Dodge Dart History

The Dodge Dart was a smaller yet still full-sized passenger car built by the Chrysler Corporation Dodge Dart between 1960 and 1976. The Dart was introduced as an affordable car to compete with the Plymouth Valiant and other smaller cars of the time. It’s the performance packages for the Dart that gets the adrenaline junkie’s blood pressure up. The Demon, Swinger, Sport and GTS models are true muscle cars.

The first Dodge Dart performance package was offered in 1963, though Dodge somehow missed the importance of a V8. The Dodge Dart GT was offered with a 170 I6 and 225 I6 with 34,227 sold this first year. Styling was simple with few frills in an effort to keep the Dart affordable.

In 1964 Dodge jumped on the band wagon and offered a V8 for the little Dart GT. The first 273 V8 did 0-60 in 10 seconds and 12,170 of the Dart GT with a V8 were sold. 1965 saw some styling and performance improvements with the 273 V8 going 0-60 in 8.2 seconds. In 1966 introduced a squarer look and 30,000 Dodge Dart GTs were sold. 1967 saw more restyling and the introduction of the GTS and Swinger models late in the production year.

1968 was a big year for the spunky Dart when the GTS rolled out to compete with the Chevy Nova SS. There are some rare engine options for this year 8,745 GTS models were sold, 68 400s and 80 with a Hemi. The 440 ran the quarter mile in 13.3 seconds and did 0-60 in 5 seconds. This made the Dodge Dart a real competitor on the drag strip.

In 1969 the Dart received yet another facelift allowing it to look like a real bad boy. The Swinger package was much more popular this year than the GTS selling 20,000 and 6,702 respectively.

Watch out for the Demon. The Dodge Demon burst onto the Dart roster in 1971. Just one glance at this beast and you can tell it’s a blast to drive. Religious groups didn’t approve of the devil decals or the name in general, but 10,098 Demon 340s were sold this year. Despite the hubbub over a name the Demon continued in 1972 selling 8,700.

In 1973 Dodge caved and renamed the Demon the Dodge Dart Sport, selling 11,315 after the renaming. In 1974 the 340 was replaced with a 360 V8 to keep up with improving emissions standards. 38,394 performance package Darts were sold in 1974. Sales dipped in 1975 to 15,702 due to performance reductions to meet ever toughening emissions requirements. 1976 was the last year for the Dodge Dart Sport.

Even though the Dodge Dart ended for the United States in 1976 production did continue in other countries until 1988. If you’re looking for a muscle car that has guts, more than 2 seats and doesn’t feel like a boat lumbering down the street, consider a Dodge Dart, you won’t be sorry.

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