Before the Dart became a long-running Dodge compact, it was both a mid-size (1962) and a full-size car (1960-61). It was based on a Plymouth platform, so the 1960 Dart rode on a shorter wheelbase than other big Dodges. The seller has a low-mileage ’60 Dart Phoenix, which was the premium model in the Dart roster. It’s been inactive for several years, though the seller has recently gotten it running, with more work needed. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this two-tone Mopar is waiting for the first bid of $15,000 here on eBay. And there is a reserve to be met after that.
Three trim levels of the Dart were offered in 1960. From bottom to top, they were the Seneca, Pioneer, and Phoenix (like this white over red 2-door hardtop). This car has been in the same family since the 1970s, and documentation exists that can substantiate the low mileage of 9,022. However, why the car was seldom used over the past 50+ years isn’t mentioned. We’re told it’s been in a garage for many moons, and the brakes are shot at this point (only the emergency brake will bring it to a stop).
The popular 318 cubic inch V8 was installed in this Dodge at the factory, along with the typical Chrysler push-button automatic transmission. The fuel system will need a flush, and the sending unit will probably be replaced. The seller suggests that the timing chain might be out of whack, as the distributor may need to be moved to get things going. The listing says the seating is leather, but was that even an option for the Dart in 1960? The interior looks okay except for one of the sun visors and the driver’s armrest.
There are a few little dings here and there, but no rust beyond the surface variety. The seller said the car was repainted when it was one year old (but why?), so the paint is only period-correct rather than factory. Besides doing anything but pushing the Dodge, a new set of tires will be needed, as the donuts on this Dart are also from the 1970s. If you’re looking for a post-“Forward Look” era Dodge to lightly restore, this might be a suitable candidate.
A jumped timing chain at 9K miles? Seems kinda odd that the distributor was moved a tooth.
Otherwise, a nice looking ’60 Dart, I’d love to own it.
I was told my dad had to move the distributor a notch at one point. Unfortunately he’s not around any more to ask any questions about that. This car has been used very little since the late 80s
Having been repainted when it was a year old, I wonder if the original color was the fleshy beige MoPars used that year—the interior is two-tone brown, which leads me to believe there was a color change. 9K miles on it; I’d look for the build sheet under the rear seat cushion springs. Overall, not a bad car; the brakes can be fixed NP. Is the gas tank cleaned?
The firewall is red.
I can’t remember if my dad had the tank cleaned at one point. I thought I heard he did, but I also heard no one ever did, so I’ll see if our family friend knows. From the undercarriage picture on the eBay auction, the exterior certainly looks pretty clean. I also uploaded the data build plate to the eBay auction that has the original paint code.
Wrong car but the pictures look like the scene from Christine where Arnie is buying the car.
No where close to the Christine condition. His was #5 rough. This one varies between a #4 to #3, I think. Lots of questions.
This is my car. What questions do you have? It was originally my uncles car, and then my dad inherited it and now I’ve had it for the last few years after he passed away. I’ll try to answer whatever questions you have to the best of my knowledge.
Leather was not optional on any `60 Dart models.
All-nylon was the standard Phoenix interior.
This car has the optional all-vinyl interior, that was also optional on Dart Pioneer 2 door & 4 door hardtops and wagons.
Automatic swivel seats were also optional on Phoenix.
That 318 was only standard on Phoenix models.
The 225 /6 was standard on Dart Pioneer & Dart Seneca.
This is 1 of 20,525 Phoenix 2 door hardtops in the US, 511 in Canada.
That brake pedal wear is not only 9K miles of use however.
Update:
That 318 was originally intended as the standard engine on Phoenix models per the brochure.
But the 225 /6 was standard on Phoenix as it was on Dart Pioneer & Dart Seneca.
1960 Dodge Dart Production numbers verify that /6 Phoenix models were produced as follows:
1473-US/175-CAN 2 door hardtops
3069-US/236-CAN 4 door sedans
1008-US/83-CAN 4 door hardtops
3-US 2 seat station wagons
1-US 3 seat station wagon
519-US convertibles
The car has 9,022 miles.
Thanks for this info btw. I’ve had this car for 6 years after my dad passed away and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of information on these early 60’s Dodge Phoenix’s. Seems like there’s not a lot of information on these cars out there. Myself, my dad and uncle were mostly Cadillac guys, which is why this Dodge didn’t get used much.
When cars with this styling were more common, I remember thinking
“by the year 2020 we’ll have flying cars.
Since I didn’t my “Jetson’s flying car”, this will do.
Sergeant Carter’s car on Gomer Pyle!
