Initially introduced as a full-size vehicle in 1960, the Dodge Dart became an intermediate in 1962 and was downsized once again to compact car duty in 1963. Dodge eventually pushed the nameplate into the muscle car market by the end of the decade.
The first-generation compact wasn’t particularly potent. It came standard with a 170-cubic-inch (2.8-liter) inline-six rated at 101 horsepower, while the optional 225-cubic-inch (3.7-liter) mill provided 145 horses. In 1964, Dodge introduced a 273-cubic-inch (4.5-liter) LA V8 with 180 horsepower.
The latter gained a four-barrel layout and more oomph in 1965, but at 235 horsepower, the range-topping Dart was far from impressive. That changed in 1967 when Dodge unleashed a sportier-looking Dart with larger V8 engines. The lineup also included a four-barrel version of the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big-block.
Available in the range-topping, performance-oriented GTS trim, the lump came with 280 horsepower and 400 pound-feet (542 Nm) of torque on tap in 1967 and was upgraded to 300 horses in 1968. And while it wasn’t as potent as the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB that Dodge briefly offered in the Dart in 1970, it turned the compact into a worthy competitor for the larger muscle cars.
The 383-equipped Darts are also rare gems. Of the 8,295 GTS coupes and hardtops built in 1968, only 2,112 were ordered with the B-type V8. The red hardtop you see here is one of those cars.
A finely restored GTS that looks like it just left the assembly line in the late 1960s, this Dart is a highly original gem sporting a factory-correct PP1-code red finish. It’s adorned by double wrap-around black stripes to the rear, a feature that reminds me of the Scat Pack bundle. And all the “GTS” and “383” badges are in the right places.
It’s unclear whether the four-barrel, 300-horsepower V8 is numbers matching, but the engine bay is so clean that it doesn’t even matter. And besides being ready to impress at any Concours d’Elegance, the 383 sounds downright amazing while idling. There’s good news in the transmission department, too, thanks to a four-speed manual.
But get this: this Dart was ordered without any power features whatsoever. And that’s probably because the original owner wanted a lighter GTS to take to the drag strip on weekends. It’s the perfect setup given the 3.55 rear end and makes this Mopar worthy of the aftermarket “Super Bee” badge on the front fender.
And even though I don’t have specific figures to run by, the hardtop body style, the equipment, and the PP1 red paint make it much rarer than the average 383-equipped GTS. I’m pretty sure it’s one of fewer than 20 cars built like this.