1965 Dodge Dart

The Dodge Dart was introduced in 1960, completely restyled in 1962 and given a two-inch shorter wheelbase (at 116-inches), a new convertible body style in 1963, minor trim and styling updates in 1964, and a new grille with a flat grid design in 1965. When the Dart arrived in 1960, it was a downsized version of Dodge's larger full-size car, but after the compact Lancer was removed from the lineup following the 1962 model year, the Dart became the new compact in the Dodge lineup, although slightly larger than the Lancer it replaced. It would continue its role as 'compact,' although 'senior compact' is more appropriate given its 4.5-inch additional length and 5.5-inch larger wheelbase than the Lancer, through 1966.

1965 Dodge Models
The Dart 170 was the 'base' Dart, the Dart 270 was the intermediate trim level, and the Dart GT was the top trim level. Above the Dart Series was the intermediate Coronet, Coronet 440 Series, and Coronet 500 resting on a 117-inch wheelbase and powered by both six- and eight-cylinder engines. within the Coronet series, the Coronet was the 'base', the Coronet 440 was the intermediate trim level, and the Coronet 550 was the top trim level. Dodge's line of full-size vehicles, resting on a 121-inch wheelbase, included the Polara, Custom 880 and Monaco. The Polara was the 'base' full-size model and the Custom 880 was a higher trim level that came with additional standard features. The Monaco was available only as a two-door hardtop, came standard with a 383 CID V8 with 315 horsepower, and built to compete directly with Pontiac's Grand Prix. With a price of $3,300, they were the most expensive passenger car in the Dodge lineup, with only the Custom 880 station wagons having a higher base price.

Dart 170
The Dart 170 continued to use the design and wheelbase dimensions introduced in 1963, albeit with minor updates along the way. Unique styling cues for the 1965 Dart 170 included a new grille with a flat grid design, new oval taillights, and minor styling revisions to the trim work. It had chrome around the windshield and rear window moldings, a single horizontal chrome strip along the body side, a Dodge crest on the hood, and the 'Dodge' name (in block letters) at the back of the rear fender chrome strip. Standard equipment included a 170 CID 'Slant' Six engines, electric windshield wipers, a heater and a defroster.

The Dart 170 four-door sedan had a base price of $2,110, the two-door sedan listed for $2,050, and the station wagon at $2,375.

Front seat belts became standard in 1965, and new optional equipment included upgraded suspension components, factory-installed air conditioning became available after the start of the 1965 model year, as well as disc brakes, which required the larger 14-inch wheels and tires (a new option for 1965) to clear the calipers.

Dart 270
The Dodge Dart 270 was priced from $2,150 to $2,450 with the six-cylinder engine, and from $2,250 to $2,570 with the V8. The Dart 270 added carpeting, vinyl trim on the convertible, and Deluxe two-spoke steering with full horn ring. Body styles included a two-door sedan priced at $2,150 with the six and $2,250 with the V8. The four-door sedan listed for $2,220 with the six and $2,315 with the V8. The two-door hardtop was $2,245 (six-cyl.), the convertible at $2,445 (six-cyl), and the station wagon at $2,470. The eight-cylinder version of the station wagon listed for $2,570 and the convertible at $2,540.

Dart GT
The Dart GT was available as a two-door hardtop and a convertible. Additional amenities included wheel covers, bucket seats, and a padded instrument panel. There was a special 'GT' emblem on the roof 'C' pillar, stone shields on the rear fenders, and three chrome louvers behind the front wheel opening.

Dart Charger
The Dart Charger was the first production Dodge models to bear the 'Charger' name. Dodge had also used the 'Charger' name on a concept car in 1964. In 1966, Dodge introduced the larger B-body Dodge Charger. The Dart Charger were yellow Dart GT hardtops with black interiors and a black vinyl top, upgraded mechanical trim and specifications, unique 'Charger' badging, and the Commando 273 V8 engine. They rode on mag wheels and wore special 'Dart Charger 273' emblems on the fender. Transmission options included the three-speed automatic and the Hurst four-speed manual.

Dodge built 180 examples of the Dart Charger with an additional 300 examples available as dealer-installed kits.

Engines
The 170 cubic-inch inline-six had overhead valves, solid valve lifters, an 8.4:1 compression ratio, a Carter one-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, and delivered 101 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The 170 CID engine with a four-speed manual transmission was a $152 option. The TorqueFlite added $140, or $148 when mated to a V8.

The 225 CID inline Six was a $39 option, also with solid valve lifters, four main bearings, an 8.4:1 compression ratio, similar carburetor, and delivering 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM.

The 273 cubic-inch V8 with overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a Carter two-barrel carburetor, was priced at $81 and delivered 180 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. A new performance version of the 273 CID joined the lineup, gaining a four-barrel carburetor, a more aggressive camshaft with solid tappets, and 10.5:1 compression, boosting power to 235 horsepower.

Production
Dodge built approximately 306,603 examples of the Dart in 1960, approximately 142,000 in 1961 (the same year the compact Lancer was introduced), approx. 165,861 in 1962, approx. 140,900 in 1963, approx. 181,300 in 1964, and approx. 177,300 in 1965. note: these figures do not include station wagon production, as those totals often included combined totals with other models.

Dodge built approximately 73,800 examples of the Dart 170 passenger cars during the 1965 model year, plus 62,800 Dart 270 passenger cars, and 40,700 of the Dart GTs. An additional 29,400 examples of the station wagons were built in all of the Dart series. The combined 1965 Dodge Dart production, including station wagons, was 206,631 vehicles for approximately 42-percent of Dodge's total production, helping the company attain 6.2-percent of the total United States automobile market share.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021