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Dodge Darts

Valiants and Darts were the most popular Chrysler products in Mexico during the 1960's. Model year changes were indentical to US model changes as the Chrysler was still able to import the unibody and sheetmetal components from the USA. There were some US models that were not available in Mexico (two door Dart sedans and Dart convertibles), however Chrysler de Mexico was able to offer, begining in 1970, a unique Dart model with a C-pillar styling modification that was not available in the US.

1965-1967

For 1965, Chrysler de Mexico offered a two door hardtop Dart model and a four door Dart model. These were closely, if not exactly, based on US Dart 270 models. 1966 was similar to 1965 in model offering. For both years, only the 225cid six cylinder was available.

1967 was very similar to previous years as only two models were offered, a four door sedan and a two door hardtop. For 1967, the two door hardtop was similar, but not quite identical, to the US Dart GT in trim and exterior decoration (for example, it used the US GT's rear trunk finish panel, but not the same fender trim). In addition to the 225cid six cylinder, the new 230hp 318cid V8 was available. 1965-67 Darts were only advertised as being available with 7.00x13 tires.

1968-1969

1968 was an exciting year for the Dart in Mexico. In addition to offering a two door Dart 270 and a four door Dart 270, Chrysler was now offering a Dart GTS. Along with the Barracuda, the GTS was fitted with all available high performance components: disc brakes, a four speed transmission (or an optional automatic), sway bars, and D-70x14 tires fitted to 14x5.5" rims. Initially in 1968, the engine was the corporate 230hp 318cid V8. For 1969, Chrysler introduced a 270hp 318 V8 and this became the standard engine for the GTS. It featured a 4bbl carb, 9.5:1 compression, larger valves and a heavy duty crank.

GTS's were available with both bench seats and buckets, in addition to being outfitted with a Barracuda instrument cluster and dash. Unlike GTS's in the US, the GTS of Mexico would continue on for thr 1970 model year.

This beautiful 1968 GTS was photographed by Gil Pablo Sentíes Beverido. It is a bench seat four speed car. The wheels have been wided but they do carry original hubcaps. These hubcaps were used on both 1968 and 1969 models.

• front view
• original hubcap mounted on widened wheel
• GTS 318 fender emblem this emblem was also used all 1967 and 1968 318 cars (Coronets, Darts, Valiants, and 1968 Barracudas).
• interior, note factory bench seat and and US Barracuda instrument cluster.

This is another 1968 Dodge Dart. This is a basic Dart, most likely a 225 cid slant six, but it could be a 318cid V8.

• 1968 Dodge Dart

The following pictures are of 1969 Darts. The yellow Dart is a standard two door Dart with a six cylinder and original wheel treatments. The black has been modified, but justing from it's disc brakes and four speed transmission, this was most likely and original GTS. It does have the correct "budge" hood, but US 340 inserts have been adapted as well as a hood tach which was available in Mexico on 1970-1980 Super Bees. The original "V 318" emblems have been replaced by "V 360" emblems. This car has been perched on a pile of sand for a number of years from the looks of it.

• 1969 Dart, yellow
• 1969 GTS
• 1969 GTS,close up of the frontend

1970

Beginning in 1970, Chrysler de Mexico introduced a new styling feature with the addition of a "swept-back" C-pillar on GTS models. This is a feature that their US counterpart model did not carry. This "swept-back" C-pillar was created using a filler panel that was attached to the regular Dart roof line. Lead patch work was covered with a vinyl top (similar to the patch work covering on 1970 Plymounth Superbirds). Not all 1970 models used the "swept-back" C-pillar, initially it was only available for the GTS, and standard Darts used the regular Dart roofline.

This restored 1970 Dart was photographed while on display at the Exhibición de Autos Clásicos Chrysler at the Plaza Inter Lomas by Gil Pablo Sentíes Beverido. It features 270HP badges, the non-swept roofline, and factory wheel treatments. These hubcaps were standard on all 1970 Dodge passenger cars. These hood scoops were used on 1970 Valiant Super Bees, but it is unclear if they were originally used on any Dart model.

• Dart two door, front view
• Dart two door, side view
• Dart two door, rear view

This unrestored 1970 GTS is powered by a 270HP 318cid v8 with a A-833 four speed. This car has been used on a regualr basis, but upon my most recent visit to this area in 2002, the front windsheild had been broken and the licence plates had been removed.

• GTS, Side profile of the Mexico A-body roof line
• GTS, Steel wheel (small pattern). anti-sway bar and KH discs are visable
• GTS, front end
• GTS, rear view
• GTS, interior view
• GTS, another frontend view

1971-72

Beginning in 1971, Chrysler began using the "swept-back" C-pillar on all two door Dart models. At this point, my camera had started to take poor pictures (fine granuals of desert sand in the shutter was my guess). The right side of one of these pictures is not it focus. This car looked to be restored, or at least very well kept. It has the signature steel wheels along with hupcaps that were standard on 1971-73 Darts, Super Bees, and Valiants.

• 1971 or 1972, rear view (somewhat hazy)

1973-76

For 1973, The Dart used the same grille and tailight treatments that used on 1973 US Darts, and two door continued to be built with the "swept-back" c-pillar. These are unrestored examples of the most commonly seen Darts in Northern Mexico. Signature steel wheels, and "swept-back" C-pillar.

• 1975 red two door, rear view
• 1975 blue two door, side view
• 1976 four door Notice the factory wheel treatments and the "DODGE" emblem front and center on was is a Plymouth in the United States.
• (LARGER version of same picture)

1977-1985

After 1976, the Dart model name remained in use from 1977 to 1979 as an F-body Dart. Two door, four door, and station wagons were produced with 225cid six cylinders and 360cid V8s. In 1981, the Dart name was moved to the K-car platform where it continued through at least 1987. In 1987, the Dart was available as a station wagon or a four door sedan with engine options of the 2.2 four cylinder, the new 2.5 four cylinder and even the "TurboChrysler" 2.2 four cylinder.

The station wagon pictured here features its stock wheel style treatments making it quite sporty. These wheels were used on F-bodies briefly before being replaced as the corporate wheel with the Rallye wheels that were so common in the US on performance cars from 1970-1977.

• 1978 Dart station wagon