Based on insider information, Chrysler downsized its Dodge and Plymouth full-size cars for 1962 thinking that Chevrolet was going that route. The intelligence turned out to be wrong and Dodge and Plymouth’s ’62 cars came across more as intermediates, hurting sales volume. They would have to soldier on until 1963 before they could come up with a quick remedy. The Dart 330 was a basic offering, as is the case with the seller’s car that once had a Slant-Six engine and pushbutton automatic. Both are now gone, leaving a rolling shell that was intended to become a Max Wedge clone. Thanks to Barn Finder Larry D, he discovered this car located in Whitestone, New York, a one-year-only Dart that’s available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $7,500 (or you can submit an offer).
In the early 1960s, the Dart nameplate was trying to find its way. For 1960-61, it was a full-sized car, while in 1962 it served as an accidental mid-size. Then came 1963 when it finally became a compact and stayed as one through 1976. The nameplate took a hiatus until a short return as a FWD grocery getter from 2012-16. The ‘62 edition has become popular with racers because of its lightweight unibody construction. It’s not uncommon to see a 413 cubic inch Wedge V8 shoved under the hood of one of these cars, which is exactly what the seller was intending to do.
The next owner could continue to go down that path as the drivetrain has already been pulled out and the hood replaced with one containing a Max Wedge scoop. Or you could drop in a small-block V8 with a TorqueFlite and go back to 1962. The body is largely good, but not perfect. The driver’s side front fender has already been replaced and the seller is providing one of those for the right side. There’s a bit of rust in the lower right rear quarter panel and under the windshield. The floor pans are partially cut out and replacements will also come with the car.
Before you get excited, the 4.10 Dana rear end in the car is not included, but an 8 ¾ axle will go instead so the car will still roll. That rear end can be had for an extra charge. A bunch of parts will come with the Dodge, some pictured and some not, including reupholstered seats, most trim, replacement steering wheel, push-button transmission, and a spare V8 K-frame. So, if you’ve been looking for a platform to build one of these Max Wedgemobiles, chances are this one is better than most.
Put the slant six back in there and call it good. They were great cars, usable cars, reliable cars…the 413 not so much. I know which one I would rather have. At a car show, it will gather more attention. People are tired of looking at fake Super Stocks, everyone and his Grandma today has one. Regular people can relate to a slant six because back in the day, everyone had one of those.
Agree! So many clones out there. Put a /6 or poly 318 in it and have fun! I’ve got a ’62 Polara with a factory installed 383. Its staying that way.
IMO one of the ugliest front ends ever !!! Yuck !!!!
I’m gonna Cummins swap it just to aggravate people.
I am still fond of the SS idea, but I like your spunk!
“Based on insider information, Chrysler downsized its Dodge and Plymouth full-size cars for 1962 thinking that Chevrolet was going that route. The intelligence turned out to be wrong…”
No, yours did. This oft-repeated fallacy forgets that Ford did the same thing at the same time. In fact, GM was late to the game. GM’s unsuccessful Y-bodies (Tempest/F85/Special) were compacts. The Chevelle and other A-body cars bowed in 1964, meaning they were still mid-development when Mopar introduced the B-bodies for 1962. Not coincidentally, that’s the exact same time Ford’s intermediates appeared.
For two full years, GM had no competitive offering in a new model segment full of Fords and Mopars. The latter two sold hundreds of thousands of cars while the General was soaking his thumb. Tell me again: Exactly who screwed up?
The “fallacy” you refer to has been repeated many, many times…. by noted author and Chrysler designer Jeffrey Godshall. While there’s probably more to the story than William Newberg overhearing Ed Cole discuss the Chevy II at a cocktail party, I’ll give Jeff Godshall the benefit of the doubt, since he actually worked in Chrysler’s design department, .
Ford introduced intermediates in 1962, but the full-sized Galaxie and Monterey continued, so Ford did not do the same thing as Chrysler.
I thought this body style was ugly as “Homemade Sin” when they were new . . Don’t know why but , I’m beginning to warm up to em . .
Please refer to the period sales figures for GM , vs. Ford and Chrysler COMBINED ! one can only hope to screw up so badly .
This has to be the ugliest car every built, makes a AMC Pacer look a beauty queen.
Could be one of the ugliest cars made. Why do I ant one? The disease has taken over…
My grandma had a 62 dart 4 door. Ugliest car ever built I thought until I saw this two door version. Someone will love it though.
That ugly front end is very airstream a lot of racers used it on the drain strips because it was so aerodynamic it was a 426 that they were beating the crap out of Chevys and forwards just to let you know
Good room engine bay, lots of room for a Buick nailhead. I want it.
I love it, I actually have a couple of 413-426 wedge motors and a cable shift tranny
I have to agree with the majority, these were then and still are fugly cars! Not just the front end, the entire car including the dashboard.
Back in the day I thought they were UGLY and still are but they are so funky I’d love to have one, or the smaller compact version. This one? 440 all the way. QUESTION Mopar gurus: To install a big wedge, would the front K member have to be replaced like some later Mopars? :-) Terry J
If this Dodge was a \6 from the factory then one method to plop a 440 in is by putting in a K-member from a 1962 Dodge or Plymouth 361 V8 car.
The seller includes “a spare V8 K-frame” but he does not identify the year or if it was a 318 V-8 K-frame.
At one time aftermarket bracket adapters were available to allow swapping in B-RB, or even a Hemi, into these first-year B-body Mopars using the 1962 Poly 318 K-member.
I read that some serious drag racers installed a later year
B-body big block K-member in these early 1960s B-body cars because the later K-member moved the engine slightly closer to the firewall, thus providing better traction possibilities.
I used to think these were ugly as well way back when. But I really like the look now for a while. Especially hot rodded 2 drs. Even if the hot rodding simply means a well warmed slant 6 and a 4 or 5 spd. The mismatched panels don’t bother me either.
My take has always been to put what money you have into performance and road handling first. The paint can wait.
No.
The ’63-64 Mopars are just that…MOPAR. mo’powa, evil looking machines with a simple wheel change. Combine that with an above hood scoop and the ’63 Dodge/Plymouth two door looks armed for battle.
But this ’62 Dart? Well, I guess so. What are those stroker crate motors, 408 cid? Could be.