(posted at the Cohort by Curtis Perry)
Jim Cavanaugh’s CC on a 1964 Dodge Custom 880 pointed out that the 880 was the last relic of Chrysler Design Chief Virgil Exner’s “Forward Look”. By 1965, Chrysler’s full size cars were completely made over under the direction of its new design head Elwood Engel. The same happened in 1966 to the mid-sized cars. That left the ’66 Dart and Valiant as the last living relics of the Exner era. And it’s still on mostly full display, even if the front end was been fully Engelasized.
The original ’63 Dart (along with the Valiant and cleaned-up semi-full size Dodges and Plymouths) was a farewell shot by Exner, and went a long way to redeem himself for the numerous awkward cars that somehow found themselves being released and built during the difficult 1960-1962 model years. Some of these cars were designed and approved during his absence recovering from a heart attack, others just somehow slipped by, and of course the ’62 cars were downsized due to corporate edict.
But he left having largely righted the listing Chrysler design ship. The ’63 Dart was of course still a bit out of the mainstream, with its prominent single front headlights and protruding front fenders, a design that it shared with the Chrysler Turbine car. The Turbine is typically associated with Engel, but undoubtedly much of it was already in the works, at least the basic front end design, before he put his stamp on it, which is quite visible on the sides, predicting the ’65 Chryslers.
In 1965, the Dart got a new grille which toned down the prominent headlights. The transition was underway. But the front fenders were still the same, or certainly mostly so.
For its 1966 finale, Chrysler saw fit to tool up new front fenders for the Dart (as well as the Valiant), to make the transition to the Engel era complete at least from the cowl forward.
But as can be seen here, that did not apply to the back two-thirds, although they were toned down as much as possible. Which means very little. The distinct roof line and rear fenders and tail lights were still classic late Exner; the last production cars to sport his influence. The end of an era.
Note: a rerun of an older post.
That Black 63 Shown looks very nice, not Over the top, and not too “toned down” (boring).
And a sad end indeed .
I love the ’64 & ’65 A body MoPars, great cars in style and performance, especially the GT’s .
-Nate
Only in hindsight do we appreciate Exner. His designs were not successful within the market after 1957. Contemporary reviews were unkind. Dealer franchises were canceled after seeing dreadful sales after 1957, especially after 1960. In hindsight we enjoy his approach, but we weren’t asked to buy a new car during those years. I highly doubt we’d be different from our grandparents’ choices back then. Look at the sales charts.
Here in Canada the 66 Valiant was identical to the 66 Dart. I had a blue 66 Valiant Custom 200 that was identical to the Dart in the picture. It had belonged to a cousin of my dad’s who had taken suddenly ill. When I got it it had literally sat in his garage with the keys in the ignition and his six year old newspaper on the front seat from the last time he’d driven it.
Had it running the same day I brought it home and on the road within a week.
With the slant six under the hood they were absolutely indestructible cars,
The ’63 Dart was one of Exners’ best works. The Turbine car rear was clearly the La Galaxie show car from the late 50s so Engel brought that and the Thunderbird roof to the table, but the design language for the front came from Exner.
The 1963 Dart was straight Exner. The only crash change that Engel made was the 1963 US Valiant. Exner’s 1963 Valiant had a sloping tail and high round rear wheel cutouts. For 1963 Engel made use of the sloping trunk lid but changed the Valiant rear quarter so the top edge was higher and boxier like the Dart and he lowered the rear wheel arch. The wagons kept the high wheel arch. The sloping tail Valiant still went into production in Australia.
Aussie Valiant
Interesting info, I knew Engle raised the quarters but didn’t know about the wheel arch.
I would guess the flat glass was done just for Oz to save costs though.
Personally I like the Aussie version a lot better, and not just because I’m Australian, I think the three differences add up to a much prettier car, the grille was simple and nice as well.
Three really good looking years of Darts. I prefer the ’65 myself. Make it a GT with the 273 V8 and (heaven help me) the front half vinyl roof.
Last cars absolutely, but let’s not forget the 1961 Dodge D series trucks that lived on until 1971 in ever more toned downed form!
Nor the A series vans through 1970, without a facelift, last of the pie plate headlight surrounds. pure Exner.
I like the 63 / 64 Darts the most, a very European look. The 66 the least, very homely with the perfectly vertical leading edge, and uninspired grille.
The 66 Barracuda is my favourite 2nd gen front end however, the best looking bumpers as well.
A “66”, “convert” would be awesome!
Drove a ’65 GT with 273. Silver and red interior. Pretty cool. It’s was the lil old lady from Pasadena’s car…..my grandmother. Should’na sold it. We traded it in for a new ’71 Dart 4 door with 318.