1960 Dodge Phoenix Dart

As the 1950s came to a close and the 1960s came into view, the economic recession of 1958 had been responsible for the eventual demise of several marques, including Edsel, Continental, Imperial, and for the Chrysler Corporation - DeSoto. Chrysler reshuffled its line of vehicles to compensate for the loss of DeSoto. Dodge gained a smaller line of cars to complement its full-size line. The new model was called the Dart and it rested on a 118-inch wheelbase that was four inches shorter than the larger Dodge. Standard Dodges received the 361 CID V8 while the Dart was offered with the 225-CID 'Slant Six.'

Dodge's full-size line included the Matador and the Polara. The Matador would end up being a single-year model and would not return in 1961. The Polara was the top trim level in the full-size line and the most expensive Dodge model, with prices that topped out at $3,500.

The new Dart line consisted of the base Dart Seneca, the intermediate Dart Pioneer, and the top-trim Dart Phoenix. The Seneca listed from $2,275 to $2,700, the Pioneer at $2,400 to $2,800, and the range-topping Phoenix at $2,600 to $2,900.

Standard features of the Seneca included a chrome license plate frame recessed into the trunk lid, chrome trim along the fin, chrome windshield, chrome rear window moldings, and the Seneca name along the side of the rear fender. There were sun visors, turn signals, electric windshield wipers, and front armrests.

The Pioneer added rear armrests, a cigarette lighter, and front foam cushions.

Seneca body styles included a two- and four-door sedan, and a station wagon. Pioneer body styles the Seneca body style, plus a 9-passenger wagon and a hardtop coupe. The Phoenix was offered as a sedan, hardtop coupe, hardtop sedan, and convertible.

The Phoenix added Custom Upholstery, Custom interior trimmings, exterior moldings, and backup lights.

Within Dodge's arsenal of eight-cylinder engine options included a 318 CID V8 with 230 hp, a 361 CID V8 with 295 hp, a 383 CID V8 with 325 HP, and the D-500 381 CID V8 with 320 horsepower. It used two Carter four-barrel carburetors on 30-inch 'cross-ram induction' manifolds.

Optional equipment on Dodge models included a Music Master radio, PowerFlite and TorqueFlite transmission, power steering, power brakes, electric clock, and Air Temp air conditioning.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016