An iconic nameplate from the golden muscle car era and the early malaise period, the Dodge Dart is mainly remembered as a compact car. And that's not surprising given that it was sold as one from 1963 through 1976. But the Dart actually emerged as a notably larger automobile.
Dodge initially introduced the nameplate for the 1960 model year. It was developed to replace the Coronet but was also slightly smaller than the period's average full-size vehicle. It was part of Chrysler's strategy to replace Plymouths in the low-priced car segment for the Dodge dealer network following a divisional restructuring.
The Dart slotted right under the Matador, which Dodge released in 1959 and would discontinue in 1960. The Matador was only 3.5 inches (89 mm) longer than the Dart. The full-size lineup was completed by the Polara, which was also brand-new for 1960.
Much like its larger and more expensive siblings, the Dart incorporated a full lineup of body styles, including two-door and four-door sedans and hardtops, a convertible, and a station wagon. Redesigned in 1961, the Dart was downsized for 1962, becoming an intermediate model. Its stint on the midsize market was short-lived as Dodge moved it into the compact segment in 1963.
Even though it was a popular rig that saw daylight in more than 300,000 units, the full-size Dart was quickly forgotten. The survival rate of these cars is also very low, so the 1960-1961 Darts are a rare sight nowadays. I'm obviously talking about solid survivors or restored examples. The 1961 Dart Phoenix you see here is one of those cars.
In case you're wondering what's with the "Phoenix" badge, it's one of three trim levels Dodge offered at the time. The Dart lineup included the entry-level Seneca, the mid-range Pioneer, and the premium Phoenix. The latter came standard with an inline-six engine, but it was available with 318- and 361-cubic-inch (5.2- and 5.9-liter) V8 engines. The 361 was offered with two- or four-barrel carburetors.
In 1961, Dodge added the iconic 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big-block to the lineup, which is precisely what this Phoenix has under the hood. And in addition to being a range-topping model with the top-of-the-line V8, it's also a one-year gem.
That's because even though the full-size Dart was sold for two model years, each car looks notably different. While the 1960 version was reminiscent of the 1959 Coronet, the 1961 variant sported a notably more modern design. Highlights included a new front fascia with quad headlamps integrated into the grille and a sleek rear end with slanted fins. It's a somewhat controversial look, but I like it.
Spotted at a local car show, this Dart Phoenix is spotless inside and out and flexes a red-over-red color combo that screams early 1960s. There's no info on how original it is, but it sure looks like it could win awards at classic car shows. See for yourself in the video below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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