1961 Dodge Dart

Dodge introduced a slightly smaller line of cars for the 1960 model year in preparation for the demise of the DeSoto marque. Their Dart model rested on a short 118-inch wheelbase and was four inches shorter than the larger Dodge. The new Dart was powered by the 225 CID 'Slant Six,' with optional eight-cylinder engines in sizes of 318, 361, and 383 CID. For 1961, the Dart was given a styling update which included reverse-slanting fins in the rear. In the front, the concave grille extended the entire width of the vehicle, with quad headlights set at either end. In the center, just above the grille, was the Dodge name in block letters.

Dodge offered three versions of the Dart for 1961, consisting of the Dart Seneca, the Dart Pioneer, and the Dart Phoenix. The Seneca was the base level Dart and came equipped with chrome rear window moldings and windshield, and a single chrome stripe that traveled along the top of the fin. The Seneca name could be found directly below the fins. Inside, the Seneca was given front armrests, sun visors, turn signals, and electric windshield wipers. Body styles included a 2- and 4-door sedan along with a station wagon. Dodge produced 66,100 examples of the Seneca passenger car during the 1961 model year. The Dart convertible, only ever available in the Phoenix series, was now sold with V-8 only.

The intermediate Dodge Dart model was the Pioneer which was given all the features found on the Seneca, plus rear armrests, front foam cushion, and cigarette lighter. Body styles included a 2- and 4-door sedan, a hardtop coupe, and a 6- and 9-passenger Station Wagon. The 'Pioneer' name could be found in script at the rear of the rear fender fins.

The top trim level on the Dart was the Phoenix. It had all of the features found on the other two Dart models plus exterior moldings, custom interior upholstery, additional trim, and back-up lights.

Dodge produced 37,300 Phoenixes and 38,600 examples of the Pioneer for 1961.

Mechanical Specification
The 1961 Dode Dart rested on a 118-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 209.4 inches. The station wagons had slightly different dimensions, with a wheelbase of 122 inches and a length of 214.8 inches. The chassis was integrated with a one-piece unitized body with box section engine mount. It rode on 14-inch Safety-Rim wheels with 7.50 x 14 tubeless tires. (The wagons and convertibles had 8.00 x 14 tires) The 8.00 x 14 tires were optional on other body styles, and the 8.50 x 14 were optional on 9-passenger station wagons. The stopping power was by hydraulic Total-Contact 11-inch brakes with Cyclebond lining. The parking brake operated independently of service brakes, with the standard transmission receiving an external contracting parking brake, while the PowerFlite, TorqueFlite, and TorqueFlit Six transmissions had an internal expanding parking brake.

The standard rear axle ratio was 3.54 to 1 (3-speed manual). A 3.31 to 1 was standard on the optional TorqueFlite and PowerFlite transmission; 2.93 to 1 was optional with TorqueFlite.

The suspension was the Dodge 'Torsion-Aire Ride' system with torsion springing at the front and semi-elliptical springs mounted outboard. The rear axle was clamped forward on the rear springs to absorb the torque. There were direct-acting Oriflow shock absorbers, new ball joints, anti-brake dip, and full rubber insulation.

The 12-volt alternator, pioneered on the 1960 compact Valiant, was extended to all Chrysler products.

The 225 cubic-inch overhead valve Slant Six engine had a cast iron block (albeit, some of the engines were built from aluminum blocks), 8.2:1 compression, a one-barrel Carter carburetor, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, and delivered 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The Hyper-Pak 225 CID 'Slant Six' had 8.2:1 compression, tuned exhaust headers, a Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor, and produced 195 horsepower at 5,200 RPM.

The optional 318 cubic-inch 90-degree V8 engine had overhead valves, a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a cast iron block, 9.0:1 compression, and produced 230 horsepower at 4,400 RPM.

The 361 cubic-inch V8 engine was optional with two-barrel or four-barrel carburetors, and with single or dual exhaust. It had a cast iron block, five main bearings, and hydraulic valve lifters. With a Stromber two-barrel carburetor, the engine produced 265 bhp at 4,400 RPM. With a Carter four-barrel carburetor, it produced 305 bhp at 4,800 RPM.

The 383 CID V8 was a new addition for 1961. The Dart D-500 engine displaced 383 cubic inches and had a cast iron block, 10.0:1 compression, a pair of Carter four-barrel carburetors, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and produced 325 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. The Super D-500 had 10.0:1 compression, two Carter four-barrel carburetors, and produced 350 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. The Super Ram-Tuned D-500 had two Carter four-barrel carburetors and produced 375 bhp at 5,000 RPM.

Dodge Dart Seneca
The two-door, six-passenger sedan was priced at $2,275, the sedan at $2,330, and the four-door, six-passenger station wagon at $2,695. The Seneca was the most popular of the Dart trim levels (passenger car), with approximately 66,100 examples built.

The addition of the base eight-cylinder engine boosted the base price by approximately $110.

Dodge Dart Pioneer
The two-door sedan was priced at $2,410, the four-door sedan at $2,460, the hardtop coupe at $2,490, the six-passenger wagon at $2,790, and the nine-passenger wagon at $2,890. A total of 38,600 Pioneer passenger cars were constructed during the 1961 model year.

The addition of the base eight-cylinder engine boosted the base price by approximately $110.

Dodge Dart Phoenix
The two-door sedan was priced at $2,600, the four-door sedan at $2,600, the hardtop coupe at $2,620, and the convertible at nearly $3,000. The standard engine was a six-cylinder unit, with the eight-cylinder boosting the base price by approximately $110. The convertible was solely offered with eight-cylinder power. Approximately 37,300 examples of the Phoenixes were built during the 1961 model year.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2014