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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 403
Location: California | Hi,I was wondering if anyone here knew how many 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix and full sized Dodge 4 door hardtops were produced. I know the Dart line really hurt sales of the full sized dodges,but you don’t seem to see many 4 door hardtops in the dart line either. I guess the people who bought four door cars back then were more practical and thrifty and didn’t want to spring for the “sport sedans”.
I had asked this question in the for sale section where someone had posted a Phoenix 4dr hardtop,but nobody replied. | |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | I used to host a 1960 Dodge web site years ago, long gone now but I still have the html pages saved - I have copied the info and pasted it here.
1960 Dart Phoenix | Weight (lb) | Wheelbase (in.) | Price ($US) | Production | 2 dr HT, slant. 6 | 3,410 | 118 | $2,618 | 1,648 | 2 dr HT, V-8 | 3,605 | 118 | $2,737 | 21,036 | convertible, sl. 6 | 3,460 | 118 | $2,868 | 519 | convertible, V-8 | 3,690 | 118 | $2,988 | 7,002 | 4 dr sedan, slant 6 | 3,420 | 118 | $2,595 | 3,305 | 4 dr sedan, V-8 | 3,610 | 118 | $2,715 | 24,893 | 4 dr HT, slant 6 | 3,460 | 118 | $2,677 | 1,091 | 4 dr HT, V-8 | 3,655 | 118 | $2,796 | 13,361 | 4 dr wagon, sl 6 6 passenger | * | 122**** | * | 3 | 4 dr wagon, V-8 6 passenger | * | 122**** | * | 195 | 4 dr wagon, sl 6 9 passenger | * | 122**** | * | 1 | 4 dr wagon, V-8 9 passenger | * | 122**** | * | 121 | Total Phoenix | | | | 73,175 |
* Dart Phoenix models were not officially built as station wagons in the USA, but production records indicate that at least the small amount shown here (Total 320) were actually assembled. One source (Mr. Gregory Mansell), confirmed by Bill Watson, of Vancouver, BC, Canada says that these wagons were built specifically for the Canadian market, since there was no happy medium between a lower priced Pioneer wagon and the upmarket Polara hardtop wagon. Since the Matador was not available in Canada, the solution was to badge this wagon as a Phoenix. Unfortunately, all Dart wagons, like Matadors and Polaras, were built on the 122 inch wheelbase. The rear fender opening on the 122" w.b. cars was several inches HIGHER than the fender opening on the non-wagon Darts, which were built on the 118" w.b. The double molding with the bright trim insert used on Phoenix cars, therefore, could not be applied to the wagons, as there was not enough room above the fender opening because the horizontal ridge where the mouldings were applied was too close to the top of the fender for it to fit. This was not a problem with either the Seneca or Pioneer wagons, as they did not use this double moulding with the bright aluminum insert. The solution: These Canadian Phoenix wagons had Polara / Matador side trim and taillights installed, and were dubbed "Phoenix Sport Suburbans"! These photos are taken from a Canadian brochure. You can confirm this is a Dart by the script on the tailgate which matches the written "Dodge" script on the Darts. On Matador and Polara, "Dodge" was spelled out in block letters on the tailgate. The frontal shot shows the Dart grille installed on what would otherwise be a Matador Wagon. The interior is straight out of a Plymouth. Note the red lenses in the fins - these were not available on production models - a chrome insert was placed in the area as it was too hard to get into the area to replace bulbs. 1960 Dart Seneca | Weight (lb) | Wheelbase (in.) | Price ($US) | Production | 2 dr sedan, slant 6 | 3,385 | 118 | $2278.00 | 28,698 | 2 dr sedan, V-8 | 3,530 | 118 | $2,397.00 | 8,854 | 4 dr sedan, slant 6 | 3,420 | 118 | $2,330.00 | 54,415 | 4 dr sedan, V-8 | 3,600 | 118 | $2,449.00 | 26,342 | 4 dr wagon, sl. 6, 6 Passenger | 3,805 | 122**** | $2,695.00 | 10,054 | 4 dr wagon, V-8, 6 Passenger | 3,975 | 122**** | $2,815.00 | 10,541 | Total Dart Seneca | | | | 138,904 |
Edited by imopar380 2020-04-13 8:03 PM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | 1960 Dart Pioneer | Weight (lb) | Wheelbase (in.) | Price ($US) | Production | 2 dr sedan, slant 6 | 3375 | 118 | $2,410 | 4,307 | 2 dr sedan, V-8 | 3,540 | 118 | $2,530 | 4,942 | 2 dr HT, slant 6 | 3,410 | 118 | $2,488 | 9,168 | 2 dr HT, V-8 | 3,610 | 118 | $2,607 | 15,609 | 4 dr sedan, sl. 6 | 3,430 | 118 | $2,459 | 19,415 | 4 dr sedan, V-8 | 3,610 | 118 | $2,578 | 32,821 | 4 dr wagon, sl 6, 6 passenger | 3,820 | 122**** | $2,787 | 2,299 | 4 dr wagon V-8, 6 passenger | 4,000 | 122**** | $2906 | 12,710 | 4 dr wagon sl 6. 9 passenger | 3,875 | 122**** | $2,892 | 1,245 | 4 dr wagon, V-8, 9 passenger | 4,065 | 122**** | $3,011 | 8,573 | Total Pioneer | | | | 111,089 |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | 1960 Dodge Matador V-8 | Weight (lb) | Wheelbase (in.) | Price ($US) | Production | 2 door sedan | ** | 122 | ** | 2 | 4 door sedan | 3,725 | 122 | $2,930 | 14,185 | 2 door hardtop | 3,705 | 122 | $2,996 | 6,119 | 4 door hardtop | 3,820 | 122 | $3,075 | 3,257 | 4 door wagon, 6 passenger | 4,045 | 122 | $3,239 | 2,514 | 4 door wagon, 9 passenger | 4,120 | 122 | $3,354 | 1,831 | Total Matador | | | | 27,908 |
