While the actual birth year of the musclecar is debatable, many enthusiasts will agree that things were heating up in the early 1960s. With the Pontiac GTO being introduced for the 1964 model year, other manufacturers watched as sales for performance-oriented vehicles took off. In a short time, all the Detroit brands were offering some sort of hot new musclecar in their lineup. With Mustangs, Chargers, Camaros, and even the hotted-up Olds 442 prowling the streets, new car shoppers had a wide variety to choose from. What if the buyer wanted something a little more low-key, but with a nice rumble, that still flew under the radar of the local speed enforcement? Something like our feature car, a 1966 Dodge Dart GT, located near Phoenix, AZ, and found here on craigslist with an asking price of $9500. For the last five decades, it has remained in the hands of the original owner, clocking up only 96,000 miles. Thanks to T.J. for the tip on this classic Mopar!
The heart of this compact cruiser, and the source of that aforementioned rumble, is a 273 cubic-inch V8. Factory-rated at 180 horsepower and 260 lb-ft, it was not a performance engine, but it provided more than enough power to get around and sounded good doing it. However, for those that want more, these engines are said to respond well to simple power upgrades, or a swap to a larger V-8 would not be too difficult either. The engine bay of our feature vehicle appears extremely clean, and the engine itself was reportedly rebuilt in 2015.
The interior features bucket seats, a console, and what appears to be an aftermarket tachometer on the side of the steering column, as well as other assorted gauges affixed under the dash. The only evident wear is on the driver’s seat, but new upholstery should be easy to locate and would greatly improve the overall appearance of the interior. The dash cover, while showing that the owner made an effort to protect the dash, hinders visibility of any possible damage underneath.
Nearly 19,000 Dodge Dart GTs were built for the 1966 model year, with roughly 10,000 of those being equipped with a V8. While not exactly a musclecar by any definition, they feature unique styling and power upgrades are available from mild to wild (Hellcat swap, anyone?). Our feature car would be an easy restoration or even a fun driver as it sits. With minimal suspension upgrades, it could possibly surprise a few sports cars on the local autocross track. With a myriad of choices, how would you make this Mopar your own?
I like this generation of the Dart. The greenhouse and simple lines are pleasing to the eye. I’m sure the engine rebuild was done to put a little more kick in her. I would probably redo the interior and maybe update the brakes to make it a fun cruiser.
As a kid, my brother in law really impressed me with the peppiness and handling of his slant 6 Dart. I can imagine the 273 would be really fun to drive, especially with some mods.
I had a ‘65 Dart in high school. The console between the seats was low enough that my girl could snuggle up to me while driving. The 273 would easily smoke the tires for a block or more leaving school. Both greatly improved the street cred of a skinny dork like me.
I have driven many Dart/Valiant variants and the V8 although not a high performance engine, was great fun in these cars. I thought they were more fun to drive than a 289 Mustang.
Knew of a later Barracuda with a 273 hi po that ran at the drag strip and it was quick. Didn’t know that little motor could run so hard. It had the usual mods can’t remember the class it ran though.
Cad i recall some of those 273 commandos being pretty quick also on the street anyways. They may have ran out of steam by the 1/4 but off the traffic lite seen a few really jump.
ran a ’64 170 waggy. Pop riveted the fallen chicken coop’s metal roof on to pass inspec. Found a gleaming blue ’66 w/PA plates on way back from Burlington (S. to Greenfield, 1972). Being a kid I did not look “below the cover”ing. Driving it home nxt wkend I heard a bang, looked in rear view as others on I95 avoided the starter’n piece of block skiddin over the road behind me. Put the 64 motor in the 66 (also a wagon). Took it thru all the parameter states of this country ona trip finishing in WVa w/300K mi that lill slanty. Never hada 220 never mind a bent8. Decade later drove an aspen fleet livery. Same durability (again, but for the sheet metal). Nash may have hada “1st” econo box (rambler) but these were light, small”er”. Would have gotten a Japanese wagon, took an ’85 fox wagon home last fall (4 hr trailer round trip) as they’re a lill closer to my Prince Val(iant) in size.
The above red’n white has those nice straight early 60s lines (btwn ’50s bulge-mobile & ‘humps over the tires’ later ’60s) I like – plus a dwn szed body. Any thing over 150 HP (if good low rev tq) is fun to drive. Pump up the breaks’n handling and make a canyon carver…
In 1966 Dodge offered a 273 D stock version
Muscle car you say in the write up ? Lawrence nailed it – check out that D/Dart they call it – built to run in the NHRA D class winners.
Drove a s pack In a early 64 Cuda was a blast belong to girlfriend’s mother.
That long rear glass made it easy to see the blue lights coming
A friend had a 66 barracuda with the same drive train , was a blast to drive
A friend and I bought and sold quite a few cars. One being a first gen Baracuda, 273, fenderwell headers and a lopey cam. That thing was stupid fast. I have no idea about quarter mile performance but around the neighborhood it was fun. I don’t think that the neighbors appreciated the uncorked headers though.
Stumbled onto this site listing today. Never saw it but did see it on CL last spring. I bought this car. It is now stripped and on the rotisserie.