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Fin Man reader Charles Tucker writes of the 1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix 2-door hardtop, “I once owned a car like this.  The back glass came up over the rear seat.  I have never ever seen a car like it since.  Maybe you could find some information on it.  Thank you.”  Well Charles, here’s the story you asked for.

The ‘Dart’ name was used by the Dodge boys to designate a series of cars produced and sold in the United States from model years 1960 through 1976. In that brief time period, there were five distinct generations of Darts, each unmistakably different from the others.

When we say the name ‘Dodge Dart’, most of us think of the popular compact series of Darts which cruised the neighborhood Steak ‘n’ Shakes beginning with the 1963 models. These compact Darts rode a 110”-111” wheelbase, depending on the year, and were solidly in the compact car class. But the Dart automobile, didn’t start out as a compact, however, even though it was advertised as being ‘small’. 

First generation Darts were a part of the full size Dodge family, but were slightly downsized from the top-of-the-line Polaras of that vintage, riding on a 118” wheelbase—four inches shorter than the Polara, but seven to eight inches longer than the Darts that would follow. You might say the ’61 Dodge Dart was to Polara as Buick Special was to Roadmaster, or Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight was to Ninety-Eight. Power for these lean, full-size machines ran the gamut from mild to wild.

Standard fare for thrifty buyers who were more concerned with saving a penny or two, not only on initial outlay, but in fuel costs as well, was the, new for 1960, ‘slant six’... an engine which would go on to become one of Mopar’s most notable power plants along with the legendary ‘hemi’. The thirty degree off vertical angle of the block provided designers the opportunity to make front ends lower to the ground improving styling and drag. Other benefits included more graceful intake and exhaust manifolds for freer flowing gases, both unburned and burned... plus the means to locate the water pump behind the front end of the block, saving precious overall engine length.

The full-size Dodge Dart and Polara models came with a 225 cubic inch slant six which produced 145 horsepower. An interesting variant was the Hyper-Pak competition option, available from the factory or as a dealer installed upgrade. The same  225 cubic inch slant six block was fitted with tuned exhaust, solid lifters and a four barrel Carter carburetor. Advertising claimed 195 horsepower, however, in reality, this potent package put out a solid 275 horses.  Hyper-Pak equipped Mopars were king of the strip in the lower stock classes and sleepers at the stoplight.

Moving one more rung up the engine option list, in displacement if not horsepower, was Mopar’s venerable 318 cubic inch V-8 (5.2 liters for you generation X-ers in the crowd). This was a five main bearing mill which produced 230 brake horsepower and was fed by a Stromberg two-barrel carb.

If still more power was desired, one could opt for the Dart D-500 V-8. This engine had a displacement of 361 cubic inches and produced 305 horsepower.

Topping the list was a pair of 413 cubic inch gas guzzlers. The Super D-500, with not one but TWO Carter four barrels, mounted conventionally on the centerline of the intake manifold, produced 350 horsepower. The ‘Ram-Tuned’ version of this engine had ‘outboard’ carbs, bolted to 30” long manifolds which crossed over the cylinder block on opposite sides. This impressive looking arrangement, resulted in incredible low-end torque and upped the power ante to 375 horsepower. Drop one of these potent power plants into the smaller, lighter Dart, and for an extra $313.00, you had a package that could walk away from comparably equipped Polaras and Chryslers.   

It’s not surprising that Charles hasn’t seen a 1961 Dart in many years. First of all, Chrysler cars of the fifties and sixties were not known for their longevity. Mechanically, they were very sound machines, particularly the drivetrains, including their renowned engines and transmissions. Body issues, however, were often major in terms of corrosion, rust... whatever you want to call it. Second, sales of Chrysler products often lagged behind their GM and Ford counterparts. And finally, as if that wasn’t enough, this particular model was shunned from the start by new car buyers.

When the very first Dart was introduced in 1960, Mopar’s plan was to offer a smaller, lower priced car that Dodge dealers could use to compete with Plymouth. Dart sales were so strong that Dodge had to cut back production of its larger cars, eliminating the full sized Matador in the process, in order to keep up with the demand for Darts. Adding to the issue was the fact that entry level Darts were snatched up by commercial fleet buyers, taxi companies and law enforcement agencies. Top brass did not intervene on behalf of the Plymouth division and sales of Plymouths suffered accordingly.

Nineteen sixty-one was a different story, however.  Consumers never did warm up to the rather odd styling, sculpted by otherwise highly-respected Virgil Exner, designer of the ‘forward look’ introduced Mopar-wide five years earlier.

Notable styling cues included a large, concave grill up front, which I personally find rather appealing. The problem, for most potential automobile buyers for 1961, was the rather strange, reverse fins which adorned the rear quarters.

Another styling idiosyncrasy was the taillight design. The wrap around fin didn’t leave much room for large taillights, and the slender, wraparound lenses, intended to provide visibility from the side, actually projected more light t the side than to the rear. Drivers of other cars complained that they couldn’t see the taillights on the Darts if they were close behind, as when sitting at a stop light. So bad was the problem, that Chrysler introduced a bolt on, auxiliary tail/stop light mid year, that bolted on top of the rear bumper.  You can imagine what THAT did for the look! Again, while overall unconventional, the style worked for me.

Topping off the scheme was that unique, semi-fastback roof line on the two door coupes... the one that, as Charles pointed out, you could look up, when seated in the back, and see the sky above you. That feature was not unique to the Chrysler product, however, as similar coupe roofs in the GM line from 1959 and 1960, shared the characteristic.

