Did you ever do something that made no rational sense, but you felt inspired, you felt good about it, and you did it anyway? Well, that’s what this is.
Now, I already have three classic cars, I like them, and I certainly didn’t need a fourth! But there was this ’60 Dart languishing unsold on Craigslist for about two months, and one day I got up in the morning and a voice said to me, “You should really look into that Dodge.”
So I pulled the trigger. What did I get? A gen-u-wine 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix 4-door sedan, solid Pewter Iridescent, slant 6, Torqueflite, power steering & brakes, 71K. The seller stated that the car originally came from Virginia. It’s a survivor–it physically exists now in the year 2021. No, it wasn’t fed into a crusher in the fall of ’69 . . . or abandoned in the woods, turning into a pile of rusty mush and shot full of bullet holes. It’s intact and in running condition this very day!
There was this magnetic plaque on the dashboard, so I googled “Dalke’s Family Drive-In” and it’s located near Winchester, Virginia, out toward the West Virginia line. That may explain why this Dodge is largely rust-free–mild winters and rural roads which may not be salted.
A big thing about this car is the fact that a lot of work had already been done on it, including: gas tank, rebuilt carb., electric fuel pump, alternator, electronic ignition, top end of engine rebuilt, all-new brakes (4 wheels + modern master cyl. & booster), gauges rebuilt, new seats, headliner, seat belts, and more. So I was buying about $6000 of restoration work . . . and about $2000 worth of car!
New seats!
With a lot of the expensive work already done, I could concentrate on small details and cosmetics. I cleaned the interior and isolated and eliminated a lot of rattles. Dome light now works. Replaced worn and missing door windlace. Had to replace brake shoes in parking brake because it wouldn’t hold (and you need it to hold, because the transmission has no PARK position!)
“Before & After”
First thing was to compound the paint, which was weather-beaten and stained. I applied Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound mixed with Comet cleanser using an electric buffer. Then a couple coats of wax and polish. Made a big difference, as you can see! The car is now one or two steps darker. Still, the finish is far from perfect; I’ll call it “patina paint”. It won’t win any trophies, but I don’t care about trophies!
Underhood insulation is available for 60-61 Dodge/Plymouth, so I bought it and attached it with spray adhesive.
I consider this 1960 Dodge Dart to be one of the ultimate early ’60s “Space Age” Mopars. The Darts were intended to compete model-for-model with full-sized, low-priced cars using its three series hierarchy: Seneca, Pioneer, and Phoenix. So my Phoenix is like the equivalent of a Chevy Impala or Ford Galaxie.
This car is loaded with all kinds of fascinating jet-age Mid-Century Modern design motifs: parabolas, ovals, fins, jet tubes, sweep-spears, starbursts, bubble windows, and push-buttons galore! Observe:
There are two of these (vents?) set into the contoured roof. (Held in place with factory phillips screws, no less!)
The cockpit–a Wurlitzer organ for the Space Age!
The speedometer is “see-through”, like the 1954-55 Fords.
There’s this little rubber oval under the ignition switch. Don’t know what it’s for–it’s not mentioned in the owner’s manual. Maybe to prevent keys from scratching paint?
Glove box emblem. Nowhere does the name “Dart” appear on the car!
Little details: the upswept fin with streamlined reflector housing; the jet-tube taillight with “ribbed” lens; the Phoenix name in modern cursive script; backup lamps that seem to emerge from the rear bumper in jet-like projections.
Me, driving my new Dart!
When details of title, registration, and insurance were finalized, it was time to take it out on the road! What’s it like? Well, the car runs and drives very nicely. Torsion-Aire ride is remarkably smooth and level–has a “gliding feel”. This combined with the easy power steering makes for light and pleasant handling. Slant 6–feels a little sluggish off the line, but once you’re going it gets turbine-smooth, torque builds, and you’ll swear you’re driving a V-8! Guys who say “Mopar or no car”–I know what they mean! I also have a Chevy, a Ford, and a Cadillac from the same era, and they each have their own unique “driving personalities”, even though they’re all front-engine, rear drive full-size Detroit sedans from the same era. They each have their charms, and are satisfying to drive in their own way.
