The highly popular Dart will close out the 1970 model year with record sales in a depressed auto market and with bullish conditions predicted for 1971 compacts.
"We expect to end the 1970 model year with Dart sales about 191,000 units," said Robert B. McCurry, Dodge General Manager.
"Our best previous year was 1965, when our dealers retailed 188,449 Darts."
McCurry said he expected Dart to take nearly 18 percent of the compact car market and account for some 45 percent of Dodge sales for the 1970 model year.
"We will retain and improve upon this value in the 1971 Dodge Dart."
The base engine in the Dart lines will be the 198 cubic-inch Slant Six cylinder power plant with an optional 225 cubic-inch six cylinder and 318 cubic-inch V-8.
| Wheelbase | 111" | |
| Overall Length | 196.2" | |
| Width | 69.7" | |
| Height | 53.8" | |
| Track | Front | 57.4" |
| Rear | 55.5" | |
| Headroom | Front | 38.3" |
| Rear | 37.3" | |
| Legroom | Front | 41.6" |
| Rear | 35.8" | |
| Shoulder Room | Front | 55.4" |
| Rear | 55.5" | |
| Hiproom | Front | 57.2" |
| Rear | 57.2" | |
The 111-inch-wheelbase Dart remains the king of the compacts with added interior dimensions and trunk size over the "standard" smaller compact entries.
The rear bumper receives a new quad taillight treatment. Four rectangular slots in the bumper contain rear lights. Backup lights are located inboard. Turning signal, parking and running lights are outboard.
Dart Swinger hardtop side ornamentation includes a thin, bright sill moulding with black paint treatment below the sill to create a new, lower body character line.
The Dart Custom four-door sedan has a bright, full-length body side moulding with black paint fill to provide parking lot protection. Black vinyl inserts for the moulding are optional.
New front head restraints are incorporated for 1971. The molded plastisol-applied head restraints will be standard and add a high degree of attractiveness to the compact line interiors.
New-style bucket seat with integral head restraints are optional. When bucket seats are ordered with the Swinger hardtop, the car receives "GT" nameplates.
A new gold color will be available in vinyl tops. Other colors are green, black and white.
The kickdown system automatically shifts the automatic transmission into second gear to provide added passing power in the 10 to 40 mph range without the need to use full throttle.
This system prevents loss of fuel vaports from the carburetor and fuel tank to the atmosphere. These vaports are vented through lines to the crankcase by way of the crankcase air cleaner.
The vapors are then either stored in the crankcase, if the engine is not running, or are purged from the crankcase through the crankcase ventilation system into the engine where they are burned.
The heart of this sytem is a solenoid valve in the vacuum line to the distributor which senses vehicle speed, manifold vacuum, and ambient temperature to determine the proper spark advance for optimum NOx control.
The emissions system meets California requirements while maintaining satisfactory hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emission levels.