Debuting for 1960 initially as a full-size model, the Dodge Dart was subsequently downsized to a midsize model in 1962, and then again in 1963 to a compact model where it would find its greatest success. Sold as a compact from the 1963 through the 1976 model years over two generations, the Dodge Dart built a solid reputation and legacy as an honest-to-goodness affordable and reliable workhorse. While it did offer buyers specialty models over the years like the performance-oriented Demon and the luxury-oriented Special Edition, the Dart was by and large sold as a humble, no frills vehicle… a car of few words.
Although rarely the case for me when it comes to any given car, words are in fact what I find myself struggling to conjure when it comes to discussing this particular Dodge Dart. For starters, it is a 1976, the “classic” Dart’s final year of sales that saw it overlap with its much-touted Aspen successor. It’s a base model 4-door sedan and it’s green… I believe Deep Sherwood Metallic, if we’re being official.
While it’s hard to decipher exactly what options and packages it has from the 1976 Dart brochure, it does feature optional cloth-and-vinyl upholstery. Although simulated woodgrain trim adorns the gauge cluster and steering wheel, it does not extend entirely across the dashboard nor on the door panels, meaning this Dart lacks the available Interior Decor Group.
It likely does include the Easy Order Package, among whose features included a 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, power steering, deluxe steering wheel, AM radio, cigarette lighter, bumper guards, deluxe wheel covers, and full-vinyl roof. Beyond that, this Dart might have a few more extra-cost options, but overall it’s relatively basic, as were most production Darts.
It’s also worth noting that by 1976, the Dart and its Plymouth Valiant were quite elderly, receiving their last complete redesigns back in 1967. Yet consistent and meaningful updates and upgrades through the years kept them just fresh enough, as it’s worth noting the duo were achieving combined sales of over 700,000 units as late as 1974. While far from special or exciting, the Dart and Valiant’s tried-and-true mechanics and proven reliability made for a venerable force that helped keep Chrysler’s reputation afloat as much as their sales helped keep paying its bills, for the automaker’s fortunes became more dire with each new year of the 1970s.
Now as for these updates, the Dart’s last significant refresh came in 1972, though for its second-to-final model year of 1975, it received one final minor update, bringing further refinement and enhancements to Dodge’s faithful steed. Alas, what more can I really say?
I took these pictures way back in 2013, when I was but a lonely, lost, and uncertain business school student trying to find my place in the world and working part-time as a check-out clerk at a grocery store. Although I have tried to write-up this car numerous times, I’ve always strayed, making little progress. They’ve just sat in my photo library, always there but rarely crossing my mind. Well, therein lies the point I think I’ve been struggling to find these past six years… the Dodge Dart was a part of many people’s lives, always there but rarely crossing his or her minds. It was in fact my own mother’s first car, one she shared with her siblings, and it is a car owned by many similarly-aged people I’ve talked to over the years, often being their first car too.
Just like my photos of it, the Dodge Dart truly was a car that was simply there with many people through the years, rarely crossing their mind as anything beyond basic transportation. Without boring you all of the details of my life, when I think about all that’s happened in my own life these past six years, where I was then and where I am now, it’s nothing short of astonishing. Through it all, these photos I took of this 1976 Dodge Dart have always been just a few clicks and swipes away from me in my phone.
Photographed in Hanson, Massachusetts – September 2013
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I love it! Simple and reliable, no fancy electronics to break. Reminds me of the many Darts and Valiants (Dusters too) that I have owned.
One thing to note, all Darts and Valiants with the round gauge cluster had the simulated wood trim.
I sympathize with finding a cool and unusual car but struggling to find something to say about it. You managed quite nicely.
I am not well versed in the details of these later models, and was surprised that the bright metal window trim was found on the base models. That was one of Chrysler’s fails of the early 70s, with plain painted window trim on almost every sedan the company made – making them all look like strippers.
