The smaller Dodge Dart, designed to fit the family pocketbook as well as the family garage, will be offered in 20 sedan, station wagon, hardtop and convertible models.
"These economy cars are designed to compete in price and size, series for series, with the automobile industry's low-priced big three," said M.C. Patterson, Dodge general manager. "The Dodge Dart makes it the 'big four' now."
The 1960 models will be available in three series --the lowest priced Seneca, the Pioneer and the top-series Phoenix.
The roomy Dodge Dart, which is styled in classic lines, features its own distinctive interior and exterior.
A choice of engines -- designed to use regular fuel and to suit the needs of every buyer -- is offered. The Seneca and Pioneer models feature the completely new Economy Slant "6" as standard equipment. Also available is the 318-cubic-inch Red Ram V-8 engine with a two-barrel carburetor.
The top-line Phoenix has a 318-cubic-inch Red Ram V-8 with a four-barrel carburetor as standard equipment. The new "D-500" Ram Induction engine also is available in this model with a 383-cubic-inch displacement.
New rubber block and heavy coil spring engine mountings used on all 1960 Dodge engines achieve the largest reduction of engine vibrations since Dodge first introduced V-8's.
Matching the six-cylinder engine is a completely new automatic transmission -- the TorqueFlite-"Six" -- featuring fully automatic three-speed torque converter shifting. The new transmission provides the utmost in convenience while still preserving the economy inherent in this over-head valve six-cylinder engine.
The body and the frame are integrated into a single unified structure by this new method of construction. The "Unibody" gives extra room on the inside -- including spacious legroom, ample headroom and high seats -- and greater structural strength. It also provides a higher level of comfort and quiet for the driver and passengers.
Extensive tests have proven the 1960 "Unibody" construction is nearly four times as strong as cars built by conventional body and frame methods.
The most intensive rustproofing and anti-corrosion process ever used in the automobile industry has been adopted by Dodge for 1960. Twenty separate operations are involved in the body protection and finishing process. They include seven different dipping steps, seven external sprays and six coats of sealers, primers, and "Lustre-Bond" enamels.
This means more driving pleasure -- and greater value for more years -- which will please men.
And women particularly, will love the roomy interior and comfortable seat heights, especially in the rear passenger area.
The will be able to get in and out of the new Dodge Dart easily, with plenty of room for knees -- because of large door openings.
Younger people will like the liberal use of glass, which creates an airy outdoor feeling suggestive of a convertible. They will also enjoy the large sky-view rear window, available on hardtop models in shaded glass that cuts out 85 percent of the sun's heat.
The front features a grille with vertical bars that curve down and forward from the hood. Dual headlights and a massive bumper also highlight the front styling. From the side, the new car is accented by a horizontal molding that begins ahead of the front door and extends to the rear bumper. The rear fender rises almost imperceptibly to its extremity, except in station wagon models where a small fin is canted outward from the body line.
The rear bumper has smooth lines and includes the gas filler in the bumper and round, well-protected backup lights. The rear license plate is inset in the broad, sleek surface of the deck lid.
Optional automatic swivel seats that swing out to meet you when the door next to an empty seat is opened, and then swing back to the straight ahead position when the door is closed. When a pasenger or driver is in the seat, he need only move his body to get out and the seat will swivel.
Two-position door checks that hold doors firmly either in a half-open or full-open position.
Unique, easy-to-operate aircraft type interior door handles that are built into the new long front armrest of the Phoenix and Pioneer and into the conventional armrest of the Seneca.
Optional "Child Guard" vacuum-powered door locks that operate from an instrument panel switch to provide one-switch locking or unlocking of all doors and tailgate window one wagons.
Front vent windows that pull open easily with one hand.
Quiet outside door latches that open with fingertip ease, and when locked, are freewheeling so they can't be damaged by pulling on the handle.
Padded dashboards.
Full-width sun visors that shield out glare.
Deep-dish four-spoke steering wheel that is available with automatic transmissions.
Recessed control knobs on the instrument panel.
Optional transistorized radios that include a rear-speaker in all sedans and hardtops except the Seneca. The standard radio has a front speaker only.
A simplified top release on convertibles that has a single control handle.
A four-light warning flasher system, dealer installed, that causes all turn signal lights to flash continuously -- for safety when stopped on the highway.
An all-aluminized exhaust system that offers up to double the life of exhaust components.
The entire interior of every model has been daringly designed to keynote this important area -- the driver's side of the front seat in most models is higher than the remainder of the seat back.
This new seat design provides added support for the driver and introduces a "six=passenger" look to further point up the large, airy interior.
A foot-operated parking brake is located under the left side of the instrument panel.
The transmission push buttons are safely located on the instrument panel to the left of the driver and the push-button heater and air-conditioning controls are placed at the same height to the right of the driver.
The translucent plastic speedometer extends above the dashboard just below the line of vision so it can be read easily by the driver. To prevent nighttime reflections on the windshield, a graceful, slender canopy arches over the speedometer face.
Just as there is a choice of engines, there is a wide choice of harmonizing easy-to-clean interiors, all color-keyed to the exteriors.
There is handsome leather-grained all-vinyl, or a smart combination of color-fast nylon warp fabrics and the long-lasting vinyl.
The Dodge Dart offers a wide variety of "Lustre-Bond" super enamel colors for the family to choose from.
A sleek, chrome, contour luggage rack, dealer installed, that holds up to 25 square feet of roof-top cargo.
Chrome assist handles that facilitate getting in and out of the rear-facing third seat in the nine-passenger wagons.
A power-operated tailgate window, with control switches on the instrument panel and above the rear window, that is standard for the nine-passenger and optional on the six-passenger wagons.
Positive latches on the second seat, operated by a convenient lever from either side, to keep the seat back upright.
An exclusive safety latch which permits the tailgate to be opened only when the window is rolled down, and a double latch released.
A covered spare tire conveniently stored underneath the third seat.