History About The Dodge Dart: Chrysler Corporation elected to divide the Dodge and Plymouth dealership network in 1960 allowing showrooms to be individualized with the model series offered by each manufacturer. Dodge continued to appeal to more affluent buyers, so an effort was made to offer a more affordable full-size model to pull in some of the Plymouth traffic. Born from this endeavor was the Dart, borrowing the 118" wheelbase from Plymouth's unibody chassis. It would have engines options ranging from the durable 225ci Slant-Six up to the High-performance 383ci V8's with D-500 dual quad carburetion!
The Dart models consisted of the entry level Seneca, mid-range Pioneer, and premium level Phoenix. Sales were brisk and the Dart became a clear success! By 1961, Virgil Exner brought about some one-year only design aspects to the Dart that included a concave front grill with headlights inset on the outer edges, reverse sculpted fins where the larger edge began at mid fender and grew smaller towards the rear, all wrapping into a scalloped fenders with small taillights positioned low just above the bumper. Mid-way through the year, the Dodge dealer network offered round taillights as an extra cost option to be installed for better brake light visibility, which our example has showcased here.
About Our Available Dodge Dart Phoenix Example: We are proud to offer for sale a gorgeous 1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix D-500 Convertible finished in factory code correct BB1- Midnight (Black) with a Black convertible top of correct 325- Red Vinyl & Cloth interior! This fine Phoenix D-500 example has been restored to an excellent, show-level condition throughout! Under the hood rests its original 383ci High Performance V8 with D-500 dual carburetion resting on the impressive Cross Ram tuned intake system to produce 340 horsepower and 460 lb. ft. of torque! Options include pushbutton TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission, AM radio, power folding convertible top, heater/defrost, chrome full wheel covers, Goodyear Custom Super Cushion 8.00-14 1.5" whitewall tires, and a fender-mounted rearview mirror.
Hailing from the prestigious "Cars From Dreams" collection in late 2012, it would sell on to new enthusiast owners from the Oneonta, New York area and stay in their collection for the past 9 years. The restoration continues to present remarkably well with the paint quality nothing short of exceptional. The same can said for the complete interior, convertible top, chrome & stainless, etc. It represents one of only 68 Dart Phoenix convertibles built with this D-500 powertrain, and one of just 6 in this outstanding color combination! A rare piece of Dodge history that can be immediately shown and driven with confidence! Documented historically in the D-500 registry, it will come with 2 sets of ignition keys, one trunk key, one key blank, and factory owner's manual. Act quickly as cars of this rarity and condition do not come about very often!
To learn more about this beautiful Dodge Dart for sale, contact Jon Faust by calling (800)957-5707 or by emailing info@stlouiscarmuseum.com. Thanks for looking!