I drove to Pine Blvd., Cedar Knolls NJ where, in the late ’70s, I was riding my bike and saw a ’60 Dodge for the first time (a black Pioneer, I believe). I parked my Dart in the exact same place and took this picture to “recreate the moment”.
Here’s my “closing thought”: As the late philosopher Joseph Campbell once said, “Follow your bliss.” If you have an inspiration, a desire, a passion (and it is not hurtful or stupid), I think you should follow your inner voice and go for it–even if your rational mind objects; even if other people won’t understand or share your enthusiasm. This applies not just to cars but lots of other things in life. The universe is on your side, and you are part of the universe.
I have only had my Dart for two weeks, and it’s been a lot of fun fixing it up, making it better, driving it, and having enlightening personal interactions with other people as a result of it. Maybe it’s time for you to get a Curbside Classic of your very own . . . and see what happenz!!
Congratulations! Great write-up. What’s the car’s back-story? Was it owned by someone who’d done the restoration work and then perhaps this was being sold by a relative overseeing the previous owner’s estate? Otherwise, I have a hard time seeing how that would have wound up on Craigslist. (But, good for you!)
The styling may not be for everyone (particularly the rear end, IMO), but geeze, if I had that I’d probably never get out from behind the wheel…just sitting there staring at that incredible dash. Love it!
Memories are made of this. In the 60’s I made my driver’s licence with this Dodge Dart in California and was amazed about the ‘push button dashboard’.
In those times the suspension of cars was conceived to be very smooth, so
when you surpassed 60 mph, you had the imression the car was ‘floating’ on the highway. I also drove a 1953 Ford convertible with a 3-speed manual transmission of my brother-in-law on Lombard Street in San Francisco.
Those were wonderful times that never come back.
What an awesome find! Congratulations on your acquisition! Enjoy every moment while it is in your care, which I believe will be many happy years of motoring.
What do figure this car weighs, maybe 3600 pounds?
https://www.oldride.com/library/1960_dodge_dart.html
The Phoenix 4-door sedan with the six cylinder engine had a shipping weight of 3,064 pounds. The heaviest slant-six powered Dart was the Pioneer 9-passenger wagon, which had a shipping weight of 3,875 pounds. The only Dart lighter than this one listed in the catalog was the Phoenix 4-door hardtop. I guess body rigidity took a back seat to style at the time, especially considering that I think these were unibody cars.
That 3,064 lbs. number is way off. No way a full size car of the times was that light.
My Encyclopedia of American cars lists the curb weight of the 1960 Phoenix six four door sedan at 3,420 lbs, right about what I would have guessed at. The 4-door hardtop was a bit heavier, at 3,460. The lightest of the series was the low end Seneca 2-door sedan at 3,385 lbs. The V8 9-pass, wagon was 4,065 lbs.
Update: I went to that oldcar car site, and they obviously mangled the numbers, as they have correct ones for the Seneca and Pioneer, but wrong ones for the Phoenix. Doesn’t exactly make sense for the top-trim Phoenix to be some 400 lbs lighter than the lower trim versions.
That makes more sense. I should have noticed the prices relative to the shipping weights and realized there was a problem. I thought the Phoenix wasn’t a high equipment trim level; merely based on this car’s monochromatic paint, its six cylinder engine, the limited number of available body styles, and the weights on the table.
I just noticed the “QQ” at the end of the license plate number. What is the significance of that designation, if any? Part of the historic registration ident?
QQ is New Jersey’s way of identifying vehicles registered as “Historic”, which is also embossed on the bottom of the plate.
I also love the “Crossroads of the Revolution” 1976 plate on the front. I have one of those in storage somewhere from my late grandfather’s ’75 Cordoba. They were allowed to replace the regular front plate for the bicentennial, then in ’77 everybody had to revert back to the standard front plate. I haven’t seen one in use in quite a long time.
Congratulations. That is a great find and in much better shape than the thunderbird I just picked up for the same price last month. I really hope you get to enjoy it for a long time. It’s great to see an old sedan instead of a coupe.
Do those front fenders really have a chrome spear on the top that rises UP into a little fin? That’s crazy!
Do they house turn signal indicators?
I love all the details on this car.
Handsome car! Probably the best looking of the ’60 Mopar line and absolutely regal in silver. What are you going to name it?
What would YOU name it? (“Christine” is already taken!)
