Dart
1969 Dodge Dart
Manufacturer: Dodge
Parent company: Chrysler Corporation
Production 1960-1976
Predecessor: Dodge Lancer (For compact version)
Successor: Dodge Aspen
Class Full-size (1960-61)
Mid-size: (1962)
Compact: (1963-1976)
Layout: FR layout
Related: Plymouth Valiant;
Chrysler Valiant
Our 1969 Dodge Dart, a National Record Holder formally owned by Charlie Smith, is a show stopper to say the least. This is the latest addition to the Nasty Fish Racing family and we look forward to racing this special car.
History (Extract from Wikipedia)
The Dart and its sister model, the Plymouth Valiant, were significantly redesigned for the 1967 model year. In addition to new styling, the cars received revised steering systems, wider front track (and wider spaced rails) and redesigned K-members capable of accepting physically larger engines. The Dart would keep this basic form, with a face lift consisting of revised front and rear end styling and interior trim, until the end of A-body production in 1976 (U.S./Canada/Mexico) and 1981 (South America).
The restyled Dart for 1967 featured a rear window with compound inverse curves. This created a unique appearance at the rear of the greenhouse, but tended to collect snow and created thick C-pillars that looked formal but created blindspots for drivers. Curved side glass was used for the first time on a Chrysler compact. Up front, there was a new dual-plane front end contour: the center section of the grille, bumper and leading edge of the hood were recessed from the front plane of the car. The single headlamps were placed forward of the recessed center section, defining the front plane. Park/turn lamps were set into the grille, in the corners formed by the transition area between the recessed and forward sections. This same front end treatment, with minor cosmetic changes to the grille and the park/turn lamps relocated to the front bumper, was also used by Chrysler Australia for their 1967 VE-model Valiant.
With the new design, changes were made to the Dart line-up, beginning with the elimination of its station wagons and the base model’s “170″ designation. The only body styles were the 2 and 4 door sedans, the hardtop, and the convertible. The base 170 model was now badged simply as Dart. The 270 and GT versions carried on unchanged for the most part. In late 1967, the GTS model debuted but was built in limited quantities due to its lateness in the model year; the 1968 GTS would be, arguably, improved by fitting the new high-output 340 cu in (5.6 L) V8 engine as standard equipment.
The 2-door sedan was dropped at the end of 1968 and replaced with the Swinger 2-door hardtop for 1969. Also added was the Swinger 340.
