colored instrument panel, dashboard, and carpeting. Exterior color choices were dark moonstone, Sienna, gold metallic, dark gold metallic, golden fawn, and white.

In a tie in with the United States Bicentennial, a Spirit of '76 edition of the Dart Sport featured white paint with prominent red and blue bodyside striping meant to evoke the image of the American flag.

In response to increased interest in fuel economy, Dodge offered the Dart Lite fuel economy package which weighed at least less than the ordinary Dart Sport. The 225 slant six was the only available engine, equipped with an aluminum intake manifold for the first time since 1960 and a specially calibrated carburetor and distributor. Bumper reinforcement brackets were aluminum instead of steel, while the hood and trunk lid bracing and inner panels were also aluminum. The slant six engine block had already been modified for reduced weight in 1975; in the middle of 1976 production, its crankshaft was changed from forged steel to lighter cast iron. The high flow exhaust system included a dual biscuit catalytic converter, a larger

Dodge offered a performance version of the Dart GT in 1966. Known as the D Dart for competitive use in NHRA's D/stock class, the 273 V8 was modified to produce Most of the power came from a larger carburetor and a more radical camshaft. The bulletin sent to the dealers from Chrysler also mentions an rear axle with 4.89:1 final drive ratio.

In 1966, the SCCA introduced the new Trans American Sedan Championship that allowed competition among Dodge Darts, Plymouth Barracudas, Chevrolet Corvairs, Ford Mustangs, and other "production touring cars" with a maximum wheelbase of The cars competed in two classes, over 2 liters and under 2 liters. Few modifications were allowed; bumpers, rear seats, and floor mats could be removed, mufflers could be replaced with straight pipes, and different wheels could be used so long as the stock rim diameter and width were maintained. Any engine component available over the dealer parts counter was sanctioned for use. "In 1969," said Shepard, "we built over 600 440 powered Darts basically the same as the 383 GTS, except for the engine." The two door coupe versions of the subsequent VF and VG models used the Dart two door's body from the A pillar back married to an Australian front end. Australian sedan and pickup truck models were also exported in knock down kit form to New Zealand for local assembly there from 1963 to 1978. Dodge Darts were assembled in right hand drive in South Africa during the 1960s and up until 1972 and sold locally as the Chrysler Valiant. All South African models were built with a locally sourced 225 cu in six cylinder engine. U. S. Plymouth/Dodge models were fully replaced by Australian Chrysler products from 1972.

The Dodge Dart started being produced in Brazil from knock down kits in October 1969, replacing the Simca derived Chrysler Esplanada. Production of A body Darts continued in Brazil, where they were also sold as Charger, Magnum and Le Baron, through 1981 and in Colombia through 1977. Dart based A body cars with various names including Valiant, Coronado and Polara were produced in Argentina through 1979. The Brazilian A body cars used the bodystyle from 1970 and were always equipped with the 318 cubic inch V8, set up to run on the lower octane fuel used in Latin America at the time. Originally a three speed manual transmission was standard, with an optional Torqueflite automatic transmission, and later a four speed manual was also available. The equipment levels in Brazil were: Sedan de Luxo, Coupe de Luxo, SE, Gran Sedan, Gran Coupe, Charget LS, Le Baron and Magnum with the sporty Charger R/T
The last true A body Dart was built in the summer of 1981 in Brazil. This car is virtually identical to the U. S. market's 1976 Swinger.