These were all over the place when I was in my early 20s and were fabulous cheap wheels. The goal (at least for me) was to seek out nice ones that were pre-1973 because they lacked the increasingly finicky hodgepodge of emission controls. Something Chrysler struggled with. And with a buyer base that skewed older, there were gobs of nice older units out there. This has all the marks of a hand-me-down from grandpa. And I salute the driver for investing in new whitewall tires!
Brendan, like you, I’m struggling to say anything about this Dart. It’s a real bother when that happens, too, as the car is worthy of some attention and you want to do it justice.
So I will say this….good thing Chrysler didn’t recycle the Dart name for the Aspen. Doing it the way they did allowed the Dart to go out on top, with an unblemished name, prompting positive memories for many.
And these look a darn sight better to me now than they did 20 years ago.
They did recycle the Dart name for Aspen in Mexico. I don’t know however if the Mexican Aspens was plagued with problems with our Aspens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btKauHSum7Q
And the Dart name continued to live briefly as a M-body model and a K-car model South of the Border.
There’s a very similar Dart (though I believe a ’73 model) that lives near me. It appears to be in similarly excellent condition, and the same color. (Google StreetView below) I’ve often thought I should stop and photograph it, but haven’t yet, largely because — like you — I struggle with what I would say.
These Darts were everywhere in the 1970s. I recall squishing around in a few of them. By the 1980s, there were all seemingly rusting away, though would run forever, so several were in high school parking lots in the late 1980s. After that, of course time took its toll, though I see a surprising number still used for regular transportation. Those that have survived the rust have found appreciative homes.
I think the dark green / white top color combination here is one of the best looks for this car that I’ve seen. Though I’m not often a vinyl roof fan, it works well here. I typically associate these cars with some sort of medium brown color, which wasn’t very becoming.
This is another Dart that I see regularly around here — this one is driven fairly often:
Eric: Agree!
Usually I am NOT a proponent of vinyl tops; but it does “work well” on this body.
Mopar’s Sherwood Green exterior color, the metallic gold and the deep burgundy colors look great on this car.
Indeed, atlhough this might be a base model, the white vinyl top, combined with the dark green exterior and cloth interior upgrade (which probably isn’t in such terrific shape underneath those front seat blankets) at least gives the appearance of the top-tier ‘SE’ version, but at a much lower cost.
Yes, this is NOT a base car by any means.
Wheel covers vs hub caps.
DELUXE steering wheel, vs base wheel
Chrome trim on window frames
Body Side molding
Whitewalls
IMO, back in the day, this was an up-level Dart/Valiant.
This summer at a classic car show, I saw a 76/77 Dodge Aspen that was definitely special ordered. It looked ‘mid-level’, like this one, vinyl roof, full wheel covers. But, that’s it. And it had NO chrome trim–painted window frames. It had 3 on the tree, manual steering and brakes (and of course, no a/c). In 1976/77, that Aspen was probably the most inexpensive way to transport 6 people (it was the roomiest ‘compact’)
Properly optioned (V8 engine, the “industry standard” 3 speed Torqueflite automatic, power steering. power disc brakes, factory A/C, upscale interior and exterior chrome) these were satisfying and peppy cars to drive in “The Real World”.
Upright, comfortable seating for (at least) four full sized Americans, surprisingly good acceleration and fuel economy, a huge, usable trunk capacity, proven reliable mechanical components…..and dirt cheap on the used car market.
I like the 2 door hardtop body better; but the 4 door does have a dowager classy appearance even today.
That model Dart has always been a grandparent car to me and my family because that is how we ended up with one. When my Grandfather was no longer able to drive we acquired his old car, a 1972 or or so Dart in that same color. My brother mostly drove it, and to this day he uses that experience as a point of reference for poor driving characteristics, i.e. “drives like a Dart.” My memory is that it mostly seemed cheaply built and the very definition an American car of the 1970s.
