1966 Dodge Dart

The 1966 Dodge Dart continued to wear the same body as the one it had worn for the past three years, with a re-styled anodized aluminum grille and oval taillights. Standard equipment included chrome windshield and rear window moldings, no side chrome, and the Dodge name across the vertical section of the trunk lid and on the front of the hood. They had a heater and defroster, electric windshield wipers, a manual transmission, and a 170 cubic-inch Slant Six engine. As per newly required Federal Safety Standards, the Darts were given back-up lights and emergency flashers. An outside rearview mirror also became standard.

The Dart rested on a 111-inch wheelbase, while its Coronet sibling had a 117-inch platform while the Polara, Monaco, and Monaco 500 used a 121-inch wheelbase. Body styles included a two- and four-door sedan, priced at $2,100 and $2,160 respectively, and a four-door station wagon with seating for six, priced at $2,435. Approximately 29,800 were built in 1966, with approximately 8,400 equipped with V8 powerplants.

The Dart 270 was the intermediate trim level and included all the Dart features plus Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel, full horn ring and vinyl trim on the convertible, and carpeting. Body styles were the same as the 'base' Dart, plus added a convertible and two-door hardtop. Approximately 35,100 examples of the Dart 270 were built, with approximately 6,600 equipped with V8 engines.

The Dodge Dart GT was the top trim level for the Dart and included all the 270 features plus a padded instrument panel, wheel covers, and bucket seats. They also had a special emblem on the roof 'C' pillar and chrome rocker panel trim. Body styles included a hardtop priced at $2,415 and $2,700 for the convertible. Approximately 18,700 examples of the GT were built in 1966, with approximately 10,000 equipped with V8 power.

Drag Racing
While most of the lower-level Stock classes were being dominated by small block-powered 1955-57 Chevys and other more economical cars, factories continued to offer their customers exotic upgrades to compete in the high-profile Super Stock and FX classes. Product managers at Chrysler's Dodge Division recognized that an identity gap existed between the factory race cars and the so-called 'Junior Stockers', many of which served double duty as both daily drivers and weekend warriors. In efforts to attract more budget-oriented buyers and fill the gap between hobby and Pro, Dodge began offering the now-famous D/Dart.

1966 was the second year for the 273 cubic-inch high-performance motor, and Mopar installed 50 of these in the 'D' Dart, designed to compete against Ford Mustangs and Chevy II in the competitive D/ stock class. Although only fifty left the factory, the performance accessories were available at the local Dodge dealership, allowing the public to create their own 12 second quarter mile car.

The D/Dart was a lightweight racer available from the dealer's showroom floor and ready to compete in NHRA and AHRA's D/Stock class. When sales code 699 was selected, a 273 cubic-inch engine with 275 horsepower was installed in the Dart, fitted with a Camcraft 284-degree .500-inch lift cam, Racer Brown solid lifters, a special intake manifold, Holley 4160 4-barrel carburetor, low restriction air cleaner, Doug Thorley headers, and a dual point distributor. The 273's torque was sent through a Weber clutch through a Hurst-shifted A833 heavy-duty four-speed to a 4.86-geared 8¾ Sure-Grip differential. To cope with the power, a heavy-duty suspension was installed. The interior was devoid of radio and heater but added bucket seats.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013