Which was switched out to a cheaper Dart Seneca 2 door sedan right before the wrecking ball drops, if you watch the full episode on YouTube.
My first thought about Sgt Carter as soon as I saw this.
These have to some of the uglyest cars for 1960,, But I’d probably drive it cause its different,,I don’t think sold too well either.
The Dart was a big seller for Dodge in 1960. The base Seneca’s production was ~139k while Dodge produced a total of ~368k cars in 1960. Dodge’s production in 1959 totaled ~156k.
Looks like 109K miles
This is my car and it’s definitely not 109,000 miles. My uncle was the second owner around 1972, and the original owner barely drove it. My uncle drove it very little, and after he passed away in 2006, my dad moved it out of storage and it’s basically sat ever since. They all had a lot of cars, and this Dodge kind of fell by the wayside.
This is a Dodge you’d be hard pressed to see even at a all Mopar car show. I thought these years were good looking cars and always loved those clear lucite steering wheels. He says the mileage is verifiable but those pedals seem to tell another story. A nice old Dodge though which probably wouldn’t take too much to bring it back.
Maybe I should have cleaned the pedals off before taking the picture, they’re just dirty. It’s definitely 9,022 miles and not 109,022. The steering wheel and vinyl seats would have wear and tear if it was 109k. My uncle got the car from the original owner around 1972 and he barely drove it (Pennsylvania inspection papers from the late 70s and early 80s verify the mileage). In fact, I never even knew he owned this car until after he passed away. Unfortunately it’s sat around for most of it’s life and I just want it to find a new home where it can get finally get some use.
My father bought a new 1960 Dart Seneca two door sedan. It was spruce green and was bare bones. The only options he ordered were the 318 engine and backup lights. In 1967, he bought a new Plymouth Fury 3. It was fully loaded. What a difference. Both were good cars. Looking at the pictures of this example, and remembering back, it appears the spare tire is an original Goodyear. Of course, ours was not a whitewall.
There was one in my neighborhood that the owner removed the mini-fins and leaded in the quarter panel. Really looked sharp !!
I was looking for a certain car decades ago and was told it was wherever,don’t remember exactly where but at least an hour away and I did find a red Dodge 2 dr ht like this one in a field , never followed up on it , looked to be in pretty good shape, (kick myself now) now the fins make um bigger like Cadillacs or like the Chryslers, the grill and bumper were way over board
please explain in more detail how the ‘brakes are shot’.
I wouldn’t necessarily say the “brakes are shot”. That’s the wording of whoever posted this here (I was wondering why the eBay listing had spiked today). We added fluid to the master cylinder (it was pretty empty), but didn’t bleed the brakes because it would be too hard working on this in the garage it’s currently in. I know when my dad moved this car years ago the brakes were pretty spongy and he had meant to fix it but life got in the way and then he got sick
This appears in every way as having the mileage indicated. Those pebbled brake pedal covers are worn only on the dots and only at the lower right quadrant, it’s a combination of just not moving the right foot far to the left and maybe resting the foot on the pedal.
My ’66 Bonneville has a wide pedal like this and all of the wear on the rubber was along the right 2-3 inches and lower corner.
Amazed at how little rust is on this car.
The split driver’s side handle/armrest is normal. The rest of the interior is perfect.
As described by the seller, this car sat for decades inside, and needs to be awakened.
Had I an indoor spot for this I’d be on it in a heartbeat. It’s not for everyone, but when the right one comes long this’ll go for $15K.
Really nice car, GLWTA
This is a pretty rare find and a future collectible but there are some reasons for concern :Can the mileage totally be counted on to be accurate the brakes needing attention at such mileage is a red flag, this car needs to be thoroughly checked out before purchase considering its 66 years old, pictures can be deceiving besides that it appears to be ok- what about the front end? transmission? And what about the engine not starting correctly what other surprises can be waiting for its new owner??
This is my car and it’s been basically sitting most of the time I owned it (since 2021) and when my dad owned it (2006-2021). My uncle was the owner before my dad and he barely drove it. So no doubt the wheel cylinders will need to be replaced due to inactivity. What questions do you have about the transmission or front end? And can you clarify about the engine not starting correctly? If you’re talking about my dad moving the distributor a notch to get it started, this was years ago. And I’m not 100% sure about it. I just thought I’d disclose it so there was no surprises because I was always told it needed a timing chain, and unfortunately he has passed away so I can’t ask him about it. When we got it started last month, all we did was remove the spark plugs, and turn the engine manually. Put some gas down the carburetor and it started up