These Darts and Valiants were present in the Hertz fleet at Denver – but not significantly and certainly were not of much interest then to me.
Hertz generally owned the various Ford and GM cars but Chryslers (and AMCs) were leased for shorter time periods. This allowed flexibility for market demand at certain times of the year. Sometimes the lease cars were transferred from one city’s fleet to that of another to meet demand.
Anyway the Darts and Valiants, looking like this feature car, were present in the “B” class (Maverick/Comet for example) fleet in small numbers for short time periods. I think they must have been sixes. They usually were in nice condition as they were often new/newer. Certainly Chrysler had a surplus of built cars at that time and rental car fleets provided an outlet for some of them.
I am quite certain that we here at CC have spilled more words about Darts and Valiants than had been the case anywhere else on this planet, and certainly from the 1970s. That to me, is a good thing. These were solid cars, with a few poor build issues sometimes, and generally got the job done for us over and over again. They were indeed ubiquitous back in their time, blending in with the crowd, when there were more Chevvies and Fords than Darts and Valiants on the street.
Hooray for this one finally getting its day on CC. A worthy car to be sure.
I regret selling my 1974 Dart Sport when I did, but had I tried to keep it, corrosion would have claimed it piece by piece due to salted roads in the winter.
Growing up, my parents had a ’76 Valiant in a very similar trim level. No vinyl top, light blue over the same vinyl/cloth interior in medium blue.
If my brother or I fell asleep on a long trip, I remember that the embossed fabric would leave a wicked imprint on your arm and face.
My first car was a 1973 Plymouth Valiant. Slant 6, automatic, and a radio. Bought it in 1986 for $750.
Heater didn’t work properly and tended to stall in wet weather until it warmed up. Unsafe by today’s standards. But I loved it and got 2 good years out of it before the body rusted away.
The car I drive now is light years ahead in terms of performance, safety, and reliability. But what I wouldn’t give to be young again and have that Valiant back.
How could anyone from that era not love a Dart or Valiant?
By the time I got my license in the late ’80s, they were dorkiest of dorky cars and they were usually hand-me-downs from grandparents to kids in my generation, but I always had a soft spot for them, especially Dusters and I prefer the front ends of the Plymouth A-bodys.
And any 318 Dart or Valiant would outrun pretty much any non-musclecar of the day, even some of the legit musclecars. If Dennis Weaver’s Valiant in Duel had a 318, there never would have been story.
SO correct, LT Dan!
The under-rated 318 V8/Torqueflite combo, esp when paired with the pre-gas mileage emphasis 3.23 final drive (rear end) gear ratio, allowed the Mopar compacts to embarrass and humiliate many/most “sporty” cars of the early 1970’s.
I know, I was there, I drove mine (and other people’s) Darts, Dusters and Valiants in many impromptu street races.
The look on the faces of the slack jawed, pimply faced rivals, when “ya Grandma’s Duster” sucked their headlights out of their jacked up, noisy mufflered Camaros and Mustangs was SO very satisfying to me!
Chrysler was in no position to replace the Valiant/Dart, so they succeeded because they weren’t wrecked by the incompetence permeating the corporation during this time. After the fuselage cars struggled in the market, these pre-fuselage vehicles still sold by the hundreds of thousands because they were neglected. The Valiant/Dart offered what people wanted – smart sized reliable cars. The other Chrysler offerings failed to do the same. So we see a dated design thriving with Chrysler buyers because Chrysler buyers didn’t like what Chrysler was offering with other models.
The Valiant/Dart kept Chrysler buyers and loyalists in the Chrysler stable. I don’t know if Chrysler management knew this. After the Oil Embargoes of the early 1970s, buyers of larger Chrysler cars, loyal to the brand, migrated to the Valiant/Dart/Demon/Dusters, waiting for Chrysler to produce modern cars. Chrysler didn’t. Folks were ready to buy, but not the cars Chrysler produced so offhandedly.
