Did Mother Nature Win? 1963 Dodge Dart GT

The awkwardly styled 1961-62 Dodge Lancer was a compact that went nowhere in sales. So, when Chrysler redesigned its compacts in 1963 (both Dodge and Plymouth), the Lancer name was dropped, and Dodge repositioned the Dart moniker to the new A-bodies. The GT was the stylish model and was available only as a hardtop or convertible. This ’63 GT coupe has been sitting in the woods for an undetermined amount of time, and Mother Nature has tried to reclaim it. Since it was rescued, it’s now in Freeland, Washington, and is available here on craigslist for $2,000.

Compacts were seen everywhere by 1963, and with the all-new Dart, so was Dodge. The wheelbase of 106 inches that the Lancer had was carried forward, but that was the only thing that didn’t change besides drivetrains. As a V8 was in the cards until 1964, only Slant-Six engines were available in any Dart in 1963, displacing either 170 or 225 cubic inches. The latter engine was much more powerful, picking up an extra 44 hp.

We don’t know which engine is in the seller’s field find, but it has Chrysler’s push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This was probably a good handling car back in the day because of Chrysler’s torsion-bar front suspension. This car’s odometer reads 50,000 miles, but does that really matter considering the neglect the vehicle has seen over the years? The seller believes the Dodge is complete, but how can you tell?

There is rust and dents all over the place, so fixing up the unibody may take some effort. The seller says the title status is “salvage,” and a “junk affidavit” has been signed. Maybe bringing this automobile back from the brink is less likely than using it for parts for a ’63 Dart that’s in better shape. 34,000 GTs were produced in 1963. Another nod goes to “Curvette” for all these great tips!