1960 Dodge Polara V-8 | Weight (lb) | Wheelbase (in.) | Price ($US) | Production | 4 door sedan | 3,735 | 122 | $3.141 | 5,820 | 4 door hardtop | 3,815 | 122 | $3,275 | 3,186 | 2 door hardtop | 3,740 | 122 | $3,196 | 3,439 | convertible coupe | 3,765 | 122 | $3,416 | 1,279 | 4 door HT wagon 6 passenger | 4,085 | 122 | $3,506 | 1,236 | 4 door HT wagon 9 passenger | 4,220 | 122 | $3,621 | 1,768 | Total Polara | | | | 16,728 | Total 1960 Dodge | | | | 367,804 *** |
** 2 Door Sedan, 122 inch wheelbase models were not officially built, but the 1960 Dodge Police Pursuit Brochure shows artists renderings of them, and production records indicate that at least TWO Matador 2 door sedans were built. Below is a factory photo of one of these rare cars. The Police Pursuit cars on the 122 inch wheelbase also carry Dart grilles. No model names appeared on the body of the car, but we assume they were Matadors as per production records. Canadian Models: All 1960 Dodge Dart Models built in Canada were equipped with Plymouth dashboards and upholstery. Note also that the V8 models were equipped with a 313, not a 318 as in the USA, although the engines were virtually identical. The 313 has a slightly smaller bore. Why?? Your guess is as good as mine! However, a New Zealand visitor (Aaron Te One) to the 60 Dodge web site gives this information, as follows: "The reason for this relates to the cost of registration in Commonwealth countries ie: Canada, New Zealand, Australia etc. The 318 block upped the registration cost into another price bracket so hence (Commonwealth Darts) got the 313 block. This registration system has long since changed in New Zealand and probably most of the other Commonwealth countries as well. Most of the Pioneers assembled in New Zealand were originally intended for South Africa I believe (but made it to New Zealand instead)" 1960 Dodge Matadors were not offered in Canada. The Polara was the only full sized luxury Dodge offered that year in Canada, and it was built as an interesting hybrid of the US Matador and Polara. On the exterior, all trim is identical to the US built Polara, however, the seats and door panel upholstery were taken directly from the Matador. Interior garnish mouldings ( on hardtops only ) were chrome plated, however, not painted as they were on the Matador. ( All sedans used painted mouldings ). The engine used was also the smaller 361 V8, as on the Matador. A Carter 4 barrel carb with dual exhausts was offered as a power-pak option with the 361; the D-500 Ram induction was not offered in Canada on any models, unless you purchased a convertible, which were imported from the U.S. assembly plant.
Edited by imopar380 2020-04-13 8:00 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 403
Location: California | Thank you very much “imopar380” for sharing this wealth of info. It answered a lot of questions. I didn’t realize the full sized lineup sold that poorly. Too bad you still don’t have your 60 dodge site up.
Interesting that there was only a matter of $81 difference standing in between 4dr sedan ownership vs a 4dr hardtop in the Phoenix v8 line and that was apparently enough to deter buyers from choosing the sport sedan. (About $706 in today’s money)
I didn’t know about the Canadian “Phoenix sport suburban” either,but I did wonder why the wagons always had the full sized Dodges bigger fins. In my opinion the dart should have also had larger fins.I’ve always felt the darts were too small and subtle. Did the Canadian wagon actually have “Phoenix sport suburban” emblems on it? I had a chance at a wagon about 8 years ago but it was in very poor shape so I passed. I do like the wagons though. Especially the four door hardtop wagons.
In my opinion the 60 Dodge Dart and full sized cars have the wildest dashes of any Dodge.
Edited by Suddenlyits1960! 2020-04-13 11:50 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Suddenlyits1960! - 2020-04-13 10:40 PM
Interesting that there was only a matter of $81 difference standing in between 4dr sedan ownership vs a 4dr hardtop in the Phoenix v8 line and that was apparently enough to deter buyers from choosing the sport sedan. (About $706 in today’s money)
It may have been more than just the money. By 1960, many buyers had experienced life with a Detroit-built pillarless hardtop. It might have been a smart decision to opt for a car that was a little less sporty but didn't leak like a screen door or howl like a banshee.
Just a guess... | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 403
Location: California | Good point! We live with them now and take them out in good weather,but I can imagine how livid a new car owner would have been the first time there was a heavy rain and their floors welled up with water. I had that happen to me,with good weatherstripping. | |
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