Then came the Reliant/Aspen fiasco. The cars Chrysler produced as the replacement for the Valiant/Dart were bad cars. They looked like revised versions of the beloved work horses, but they were lemons. For hundred of thousands of Chrysler buyers, the Reliant/Aspen confirmed the sinking feeling that the Pentastar couldn’t make a decent vehicle. That was the beginning of the end.
The Valiant/Dart proves that Chrysler could launch a new car during the 1960s, but couldn’t during the 1970s.
The replacements for the Dart/Valiants were Volares and Aspens, not Reliants.
The K car came along in 1980, and they killed off the Aspens and Volares. The Reliant/Aries saved Chrysler, and enable Lee Iacocca to repay the government loan he needed to keep the company afloat.
Wow. I’m getting old.
Volare. Sheesh. At least I got Aspen right.
Have you seen this?
Can’t wait for the Millennial’s take on the Boomers.
I loved that book when I was a kid! It’s a little (or a lot) cringeworthy now, particularly the Chevrolet Caprice profile.
Haha wow, where did you come across this?
It’s a page from an ’80s book called “U R What You Drive”, by Tom Couch. Basically a book of car owner stereotypes. Looks like you can snag it for two bucks now.
Note that Bea’s dress matches our featured Dart’s interior perfectly.
Although we might call these basic transportation, to the rest of the world these were luxury cars, much bigger than the bread and butter family cars that then (and still) defined/es normal automobiles.
Barrieros in Spain produced these with real posh interiors and Mexico, likewise, but not quite so posh.
Our perception was and is clearly the outlier.
Yes. In Israel a lot of politicians and government ministers tooled around in them.
If nothing else, they were the Toyota Camrys of their day. Unexciting but drop-dead reliable, even during the years when tightening emissions standards had a habit of tripping up any manufacturer.
In 2-door hardtop form, especially in Demon form, you can build quite a cool hot rod without having to beef up every single undercarriage component just to make it safe.
That’s off by a few years. The Dart’s last significant refresh came for 1970, and its final update came for 1974 (though there were minor cosmetic changes for ’75 and some mechanical changes for both ’75 and ’76).
The pictured car appears to be a 1975 model, though the differentiator between a ’75 and a ’76 is a part easily swapped—it’s the front turn signal lenses, colourless in ’75 and amber in ’76.
Well, there’s fuzzy dice. You could say quite a bit about just that.
There was a very similar green 4 door Dart in a carport on my block. It never moved for years, then a for sale sign appeared. I was slightly tempted but only slightly and it disappeared to be replaced by a 1968 Thunderbird that has never moved in years.
I would have kept the Dart, not only a better looking car but it took up less room in the little carport!
Growing up in the 70s I remember these being driven by old ladies. My sister had a Volare in this color scheme – I always wanted to drive it because it was the only car we had with an FM radio. Kids these days have no idea…….GET OFF MY LAWN
That’s why the FM Converter was so popular then. The price for a car radio from the factory was outrageous.
The Dodge Dart…..what else needs be said?
So lets start at the beginning of the Dart line. Yeah there are 1960 models but here’s a pic of the first down sized Darts. It’s my 1962 Dart 440 4dr, sedan. This one has a 313, yeah that’s right, 313 cid V8, 3spd pb auto tranny. No pwr steer or brakes but i wish it did. I also owned one back in the 60’s but it had a slant 6 with 3 on the tree. This one was a farmers field find and resurrected about 10 years ago. Runs good and gets lots of comments. Lots of room for improvement but is good the way it is. Cheers to All.
RamblinRick.
Rick: You mean one like this? My first car, 440 hardtop, 318 poly/auto/ps/pb. Later found a 4 bbl intake for it.
My late uncle the English professor drove a similar Dart until around 80-81 when he replaced it with a Subaru. Oddly the only other people I knew with Darts were high school teachers and neither one bought the Aspen/Volare replacement, preferring to go import or GM. This generation was plain but crisp and embodied the virtues of basic American cars that were lost in the malaise era.