From 1965 to 1970 a Spanish version of the Dodge Dart based on the original from the United States was manufactured in the Barreiros Villaverde factory in Madrid. In March 1971 a new version, using the same 111 in (2,819 mm) wheelbase but with different sheet metal, the Dodge 3700 was produced until 1977 when the Spanish automotive taxation system was changed. The 3700 actually received the sheet metal from the Argentinian Dodge Polara, with certain modifications for the Spanish market. The rear wheel openings were larger and round, the grille and all lights were different, as was the instrumentation. The 3700 also came as standard with front disc brakes and power steering. A total of 17,589 units were manufactured of the earlier range (1965 to 1970) in Spain, they were produced as a SKD due to the protectionist Spanish regulations of those years. 9,959 Dodge 3700s were built until 1977, although the last new 3700 was only first registered in 1980. Although being the only large Dodge produced locally in Spain, previous American models such as the Coronet and Meadowbrook were exported to Spain ever since the 1950s with moderate success. The Dart and the 3700 were the biggest national production car available in Spain during all production years. It was an expensive luxury car with very low fuel economy by Spanish standards. Nonetheless, it was considered an economic car for its size in those few markets to which it was exported. In Switzerland, for instance, it was priced exactly the same as a V8 engined American built four door Dodge Dart Custom and had only slightly less power, but was taxed considerably less. These vehicles were also exported to other European markets such as France and the United Kingdom but without much success. The Spanish Dodges never met sales goals and was an expensive failure for the Barreiros concern. The break even point was 5,000 cars per year, a goal which was only surpassed once, in 1966. The Barreiros brothers were forced to sell off the company which was reorganized as Chrysler España, S. A. while the GT was the sporty version. The base version has a three speed manual transmission, while the GT came with either a four speed manual or a three speed automatic this was the same unit as the one mounted in the Chrysler 2 L. These models, mainly intended for taxi use, were very basic and very slow. They have 7 inch round headlamps rather than the large oblong units on fancier Spanish Darts, and use the round taillights from the first generation Simca 1000. Production of Spanish Dodges stopped in 1977. Peugeot bought the Villaverde factory, as Chrysler was divesting their European operations in Spain, France, and the United Kingdom. Spanish Dodges were popular with members of the Spanish government during the 1960s and 1970s. Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco was killed on 20 December 1973 while traveling in his Dodge 3700 GT. On 12 June 1975, Fernando Herrero Tejedor, the Minister Secretary General of the Movimiento Nacional and the politician mentoring Adolfo Suárez, died in a car accident while travelling in his official Dodge 3700 in the municipality of Adanero. Peugeot would not market another large car in Spain similar to the size of the Dart (the previous Chrysler 180 was smaller) until the Talbot Tagora came out in 1980, albeit without much success.

The Dart name (rather than Aspen) was applied to Dodge branded F body cars in Mexico, corresponding to the Mexican Chrysler branded F body cars badged as Valiant Volare (without the "é" in the "Volare" nameplate). The F body was withdrawn from production worldwide after 1980, but in Mexico, the M body was badged as a Dodge Dart for 1981 and 1982 using the front header panel from the discontinued 1980 Volare/Aspen, the K body was sold as a Dodge Dart K (and as a Valiant Volare K) from 1982 to 1989, and the E body was sold as the Dodge Dart Europa, officially badged as the Dodge Dart E, from 1986 to 1989. It was a downscale (lower price, cheaper trim) version of the American Dodge 600 4 door sedan. It replaced the Dart K 4 door sedan. Dart K 2 door and wagon models were sold alongside the Dart E until 1988 and the old SOHC I 4 2.2 L engine was replaced by the new 2.5 L I 4 for the 1987 season. These were the last new cars in the world to bear the Dodge Dart name until its revival in 2013. The Dart name was dropped when Chrysler de México introduced the Spirit in 1990.

The Dodge Dart was sold alongside its replacement for part of the 1976 model year before it was discontinued in the U. S. and Canadian markets. Over its original 13 year production run, the Dart earned a good reputation. "The Dart was one of the most successful compact cars ever introduced in the American automobile marketplace," according to R. D. McLaughlin, then vice president of Chrysler's Automotive sales division, "It enjoys a strong owner loyalty and is a car that has established a reputation for reliability and value these are [some] reasons why we will continue to market the Dart while introducing the new compact Aspen."