Dodge Dart Classic Cars for Sale

The Dodge Dart started out as Chrysler's 1960s budget car, a replacement for the Plymouth which lost its place in Dodge dealerships. Originally the smallest full-size Dodge, the Dodge Dart shrunk and grew as much as its engine size throughout its sixteen-year North American production. Available as a two or four-door sedan, four-door wagon, two-door hard or soft top, the name 'Dart' provides a clue about its power- it once left a Firebird in its rear view mirror and was on the tail of a Corvette on the race track. Sold everywhere from America to Africa, Spain to Singapore, The Dodge Dart looked cool and became extremely popular with everyone from surfers to the police and also supplied the taxicab industry.

The 1959 to 1976 Dodge Dart legacy spanned four generations, each with three models.

Dodge Dart History

Based on the Plymouth's 118-inch-wheelbase, the 1960 Dodge Dart was small; it was also the first to use the Slant-Six engine, a 3.7L 225 cubic inch, or a choice of V8's: 5.2L 318ci, 5.9L 361ci, 6.3L 383ci, managed by three-speed manual or TorqueFlight automatic transmission. The first three models available were the Seneca, Pioneer and the premium Phoenix. Quickly popular, the Dodge Dart sold better than other cars in the Dodge range, making up for almost 90% of sales. Advertisers pitched it against Ford, Chevrolet and, its own in-house competition, the Plymouth.

The 1962 Dodge Dart was redesigned to fit a new 'compact' niche. Built on a light-weight B-Body platform with TorsionAire front suspension. The Seneca, Pioneer and Phoenix were renamed Dart (or Dart 220), Dart 330 and Dart 440.

Within a year came three new names for the third generation: Dart 170, Dart 270, and a new premium GT. Built from 1963-67 with A-Body suspension, the Dodge Dart was designed slightly bigger to fit another new niche called the 'senior compact'. After '65, models came with air-conditioning, disc brakes and front seatbelts.

The 1967-76 fourth generation saw the arrival of the Swinger, and the Demon, Dodge's answer to the Plymouth fastback. Originally called the Beaver, connotations to the female anatomy had it renamed the Demon; religious outcry had it changed to the Dart Sport. By now, all Dodge Darts had been redesigned to fit even bigger engines, including 7.2L V8's.

Special edition and racing Darts

Dart Lite, Charger, Caravan Tan, Spirit of '76, SE, GT and GTS models were all limited in numbers. Over 2000 racing models were built for NHRA and SCCA competitions, such as the D-Dart (GT), and Hemi Dart. The A38 Dart was purpose built for the police in '76.