Virgil! After the forward look king himself.
Phoebe – (Feebie) – the Phoenix
Adorable! I remember when Chrysler introduced these out as “low price field” fighters. They have all the gaudiness that one needs for the era. As for the instrument panel, before parking, do you check with “Mission Control?” Torsion bar suspension really was a great improvement and you have it on your Dart. Wishing you miles of good driving. John and Horace are smiling down at you.
That is so awesome, Poindexter. I cannot recall the last time I saw one of these in the metal. They have all but vanished from this Earth. I must admit, I’m a little jealous here!
About 3 weeks after I was born, my Dad traded his ’56 Chevy 210 in on one of these in light blue like the one pictured below. Since he was a young family man just starting out with a new baby, he couldn’t spring for the highly optioned Phoenix, and bought the Seneca instead. Like yours, he had the slant-six and push-button automatic, having wanted that feature after driving the Chevy with 3-on-the-tree for a few years.
For years, I thought he had a 2 door, having believed as many new parents did back then, that when you have kids, a coupe is safer. However, he said recently that is was a sedan, having not done the two-door thing until he traded the car in on a 1966 Impala when I was 5 going on 6, and my sister was 3.
BTW, THANKS for the interior shots! I was so young that I could not remember what the inside looked like. Hopefully, my parents car had a dash that looked that nice, even though they had the lowest spec model.
I always liked the “Rocket Engines” as I called them as a kid on the back of that car…
Talk about a coincidence Rick. My dad also owned ’60 Dart 4 door sedan which he traded in 1966 on a 1965 Impala 2-door! See my dad’s car in the post below.
This is proof positive that rational decision making is highly overrated.
Nice find! Enjoy!
nice ride. My sisters mother-in-law bought one new and it was different but not too different.
If you haven’t already, look at Charles Phoenix Joyride series on Youtube. He really likes these “Googie” cars and, while a little over the top, is very but entertaining.
This brings back good memories of my childhood. Growing up in the 60’s, I remember seeing these big 6cyl sedans of all makes parked at the church, or at the grocery store. Usually always driven by conservative depression era folks who new how to stretch a dollar. The Dodges, Plymouths, and Chryslers left an impression on my young self as they stood out more than the other makes. Great find and glad it keeps on surviving in new caring hands.
Congratulations on your purchase of this magnificent car! I especially like the color and monotone paint job.
I will admit a weakness for 1957-61 Mopar products, generally preferring them to their GM and Ford equivalents from the same model years based on looks alone. Chrysler really caught GM asleep and out of touch during those years, and the successful styling of the 1957 models caused GM to over-react with some really unfortunate designs in 1958-60. Ford, meantime, plodded along with relatively conservative designs. If I were a car buyer in 1960, I would have definitely chosen this Phoenix over the Impala and Fury as well as a Galaxie 500.
Especially in the case of the Fury (along with the Savoy and Belvedere), it didn’t helped with the weird frond end and the rear looked a lot like the 1957 and some people joked “suddenly it’s 1957”.
I wonder how the Dart 4-door sedan (along with the “senior” Matador and Polara) would have look had Chrysler soldiered with the 1957-59 roofline?
Thanks for sharing this. There seem to be an obligatory need to say “not my cup of tea” when responding to a post. Alas I fall into that category as these seem a bit “heavy” to me vs some of the other fwd look cars. But I only say that in the spirt of liking vodka and gin but not Scotch/Whisky/Bourbon. I get why you like it!! In fact that dashboard….wow, . Picturing driving that boat around with the SS-TF combo. Very cool. Does it have the signature mopar starter sound??? Hmmm maybe this Scotch does taste ok. ENJOY!
You just put a Dart in my heart. This is so wonderful; I absolutely love it. And it’s in just right condition, not too restored. That instrument panel and steering wheel alone are worth the price of admission. And the slant six and TF are the icing on the cake.
My brother had a ham radio buddy in Towson whose dad had one, and then later it became his. His dad was an engineer or such. I have very fond memories of riding in it, and seeing it parked out in a remote high spot on “Field Day”, when hams all took to the outdoors and tried to see how many contacts they could make.
I have not seen one of these Darts in ages. Congratulations, and I’m happy to know it found such a good home.
