V8 vs. Commando v8
Through 1965 I don't believe Dodge considered the Dart as a performance car, more of an economy car. The Dart Chargers were were an LA Dealer concept, not Dodges. Meanwhile Plymouth was trying to compete with the Mustang and Falcon performance versions. Dodge didn't even try to compete in the Pony Car segment until 1970, six years after the introduction of the Mustang and Barracuda.
When I bought my '65 Dart GT in '66 it was a special order car, 273/235 4 speed, light yellow (881) with black vinyl top, white and gold interior, and 13" Cragar mags. Not another one in my area. There were '66 performance Darts around, and available at the dealership, Chuck Hutton Dodge. My dad wanted me to buy a new '66 Dart, but at the time they looked like Dodge just hung some square front fenders on a '65 Dart and they had a line speedometer, which I detested. Then there was the Inland shifter issue. Anyway, I chose to buy the slightly used '65 model and I'm glad I did, because it ran exceptionally strong for some reason.
No offense intended to owners of '66 Darts, just the memories of an 18 year old boy's decisions in choosing the first car he bought.
Through 1965 I don't believe Dodge considered the Dart as a performance car, more of an economy car. The Dart Chargers were were an LA Dealer concept, not Dodges. Meanwhile Plymouth was trying to compete with the Mustang and Falcon performance versions. Dodge didn't even try to compete in the Pony Car segment until 1970, six years after the introduction of the Mustang and Barracuda.
When I bought my '65 Dart GT in '66 it was a special order car, 273/235 4 speed, light yellow (881) with black vinyl top, white and gold interior, and 13" Cragar mags. Not another one in my area. There were '66 performance Darts around, and available at the dealership, Chuck Hutton Dodge. My dad wanted me to buy a new '66 Dart, but at the time they looked like Dodge just hung some square front fenders on a '65 Dart and they had a line speedometer, which I detested. Then there was the Inland shifter issue. Anyway, I chose to buy the slightly used '65 model and I'm glad I did, because it ran exceptionally strong for some reason.
No offense intended to owners of '66 Darts, just the memories of an 18 year old boy's decisions in choosing the first car he bought.
