Dodge Dart : The Old Story

Introduced in 1960, the Dodge Dart started out as a full size model passenger car, but the Dart was a formidable muscle car. It was created by Dodge to compete the lower priced segment of the car market. The GT version was released in 1963, and there on, the Dart was changed to a compact model. The engines available were only 6-inline, and convertibles were also offered that time. The 1964 Dart offered the first V8 cylinder pattern, but it was a merely a 180 horsepower car with 273 CI. REAL performance was not be available until 1968, when the GTS was launched which included a V8 engine producing 375 horsepower. The 440 V8 was only offered till the end of 1968, and it was dropped down to 383 for the 1969 and 1970 model years.

Dodge Darts were popular in racing, with many original Dart’s parts being tripped out to produce a real racing car. Most of these were beyond true repair to bring them back to original factory conditions. Dodge Dart parts are generally easy to get as compared to the other old cars, and many manufacturers make after market parts to raise performance. Like many older cars, the typical mufflers, brakes, and suspension are the parts that are mostly in demand.

The Dodge Dart GTS models are the most sought after and collected models, and can sometimes fetch some pretty high prices. Restoring a Dart is easier than other older car models and thanks to the ongoing production of performance parts and the engine options available on the Dart. Most engines the Dart used were fairly common engines, meaning they are cheaper to work on and easier to replace parts. Most magazine reviews of the Dart in the late 1960′s suggested to purchase a model with a smaller engine. The big block engines were so heavy for the car that cornering and steering were problems for them. This is the reason which made it such a good racing car, because it could go faster in a straight line only.