One of my aunts got married in 1960, and new Uncle decided that a new car was in order. Aunt told us about it: “Dodge Dart Phoenix.” It was metallic green, a four-door hardtop with Torqueflite and Slant Six. We looked on it with envy beside our frumpy 1957 Chevrolet Two-Ten wagon.
I did not like the 1957 Chevrolet, and resented how the clean, chaste 1955 and 1956 Chevies got weighed down in baroque excess to make the 1957 resemble a Cadillac. To this day I would rather own a 1960 Dodge than a 1957 Chevrolet. Congratulations on yours!
Very Nice!! I agree with PN on the condition – it is just right.
About 1980 I test drove a silver 61 Plymouth sedan with that same powertrain. I owned my 59 Fury at the time and I recall the unit body 61 as a significantly tighter structure.
I am on the fence on the engine – I love the slant six, but I also am of the school that thinks a V8 engine was sort of minimum standard in large cars of that day. But for the kind of driving you will be doing, it won’t be a problem. I presume the seats have had upholstery work done? That looks like a fairly modern fabric in that seat shot.
I just looked again and noticed the bright trim around the door uppers/window frames. I have seen so many Mopar sedans of the 1960-64 era and don’t recall ever seeing any sedan that was not plain paint there – was that a single-year feature? It really dresses this one up. You made me take a close look at the high-end Dart, and I am far more impressed than I had been!
What a cool car, and the fact it is a four door post with Slant Six makes it even more cool!
Man, that’s a sweet ride. I love everything about it, but I think my favorite bit is the slant-6. I imagine you’ll have a lot of fun popping the hood and surprising people who expect to see a giant V-8 in there. I think you’ve got the right idea with your “one of each” car collecting strategy. Regarding what you might name the car? This car is a stately matron. Sure, she wears a lot of jewelry in the form of chrome trim, but she’s dignified. Gotta have an old-fashioned name. Henrietta, Louise, or something like that.
This was a very popular car. The entire Dart line helped save Dodge. Why are they rare?
One day, Mr. Stelter across the street, climbed into his new 1960 Phoenix wagon and my dad climbed into his year-old LeSabre and my pregnant mom watched both neighbors back straight out into one another. She said all she could do was yell!
Mr. Stelter’s Phoenix wagon was white and I vaguely remember it, mostly the rear end with those large tail lights, and the fins above them. At that age, all I knew was the color of a car, and even then, I bet I was wrong most of the time.
Good question, it seems they don’t have a following like the 1955-57 “tri-five” Chevy, the Ford Mustang and the later A-body Dart along with the Coronet, Charger and Challenger.
The entire Dart line helped saving Dodge but at the expanse of Plymouth and perhaps to a latter extent DeSoto and ironic then the Dart was sold as DeSoto Diplomat for export markets. Speaking of the DeSoto Diplomat, I saw some interesting photos.
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=65293
What a fantastic car. And that’s one of the most exciting-looking dashboards I’ve ever seen.
Also, I owe many sincere apologies to the color gray, for calling it boring on so many occasions. This Pewter gray color looks outstanding on this car.
Great Car for a great price and “the engine is suspended in space” wonderful..
>>[ *A P P R O V E D* ]<<
Whotta terrific find! Drive it with a smile.
Terrific car! Chrysler could be so hit and miss in the years 1957 – 1962, and I count this a bona fide hit! The details on this car are a lot of fun, and the front end is a favorite of mine!
The public agreed, and with 300k sales, the ’60 Dart was a hit in a fairly dark time for Chrysler. And, of course they totally screwed it up with the ugly pug ’61 Dart and saw sales plunge by 63%!
Love your high trim Phoenix, wouldn’t have it any other way!
Very cool car; I’ve actually never seen one of these in the metal before. Lots of really cool space age touches. Some of that interior reminds me of the really far out ’59 Caddy my uncle had when I was a kid, which left a big impression on me.
I love the way this piece closed! Classic car ownership is not for everyone, even those who appreciate classics and read the articles on this site. But there’s a unique joy in owning your own classic, and it’s all the better when it’s a survivor and not a garage queen.
How very nice that previous owners looked after the car well—and I join in congratulations to its new beloved owner. You won’t see yourself coming & going at the car shows .
