Dodge Dart
Dodge Dart is the type name for several of Dodge in the years 1959 to 1976, and from 2013 production models. The U.S. automobile manufacturer Dodge is a company of the Chrysler Group. In the years 1971 and 1972 derived from the basic model coupe version under the name Dodge Demon was offered.
Model years 1960/61,
For the first time appeared the name Dart to Dodge models in model year 1960, where they named a new entry-level model, which ranked below the large models Dodge Dodge Polara and Matador and expanded the model range of Dodge to a cheaper car. All models except the Dart station wagon sat on a over Matador and Polara by 10 cm shorter wheelbase and also measured in length 10 cm less. Resources have been provided with this unibody models as two four-door sedans and (the latter with B -pillar or in hardtop version ), as a five-door station wagon, hardtop coupe and as a convertible. Three trim levels were available: Dart Seneca, Pioneer Darts and Dart Phoenix. The drive took a standard 3.7- liter in-line six-cylinder (145 hp/147 PS ), on request, there were V- 8 engines with 5.2 to 6.3 liters ( 230-325 hp/233-329 PS). The models received a facelift in 1961 with greatly changed front. A smaller 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine (101 hp/102 PS) and a larger 6.8 -liter V8 ( 350-375 hp/355-380 PS) supplemented the engine range.
The new Dart was a great success at first attempt. In model year 1960 emerged from all darts versions 306 603 copies, far more than of the larger models Matador and Polara. However, in the model year, sales fell to 137,000 copies, mainly because of a perceived as unhappy facelifts.
Model 1962
For the 1962 Dodge launched, as well as the sister brand Plymouth, significantly reduced full-size models on a wheelbase of 295 held last 300/310 centimeters. The Darts, divided into the base series, Darts and Dart 330 440, presented here in turn the less expensive models. Technically were no significant differences recorded, but a completely new style were the bodies. Sales volumes declined rapidly to only 111,300 Dart models.
Model years 1963-1966
Dodge Dart 170 4- Door Sedan - Model 1963
From model year 1963 sparked a new darts in the so-called "compact " class from the former Dodge Lancer. This Dart had a wheelbase of 282 cm (combined: 269 cm) and competed in the main with the Ford Falcon, Mercury Comet and the compact models from General Motors: Chevrolet Chevy II, Pontiac Tempest, Oldsmobile F -85 and Buick Special. Plymouth offered with the same time renewed Valiant (wheelbase 269 cm ) to a similar but differently designed in detail car.
The new Dart stood as two - and four-door sedan, five-door station wagon, two-door hardtop coupe and as a convertible in the equipment lines Darts 170 Darts 270 Darts and GT in the program. Six -cylinder engines of 2.8 and 3.7 liters of displacement was a choice. From model year 1964 was added in a 180 hp/182 hp 4.5-liter V8. In the years 1965 and 1966 there were only minor detail changes and optical retouching.
Numbers (model years):
Model years 1967-1976; Dodge Demon
Dodge Dart Swinger
In the fall of 1966 Dodge presented on an unchanged technology a dart with a completely new body. The parallel model Plymouth Valiant was also renewed at this time, but again had a shorter wheelbase than the Dart (274 instead of 282 cm ) and another body. Station wagon and convertible accounted for, four-door sedan and two-door hardtop coupe remained in the program. Were offered the trim levels base, Darts and Dart 270 GT. 1968 moved the decidedly sporty Dart GTS coupe with 275 hp/279 PS leistendem 5.6 -liter V8 to the top of the dart - style range. 1969 Dart 270 was replaced by the Dart and the Custom hardtop Swingers, which was available with engines from 2.8 to 6.3 liters of displacement came new in the offer. In 1970 a major facelift with new front and rear sections; the GTS and accounted for as a muscle car version now acted the Dart Swinger 340
In 1971, as an additional dart variant on the shorter wheelbase of the Plymouth Valiant the Demon, a two-door coupe with a completely new body. His Plymouth - parallel model was the Valiant Duster.
1972 a total of 7 different models were offered under the names Demon, Dart, Dart Swinger and Dart Custom. In 1973 that number shrank to 6 and the Demon was renamed Dart Sport - conservative Christian circles had taken offense at the previous name (" demon "). At the same time the darts, according to the U.S. regulations, bolder front bumpers were. In 1974, the previous sports version of Dart Sport 340 through sport 360 with a slightly larger 5.9 -liter V8 (170 hp/172 PS) was replaced. 1974 and the rear bumpers were designed robust; were the new SE models with more extensive equipment. For the last model year of the dart, 1976, accounted for the SE versions. The sport also existed in a "lite" version called with aluminum parts; the weight reduction of 50 kg or less should help reduce fuel consumption.
Successor to the long-lived Dart was the Dodge Aspen. In the Mexican market, the Dodge Aspen and its successor models contributed to the 1980s in the name Dodge Dart.
Numbers (model years):
The Dart around the world
The Dart was produced except in North America in several countries worldwide, in more or less modified form.
In Brazil, the local Chrysler offshoot 1969-1983 made on the U.S. Darts of 1969 constructive variants sedan and hardtop coupe sold under the names Dodge Dart ( 5.2-liter V8, 201 hp SAE (148 kW) ), Dodge Charger ( coupe, 5.2 liter, 208 hp ( 153 kW) ) and Dodge Charger R / T ( coupe, 5.2 liter, 218 hp ( 160 kW) ), from 1974, the better-equipped versions Sedan and Gran Gran Coupe and 1978 Dodge Magnum and LeBaron.
In Argentina, the local Chrysler Fevre SAIC built from 1968 to 1979 Dart modifications, also available as a sedan and coupe with the 3.7- liter six-cylinder or the 5.2 -liter V8. These models ran under the name Dodge Valiant ( 3.7 liters, 139 hp SAE (102 kW) ), Dodge Polara and Coronado ( disc brakes, 3.7 liter, 147 hp ( 108 kW ) ), Dodge GT (3.7 liter, 157 hp ( 115 kW) ), Dodge RT ( coupe, 3.7 liter, 165 hp ( 121 kW ) ) and Dodge GTX ( coupe, 5.2 liter, 215 hp ( 158 kW) ).
In Spain produced the truck manufacturer Barreiros 1965-1971 the 1963 Dart sedan and station wagon look slightly different form, from 1969 as a Dodge diesel and as Dart 3700 GT; of these models emerged total 17,589 copies. From 1971 to 1977 Barreiros built a Dodge Dart 3700 the next generation mentioned as a sedan under the names Dodge 3700, 3700 GT and 3700 GT Automatico, all driven by the 3.7- liter inline six- cylinder with 165 hp SAE (121 kW). From this series 9959 pieces were made in Spain.
In Switzerland, Porsche and Chrysler importer AMAG some models of the Dart series were mainly assembled by hand from CKD parts in the 1960s and 1970s by the VW.
(Source: Automotive Review, catalog number 1973 ( for technical specifications ) )