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Two Cylinders Short?: 1963 Dodge Dart GT

040316 Barn Finds- 1963 Dodge Dart GT Convertible - 1

This 1963 Dodge Dart GT convertible is in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego, California. The asking price is $6,300 and it looks like it’s in great shape with 56,000 original miles. The seller has it listed on craigslist.

040316 Barn Finds- 1963 Dodge Dart GT Convertible - 2

Well, there’s a dent, but other than that it looks like it’s in great shape. The seller says that it has a brand new top. 1963 is the first year of the third-generation Dodge Dart and it was a sales success over its predecessor, the Lancer.

040316 Barn Finds- 1963 Dodge Dart GT Convertible - 3

The previous generation Dart was my favorite design, by far, but I like things a little busy and odd compared to most people.

040316 Barn Finds- 1963 Dodge Dart GT Convertible - 4

It looks like there’s something going on with the driver’s seat, but that can be fixed, and it looks like there are a couple of cracks in the dash top. But, other than that the interior looks great. It’s hard to beat a red interior for me.

040316 Barn Finds- 1963 Dodge Dart GT Convertible - 5

This is the famous slant-six, but there is no mention as to whether it’s a 225 or a 170 slant-six. One of our readers may know which one it is by looking at it. The Dart offered both sizes of six-cylinder engines in 1963 as well as a 273 V8, which is unquestionably a more valuable asset to have under the hood. As original as this car may be, there is no way that the engine paint can be original, especially after looking at the crusty radiator. But, the owner makes no mention of the engine being original so it must have been pulled and painted. Even though this is a convertible, would you consider a Dodge Dart with a six-cylinder or would you hold out for a V8 model?

Comments

  1. Avatar Rando

    I’d take it.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Jake

    In a GT that’s most likely the 225. The 170 was usually reserved for the budget trim level: the Dart “170”

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    • Avatar Scotty G Staff

      Thanks for the info, Jake!

      Like 0
  3. Avatar George

    Well, a few dents and a little rust. But otherwise nice looking.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar richard aufderheide

    The 62’s were much cooler. sweet front end. Had a chance to get a slant six convertible with 3 on the tree last year. same owner since new in Vermont. asking 10k. as usual i ‘hemmed/ hawed’ too long and someone snatched it up to put in a ‘maxwedge and 4 speed :( i would have been happy with the 6 and the 3 speed…Ahh..live and learn..but i never do!

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Charles

    Nice car just like it is.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar RayT

    Not thrilled by the automatic, but everything else looks just fine to me.

    The slant-six is unbreakable. Everything else could be attended to over time, and the new owner wouldn’t have to do much before putting it on the road.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Fred

    Great job today BF! I think today’s picks are what most of us want to see- vehicles with realistic pricing, in reasonably good shape, needing minimal work.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Jose

    Is this thing for sale at price or up for bid? Didn’t see where to bid or what the other bids might be.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar wagon master

    What makes it a GT… buckets? I can’t get past the slant 6 and push button auto. So yes Scotty, 2 cyl too short in my book. Although you can make that 225ci scream These things are bringing stupid money now?!?! With a v8.and stick … I’m in and all over the right one!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ed P

      The 63 Darts were only available with slant 6’s. The 273 v8 was not available until the 64 Darts came out.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Jim Mc

    It’s a 225. I’ve owned so many of them I can tell just by looking. I know that’s not empirical, but…..

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Rick

    Ed P is correct, ’64 was the first year for the 273 V-8 in the Dart and ’64 was also the first year a 4 speed was available, and that would be a potent combo in such a light car. Anyhow I like this one fine as is and wouldn’t do a thing to it except drive it. Cheap cool summer cruiser for the money, could show up at any rod run or cruise-in and fit right in with the rest of the gang. Plus it has its original black Cal plates, what a bouns!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ed P

      The 4 speed was also available with slant 6’s in 64.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Al

    My parents had one of these. They proved how smart they were though by getting rid of it the day I passed my drivers test!. Think it may have been the speed equipment catalog I left open to the 6 cylinder page. LOL

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Richard

    1967 I was a senior in high school. A friend got this car in January in anticipation of his graduation. Needless to say he was the center of the universe for a time. The rest of us were driving 50s and 40s models if we even had a car.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar John B

    Ed P you are correct…we had one of the 273-2bbl ’64s back in the later 1970s. I believe it was a 270 model, all red with white top. Little 13″ wheels and drum brakes, push-button automatic tranny. Everyone loved it, a good parade car too. We rescued it from the local Chrysler dealer’s back lot for 750 bucks, my mom was not happy!

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Greg A Yancey

    I bought a 63 Dart for my daughter about 30 years ago cause they were just great, dependable cars. I also owned a 1962 Dart 440 2 door Hardtop with a 318 and a 1960 Dodge Dart Seneca 4 door Sedan with the 225 Slant Six and Torqueflyte. My dad owned a 1960 Dart Phoenix 4 Door Hardtop with the 318. Guess we just love Darts (well, except for the new phony one from Fiat that is).

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Mike Allen

    I got my 63 Dart in 74 $500. Dad pd. 400 for new tires. I could keep up with mustangs & Cougars my friends were driving. Miss that car. Wish I had one now.

    Like 0

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