I’ll admit the business of using Comet cleanser on the exterior scary, but it seems to have worked.
BTW, it sounds logical that the oval rubber “pod” below the Ignition switch exists to avoid key scratches—-nice, of course, how it echoes what’s on the glove box.
Very cool car, in a preserved state that seems “just right” to me, too. Hooray!
Nicest looking Mopar that year and also for 1961, in my opinion.
I loved all the forward look cars – I was very, very young at the time. They were just so fantastically different from everything else and I had just come back from living in England and the new Chryslers were something that materialized from the far distant future. I could never decide which was my favourite though the doomed Desoto usually got my affection.
But seeing this perfect Dart in that perfect colour has resolved my indecision. The closeups of the grille detail and instrument panel would be enough though there is so much more.
Never feel bad about buying something you like; if your bills are paid, you’re good. Great find…Congratulations!
If you haven’t already, start looking for advertising for the ’60 Dart…their ad campaign had really nice photography.
If I’d been old enough to drive and had the money to buy a new car in 1960, a Dodge Dart would likely have been it. It’s great that the car is in such good shape!
A fabulous looking Dodge in a great color with a tremendous drivetrain. There is nothing but good stuff here.
This was a great catch and the best use of silver I’ve seen on a car in years. May you drive many joyful and carefree miles in it.
Nothing irrational about gas tank, rebuilt carb., electric fuel pump, alternator, electronic ignition, top end of engine rebuilt, all-new brakes (4 wheels + modern master cyl. & booster), gauges rebuilt, new seats, headliner, seat belts, and more . . . and about $2000…
Hell, someone needing a low buck DD who doesn’t need AC could do a whole lot worse considering today’s inflated used car prices. And I bet that slant 6 could squeeze out 20mpg if driven conservatively.
Curb side Classic effect! Saw a 60 Dodge…looked like a base model on Vancouver Island a few days back. Red, whitewalls, and dog dishes!
Bright cherry red 4-door? If so, yep, that’s a V8-powered car, for sale, that lives (or lived, if it has a new owner now) somewhere along 1st not too far from Commercial.
I believe I had the pleasure of admiring your car a few weeks ago at Kantor’s in Boonton while they were working on the emergency brake. Very nice. I live in Boonton and stop by their place even when I don’t need any work done just to see what “toys” they have that day
Congratulations! Very nice find. Collectible Automobile recently ran a good article on these early Darts. I have a soft spot for the 1960 Darts because my dad owned a 1960 Dart Pioneer. His was a slant-six with a tree on the tree. Maybe the torqueflite is a better option because his transmission was quite problematic which is why he traded it in 1966 on an Impala. See the attached photo of my dad’s car in about 1965 shortly before he sold it.
Also on the paint restoration, check this post:
https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/25304-secret-removing-oxidation-restoring-show-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html
I have used the above method with great success. It’s a lot of elbow grease but it does wonders to bring back the paint. Ultimate compound is good, but this method blows it out of the water.
Wow Vince, that link is the best thing I have ever seen on dealing with old paint!! Old metallic paint is so frustrating to deal with. This has been incredibly helpful as I still deal with single stage white paint on my DD Honda Fit, and have been concerned that continued used of aggressive products will eventually see me polishing right through it.
You scored. A car which is by now almost certainly unique and has always been fascinating on all kinds of levels wound up in exactly the right hands. And I got to read about it and see the pics. Win-Win-Win. Thank you.
Congrats on your new classic! What a bargain for 2 grand. I’ve never been able to keep straight the pecking order of these Dart trims, but maybe your story will help in the future (gotta keeping remembering Seneca, Pioneer, Phoenix).
While not my favorite expression of Exnuberance (I prefer the 1957-58 and 1960 Chryslers), the Dart has a much more rational fin design than the senior Matador and Polara series. And the ’60 has a much nicer front than the sad-faced ’61 Dodge.
Very cool car. I say that because the first car that I ever really noticed was this one when my father brought in home brand new in 1960 when I was 6 years old. Whether it was a new company car or his car I don’t know. In fact I don’t even remember riding in it at all. However, I do remember the blue exterior, blue interior, and the long sweeping quarters with those big round tail lights. Most of all I remember my introduction to the new car smell that day.