Popular convenience accessories on the Dodge option list for 1961 included:

• power steering ($77.00)
• power brakes ($43.00)
• Torqueflite automatic transmission ($211.00)
• power seats ($96.00)
• power windows ($102.00)
• ‘Music Master’ AM radio ($59.00)
• windshield washer ($12.00)
• electric clock ($16.00)
• remote controlled outside mirror ($18.00)

All season comfort was offered via Chrysler’s efficient ‘Air Temp’ air conditioning system for another $446.00.  Tinted glass added to the efficiency of this option for $43.00 additional, a worthwhile expenditure.  And what self-respecting Dodge buyer wouldn’t want to dress up his new Dart with white sidewall tires?  Add another thirty-three bucks.

Sixteen hues with creative monikers made up the 1961 Dodge exterior color chart:

• Bamboo
• Silver Gray
• Glacier Blue
• Vermilion
• Marlin Blue
• Rose Mist
• Spring Green
• Aztec Gold
• Frosted Mint
• Snow
• Cactus
• Buckskin
• Roman Bronze
• Nassau Green
• Midnight
• Turquoise

Okay, that last one wasn’t very creative.  It must have been near quitting time when they titled that one!

Love it or loath it, one thing you have to admit– the 1961 Dodge Dart, and for that matter the Polara, were uniquely styled automobiles, sure to appeal to buyers who were daring enough to be different. And who wouldn’t love to own a rag top like the one above, all decked out in ‘Vermilion’... one of sixteen colors on the 1961 Dodge pallet?

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Trivia Questions (answers below)

Dart Trivia Questions of the Week:

1. The 1960 and 1961 Dodge Darts were available in three sub series.  The Phoenix was the top-of-the-line Dart.  What were the names of the entry and mid level Darts?

2. Besides a young man who works baggage in the main terminal at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, who (or what) is Seneca?

3. Mickey Mantle became the highest paid player in Major League Baseball in the year 1961.  How much did his contract guarantee per season?

A. $43,000.00
B. $75,000.00
C. $175,000.00
D. $602,000.00
E. $1,000,000.00

4. In 1961, team player Bernie ‘Boom-Boom’ Geoffrion was elected most valuable player of the year.

• What was his sport?
• What was the name of the award?
• What team was he playing for?

5. Formed in 1961, this Dutch rock band has sold millions of albums world-wide and is the oldest rock bank in the world that is still performing today.  One of their best known chart toppers is the 1973 hit, ‘Radar Love’.  Name this band.

6. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” was the question asked, in the song by that name, in 1961, by what pop female group?

7. On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy created a new federal agency whose goal would be to improve education, agriculture and living standards in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and eventually Eastern Europe.  What was the name of this organization and what was the name of the president’s Westminster, Maryland-born brother-in-law who headed this agency?

8. Name the American jazz pianist who performed the 1961 hit, “Take Five”.

Dart Trivia Answers of the Week:

1. The 1960 and 1961 Dodge Darts were available in three sub series.  The Phoenix was the top-of-the-line Dart.  What were the names of the entry and mid level Darts?
The entry level ‘stripper’ was called the Seneca and, occupying the next rung up the ladder was the Pioneer.

2. Besides a young man who works baggage in the main terminal at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, who (or what) is Seneca?
One of five groups of Native American Indians that formed the ‘Five Nations’– an early confederation of Iroquoian peoples.  The other four were the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas and Cayugas.

3. Mickey Mantle became the highest paid player in Major League Baseball in the year 1961.  How much did his contract guarantee per season?

A. $43,000.00
B. $75,000.00
C. $175,000.00
D. $602,000.00
E. $1,000,000.00

4. In 1961, team player Bernie ‘Boom-Boom’ Geoffrion was elected most valuable player of the year.

• What was his sport? • hockey
• What was the name of the award? • Hart Memorial Trophy
• What team was he playing for? • Montreal Canadiens

5. Formed in 1961, this Dutch rock band has sold millions of albums world-wide and is the oldest rock bank in the world that is still performing today.  One of their best known chart toppers is the 1973 hit, ‘Radar Love’.  Name this band.
Golden Earring

6. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” was the question asked, in the song by that name, in 1961, by what pop female group?
The Shirelles

7. On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy created a new federal agency whose goal would be to improve education, agriculture and living standards in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and eventually Eastern Europe.  What was the name of this organization and what was the name of the president’s Westminster, Maryland-born brother-in-law who headed this agency?
The newly formed federal agency was the Peace Corps of Young Americans for Overseas Service.  It was headed up by Kennedy’s brother-in-law, (Robert) Sargent Shriver.

8. Name the American jazz pianist who performed the 1961 hit, “Take Five”.
Dave Brubeck.

EVENT REPORT:
Things got off to a slow start Sunday at the GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Illinois for the 5th Annual, KSHE Rock & Roll All American Car Show. The field was pretty sparse when my trusty assistant, Pablo Rodrieguez and I arrived around nine. It was cool and overcast and we speculated that many would be car owners and spectators were holding out to see if media news reports predicting a wet day, would come true. That was not the case, fortunately, and as the morning moved toward high noon, the cars kept rolling in and the spectator lot began to swell with vehicles. This was only my second time to attend this show, and just like before, I saw some interesting wheels for the first time ever.

I would like to thank Mike Overby of O’Reilly Auto Parts in Collinsville, and Karen Gibson and Don Hilmer of Advance Auto Parts, also in Collinsville, for their generous contributions of car care products which were given away for correctly answering The FIN MAN’s trivia questions at the KSHE car show. I’m sure they will all be put to good use as we enter the summer cruising season!