Vehicle Description
Dodge had an interesting time trying to find the right formula for
this Dart. First it was big, then small, then replaced, renamed,
and redesigned until they landed on this one, which was just right.
It was an instant market success and remained extremely popular for
many years to follow.
Considered a "compact" car in its day, these cars were roomy on the
inside but considerably smaller than most of the other American
cars of the day, so were easier to drive and find a parking spot
with. Today, this car's styling is delightfully 1960s in its
factory correct White paint dressed up and highlighted in chrome.
The hood slopes down smoothly to a crest near the front. The grill
has a horizontal band in the center that has Dodge lettered through
it with vertical bars above and below it. Single headlights are
perched on the front of the fenders and a simple chrome bumper
underlines everything nicely. A Dart badge appears on the front
fenders and a line of chrome runs down the side from front to rear.
The back of the car looks stylish with chrome trimming out the rear
window and flowing along the top edge of fenders to the round
taillights. Another sharp looking bumper underlines the trunk and
Dodge is lettered into the trim just above it.
Open the door and you will find a stock interior in the factory
correct color of Red that is most likely original to the car and is
still looking good. The door panel is sharp sectioned in Red and
White with chrome piping outlining it nicely. A red two-spoke
steering wheel is wrapped with a white cover and has a
semi-circular chrome horn ring. Behind it the dashboard is red on
top with an aluminum and chrome panel containing the gauges and
controls. On the left side you will find the cool Push Button
controls for the automatic transmission. 1963 and 1964 were the
only compact Darts so equipped. There is an "all transistor" AM
push button radio still in resting in its place in the dash and an
Audiovox FM radio mounted under the dash along with a dealer
installed A/C system. Bench seats both front and rear are in good
shape and comfortable with breathable cloth seating surfaces and
smooth vinyl trim.
Under the hood is an engine with a reputation for being probably
one of the most reliable engines of all time, the 225 cubic inch
slant 6. This one starts and runs great and seems to be
exceptionally strong. These engines are easy to maintain in part
because you can actually get to everything easily. A simple air
cleaner feeds the stock carb and intake while the plugs and oil
filter are easy to reach too. Power flows back through that Push
Button Torqueflite automatic transmission to the rear wheels
mounted on leaf springs. Up front, torsion bars work through upper
and lower control arms and radius rods to provide good handling and
maneuverability. The rubber meets the road through white wall tires
with chrome wheel covers that look just right on this car.
These cars were popular back in the day because they were the right
size, comfortable and easy to drive. Today, nice examples like this
one are appreciated for their 1960s styling as well as all those
things that made them popular in the first place. Come on down and
take a look at this one for yourself.