Good price too since there really is no demand for these old 4 door sedans/hardtops. The fact that the car called you reminds me of the 4-5 months the Parklane I bought was listed till I said enough is enough… buy it!
That car is a real looker, in and out. There is so much fancy trim and doo dads, very Populuxe and Space Age. My Dad bought a 1961 Seneca model back in the mid 70’s. Wow, you can tell that it was the econo choice. There weren’t even any fins anymore. Very plain inside, even radio delete! It was a two door sedan with slant six and three on the tree. I was in my late teens and got to drive it a lot. It really began to grow on me as a very honest car, but your Phoenix is quite glamorous! Looks like you made a great buy.
Cc effect? Go to this video. 2:36. https://youtu.be/6RzZ-6YXHLg
Wow what a find ! .
I owned a two door Phoenix in 1976 or so, it was a gift and had a “rebuilt” J.C.Whitney AM radio in it that said “DESOTO” on the faceplate .
These were *very* good drivers and easily tweaked to out handle the stock adjustments due to the torsion bars .
Is there any way you can clear coat or otherwise save that glorious original paint ? .
-Nate
Among early 60’s Mopars, this has just the right amount of weirdness. Not too over the top, manages to be interesting rather than ugly.
Sounds like the prior owner took a bath? (Financially that is.) Too bad, may dissuade others from engaging in similar refurb efforts.
Like George Hill, another Boontonite here. In my daily walk a few days ago, I passed what I assume to be your car (unless there’s another gray ’60 Dodge in town). It’s a beauty, and I’m glad you & the Dart found each other!
Late to the party, but my Dad’s 60 Matador had the exact same steering wheel and color dash in it! Thanks for the memories!! Glad you followed your heart and not your head!! 🙂
Very cool write-up about a very neat find !
( I own a patina/blue metallic ’60 Seneca 2 door post. The only option it has is the heater , so I find this a quite entertaining read…. )
LOVE it !!!!!!
Nice car, especially at 61 years old! I like these a lot, but probably lean more to the ’61. Though I wasn’t much of a fan of MOPAR styling in the early 60’s at least you could say they weren’t copying GM or Ford, something they might have been accused of in later years…they certainly were distinct.
At that time (actually a year later, 1961) My Father was actually going another way, he had bought a new ’56 Plymouth when he graduated from college, with no options (flathead 6, standard transmission, no radio, not sure whether it had a heater, but if it did it would have been the only option). He hadn’t met my mother yet when he bought it; she learned to drive on a 1951 Chrysler Windsor with semi-automatic transmission, but has never been comfortable driving anything other than a full automatic (she just stopped driving this year). After they married, they had the Plymouth for about 5 years, but they also had my sister and I and our associated paraphernalia, but they actually downsized to a ’61 Rambler classic wagon with an automatic, which likely had less passenger space but more load carrying space. It was their only car for another 5 years, so it had to suit my Mother too, though it was rare that she had the car when my Father wouldn’t be available to drive. I remember walking with my Mother to the store more than once when she needed something that they hadn’t bought and brought home in the car (in the evening or weekend when my Dad wasn’t working).
My Dad wasn’t to buy another MOPAR for 20 years, when he got a 1980 Dodge Omni, and then again a 1986 Dodge 600 (never bought another Plymouth nor other MOPAR). He liked the Rambler enough to buy another (1963) classic wagon in a row. I don’t know how the Rambler compared in size to the Dart (especially after 1962 when it was downsized…but even the standard sized Dodge had been downsized. Both Ramblers had 6’s, he didn’t get a V8 until the last Rambler was totalled in an accident in 1965 when he bought (still not full sized) an Olds F85 wagon, with the 330. Both Dodges he owned in the 80’s were 4 cylinders (but this was right at the time when cars were being downsized). He returned to 6’s for his last cars (three Mercury Sables in a row, then 2 Chevy Impalas)…though they were of course no longer flatheads like the one in his ’56 Plymouth…and he was always to have at least one car with an automatic for my Mother.
This beautiful 1960 Phoenix 2dr is in Oregon… just sitting in my shop and waiting for a new owner. I restored the car over 20 years ago with my dad and we swapped the original 318 with a 413 Wedge motor and a 727. PPG paint still looks good. Message me if interested.