However, these large round lights were mounted near the inboard side of the reverse fins, and aggravated the already awkward styling.Īs a result, Dodge saw Dart sales drop by nearly 46%, to 142,000 units from 266,700. By mid-year, Dodge was forced to make auxiliary taillights available at extra cost through its dealer network. The wraparound taillights were designed to provide side visibility at night, but the majority of the light was projected sideward, not rearward. There was also an adverse reaction to the low positioning and small size of the Dart's tail lights positioned just above the corners of the bumper drivers in other cars complained that they could not see them. Virgil Exner's 1961 styling with its reverse fins, rear fender scalloping and concave grille was highly unpopular with consumers. models on the outside, but the interior trim, controls, and displays were those used on the U.S. Canadian-built 1961 Darts were identical to U.S. The alternator, introduced as standard equipment in 1960 on the Valiant, was installed rather than the previous DC generator on all 1961 Chrysler products, including the Dart. Chrysler's pushbutton-shifted TorqueFlite automatic was available at extra cost. Darts in all series were equipped as standard with three-speed, column-shifted manual transmissions. Beginning in mid-year, some Darts ordered with the 225 engine were equipped with the die-cast aluminum block. Phoenix convertibles were all equipped with V8 engines. The same three trim levels were available as in 1960: the premium Phoenix, mid-range Pioneer, and base Seneca.Įngine choices included the 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6, and the 318 cu in (5.2 L) and 361 cu in (5.9 L) V8s were also available in various configurations. It retained 1960's 118 in (2,997 mm) wheelbase, and was restyled to emulate the larger Polara. The premium Polara was left alone to wage battle in the medium-price segment.įor 1961, the Dart remained the smallest full-size Dodge. The full-size, mid-priced Matador was discontinued after the 1960 model year as buyers selected the better-appointed and less expensive Dart Pioneer. Dart sales were so strong in 1960 that Dodge had to cut back its medium-priced model lineup. Darts equipped with the 225 in³ slant-6 were popular as taxicabs.Īs Dart sales climbed, Plymouth's sales dropped and Chrysler's corporate heads did nothing to stop the infighting between the divisions. Even advertising from 19 compared the Dart to the "C" car (Chevrolet), the "F" car (Ford) and the "P" car (Plymouth). Sales of the Dart outstripped those of the full-size Dodge Matador and Dodge Polara, but it also created an in-house competitor for Plymouth. The Dart was instantly and highly popular. 318 cu in (5.2 L) and 361 cu in (5.9 L) V8s were also available with 2-barrel or 4-barrel carburetors, and with single or dual exhaust. The all-new Dart came with an all-new engine as standard equipment: the 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6. The Dart line was divided into three trim levels: the basic Seneca, the mid-range Pioneer, and the premium Phoenix. The Dart had a shorter wheelbase than the standard-size Dodge line, and was based on the Plymouth platform. The first Dodge Darts, introduced for the 1960 model year, were reduced-size large cars developed to replace the Plymouth as the low-priced car for the Dodge dealer network Dodge dealers had been selling Plymouths since 1930, but divisional restructuring in 1960 took Plymouth away from the Dodge dealer network.
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