Simon Cars - Dodge Dart 1962

Dodge Dart 1962

This new body was designed to combat rumoured small General Motors cars, which didn't materialise and the shorter Darts suffered sales as a consequence. During development Chrysler changed its President and the new one cancelled the designs for all the larger Chryslers but had to continue with the smaller Dodge and Plymouths designed by Virgil Exner. The 1962 car was only 2-inches shorter in the wheelbase, though overall length was down by 7-inches. There was modest restyling for 1963 and a 6-inch increase in length but the Dart name was dropped on these B-body cars which were were sold by trim names such as '330' or 'Polara' or 'Polara 500'. The '440' could be specified with 6,981cc (426) Wedge V8. Modest restyling and an extra one inch was given in 1964. Meanwhile a new 111-inch Dart ran alongside from 1963.

aa Dodge 330 1963 2-door sedan 426 badge3

Dodge 330 1963 2-door sedan 426. The 330 was a mid-range trim for the 1963 above that of Dodge Standard. Since the 'Dart' name had been gifted to a new compact model, the B-body cars continued with 330 and 440 trim levels.

aa Dodge 330 1963 2-door sedan 426 badgeh

Dodge 330 1963 2-door sedan 426. 'Hemi' badge on the power scoop for the 6,974cc (426) Wedge head 415bhp Ramcharger V8 engine.

aa Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413 badged

Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413 - badge on front wing. The '440' was the highest level of trim on the 1962 Dart

ac Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413 head

Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413. The Ramcharger 413 engine was 6.8-litre 'wedge head' unit from larger Chrysler cars and offered 375bhp in the small Dart body.

Dodge 330 1963 2-door sedan 426 front

Dodge 330 1963 2-door sedan 426. Chrysler offered its 7-litre 426 Wedge Head V8 as an option, and thus created one of the best Strip cars of the period

Dodge 330 1963 2-door sedan 426 rear

Dodge 330 1963 2-door sedan 426. The 330 was a mid-range trim for the Dodge Standard, and the 'Dart' name was dropped from this car for 1963 and given to the new A-body compact car. The Dodge standard grew 6-inches for 1963 (and another inch for 1964) with Virgil Exner sharpening the styling amongst his final acts.

Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413 front

Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413. A new Chrysler B-body on a shorter 116-inch wheelbase was given for 1962 with trim levels of 'Dart', 'Dart 330', and this 'Dart 440'.

Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413 rear

Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413. The '440' was rge highest trim level on the 1962 Dodge Dart. 1962 Darts were now available as 2 or 4-door sedans, 2 or 4-door hardtops, convertibles and Station Wagons

l Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413 lamps

Dodge Dart 1962 440 Ramcharger 413 - rear lamps

Dodge 440 1964 2-door Sedan front

Dodge 440 1964 2-door Sedan. Dodge had introduced the 440 as a better trimmed Dodge Dart in 1962 on the 116-inch wheelbase. For 1964 it was given the larger 119-inch wheelbase of the Polara

Plymouth Belvedere 1962 Hardtop front

Plymouth Belvedere 1962 Hardtop. All Chrysler cars had a new body for 1962. The Belvedere was a mid-sized Plymouth that was given a new 3.7-litre slant six in 1960, but there was also an optional 6.3-litre V8

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