By the time you read this, we’ll be well on our way home after staying with my wife’s folks in Idaho for a few days. I saw numerous CC opportunities, but usually while riding shotgun in Dad’s car (far-off, blurry shots, in other words). Today, then, let’s return to Lynden, WA, for a closer look at a car I spotted parked on the main street in town.
One of my sources indicated these are often overlooked by restorers, and that the third-generation Dodge Dart line can actually offer some interesting opportunities. Today’s subject is a 1964 Dodge Dart GT convertible, one of 50,700 produced that year.
The single tailpipe may (or may not) indicate the standard 170 cu in (2.8-liter), 101-hp Slant Six powerplant. Other engine options included a 145-hp 225 cu in (3.7-liter) six and a compact, new-for-1964 273 cu in (4.5-liter) V8 with 180 hp. Nineteen sixty-four marked the last year for the pushbutton-control Torqueflite automatic transmission, with which our subject is equipped; three- and four-speed manual shifters were also available.
Other available options included power steering, air conditioning, push-button windshield washer, tinted glass, day/night rear view mirror, luggage rack, front and rear bumper guards, white sidewall tires and “Sure-Grip” differential. Apparently only one rear axle size (7.25″) was offered, regardless of the engine/transmission combination.
Features unique to the GT trim level included bucket seats, all-vinyl upholstery, full carpeting, front and rear armrests, deluxe wheel covers and a padded dash.
Although 1964 was also Dodge’s 50th anniversary—one source I referenced indicated all cars were marked as such, but didn’t specify in what way—I didn’t notice any special badging on the car.
I find this generation of Dart to be fresh and inviting… motoring around in the Pacific Northwest on a beautiful fall day like this one would be a real joy!
Joy indeed, what a sweet ride! I love that big round headlight look. Its front end resembles the Chrysler Turbine car, which was on public tour and private test-drives when this Dart was new. I saw the Turbine car as a child and still clearly remember it.
I’ve always felt stylists underutilize the circle. It is after all the essential shape of whatever set of wheels you’re driving today. Ford’s old trademark round taillights work so well for this reason.
I am still kicking myself for not buying a 64 Valiant convertible that I had the chance to buy very reasonably back in the late 80s. Although a C body still tops my list, I would take this car in a heartbeat. Whether Dart or Valiant, the 64 is my favorite in looks, and has the bonus of the pushbutton Torqueflite (I have owned two of them and would love another).
Mike loves the front, but I think that the rear of this car is one of the nicest ones of the decade. All kinds of shapes and angles going on, and they all blend together so nicely. I am also a sucker for a white car with a silver-blue interior like this one.
I agree all over. Those ridges around and down to round taillights, that just hint at fins without being fins, are just perfect. Shades of the Volvo P1800, a contemporary of the Dart.
I had never thought of that before. The P1800 actually predated the Dart by a good bit — the Volvo was designed in 1957 and the first official photos were released in 1959 — and it’s possible that Dodge designers saw it prior to the ’63-’64 Dart’s development.
Count me in as a lover of these. I was intrigued by the gen 2 Dart since they first came out; it was the right amount of Chrysler weird; works very well. And it’s only grown on me since. I’m referring to the ’63 and ’64 versions. I’d take this in a heartbeat: funky good looks and eminently practical too. What more could one want? Don’t ask….
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5610123989.html
My Grandfather had one of these that sat around for a while. I can’t remember if it was blue-gray or primered.
A good many years ago (1980’s, I think) a friend in Vermont, knowing that cars don’t tend to rust out all that much in the Pacific northwest, asked me to find him a nice Dart or Valiant convertible. In only a week or so I came up with a red on red 1963 ragtop that had a strong resemblance to the one shown. It was a Dart 270, meaning that it had a bench seat and column shift. It was in such beautiful condition that when I called Vermont that afternoon I told him to please let me know right away if he decided against it. Well, it did make the trip to Vermont where my friend owned it for quite a few years.
My father bought me a new, 1963 Dart 2dr of the lowest price series. In all respects a very fine car. If I had used it more gently, I might still be driving it. As he said: “Too soon old, too late smart.”
Wow. This brings back memories of when my dad borrowed a family friend’s 1964 Dart GT convertible, when I was a little kid. I remember it was white with a black interior, with a 4 on the floor stick shift topped with a white gearshift knob. That was so cool…either with the top up or down. Never been in a rag top before. Standard equipment was the fabled Mopar starter motor scream a/k/a the Hamtramck Hummingbird.
Velveeta: My 1964 Dart GT convertible
One great car that I enjoyed for a few years of early ’80’s West Coast college. White exterior, red interior, push button transmission and only an AM. A real head turner. Constant notes under the wipers with offers to buy. Lots of fun to drive. Lots of hot, insane, testosterone fueled memories.
I bot in great shape, very clean, right down to the owners manual. Trashed the hell out of it (ok shoot me) & then gave that ’64 Dart away to a buddy who restored it very well. He may still have it.
A few things I adored:
-The bench seat. Purrfect for dates.
-The screaming hot heater that allowed the top to stay down, even in the snow.
– Nearly indestructible. Gal Pal literally drove it into a stone wall down my Malibu driveway… escaped unblemished!
Realized I needed oil when it ran hot one day. Many quarts later there was maybe a pint left before the refill. Never any mechanical issues and cheap as dirt to run.
-Just felt great to drive this wonderful ‘almost-ugly’ American convertible. Put the ice chest in the back, the portable TV on the floor and many a famous roadtrip traversing the West!
One of a kind!
Loved “Velveeta”, pure American cheese
My Putt Putt
I love the 64 Darts. In fact I found a disassembled 64 convertible 4 speed on eBay that didn’t sell. So I reached out to seller and negotiated a price.
So enamored was I that I flew 1700 miles to retrieve this rust free perfect body and 10 boxes of parts, motor and trans.
I won’t go into details as to why it got into this shape, but I loaded it up on truck and trailer and drove it back home taking two days to do so.
Now 4 years later I’m setting up the garage with tools, manuals and tech tips for my 12 year old Son and I to reconstruct this beauty and get it back on the road .