A buddy in college had a flat on his ’70-ish Dart, and couldn’t get the lug nuts off. He knew I had a big star wrench, so I twisted two lugs, along with the studs, right off the rear axle flange, before we learned about the backwards threads on one side of the car. A Chrysler quirk.
Not just Chriysler. My ’67 Olds had left-hand threads on the drivers side too. Supposed to keep the nuts tight?
They were nice drivers with the 318 and optioned interiors, but once the rust started to take hold (about 5 years up here), their cheap body integrity and unibody construction started coming apart. To get 10 years out of them required much welding and yearly oil sprays.
The very typical car of Driver’s Education back in the late 60s. In fact a Dart is the first car I actually drove during a nighttime driver’s ed class since I went to Catholic High School without a course. It was a 68 Dart during the fall of 1969. Still remember that first drive since not only was it dark but it was pouring rain with three passengers. I couldn’t even see the lines on the roadway which made for some interesting driving.
These cars look for all the world like 3/4 scale 1967 Chrysler New Yorkers. Chrysler missed a real opportunity after the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo not rushing out a Chrysler edition by spring of 1974. It took until 1975 for the Dart Special Edition to appear as a partial response to this idea, and until 1977 for the Chrysler LeBaron to show up in this size class.
Chrysler’s financial paralysis in these years was truly perilous.
The Plymouth Valiant Brougham and Dodge Dart Special Edition were introduced halfway through the 1974 model year. They were most likely a response to the popular LDO option offered on the Ford Maverick and Mercury Comet.
The Valiant Brougham, at least, was a success. Strong Valiant and Duster sales enabled Plymouth to claim the number-three spot in sales for 1974 – the last time it would ever hold that position.
These were the Official Car of Seattle in the 1970’s. The SPD used the Dart as patrol cars from 1974-76 (74-75 retail cars, 1976 A-38 police package, all 318 2bbl. powered).
The City of Seattle also populated their motor pool with countless slant-6 Darts.
My grandparents had a 1970 Dart 4-door (slant-6 and green, of course). SL Savidge Dodge, located in downtown Seattle, sold the vast majority (judging by all of the ‘SL Savidge’ license plate frames) of Darts in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
The ’76 model was a common Military Police patrol car. MP units were supposed to get power steering, but somehow our fleet had 318s with manual steering. Despite this, they were good units. Roomy enough not to be a torture chamber during a 12 hour shift and reasonable quick (for the times).
The SPD A38s had 318-2bbl? Interesting; I thought the ’76 A38 package included a 360 engine. Did SPD deliberately downgrade theirs?
Wow, loose the vinyl top, and add a second set of controls (like in a Cessna 172), and you have a dead ringer there for my driver’s education car back in 1976.
I can still hear that hummingbird starter in my mind’s ear. 😉
“NANG-NANG-NANG-NANG-NANNNGGGGGGGG-ROAARRRRRR!”
Ah yes, the warble of the gear reduction Mopar “Highland Park Hummingbird” starter.
Somehow other makes of cars all sounded so dull and boring and blaahhhhhh to me when they started up; after you “grew up” hearing the Mopar starter motor.
A 1974 Dart Custom four-door sedan with the 318 V-8, automatic, power steering, power brakes and air conditioning regularly shows up at the Chryslers at Carlisle event. It’s a low-mileage, all-original example in light metallic green with a dark green vinyl roof. It strikes me as a very good special-interest car that can cope well with modern traffic conditions.
The grille on the feature car was the one major appearance change for 1975. At the time, I remember thinking that it wasn’t an improvement over the 1973-74 grille.
Rick: You mean one like this? My first car, 440 hardtop, 318 poly/auto/ps/pb. Later found a 4 bbl intake for it.
WOW – NO.
Show off!