The Dodge Dart is famously known for its compact-sized layout. Introduced in 1963, it soldiered on through 1976, moving millions of examples. But before it became a popular compact, the Dart spent three years in the full-size and intermediate segments.
The Dart debuted in 1960 as a downsized large automobile developed to replace Plymouths in the low-priced segment. It was sold alongside the Matador and Polara. That didn’t last long, though. In 1962, only two years after its introduction, the Dart was re-assigned to midsize duty.
The Seneca, Pioneer, and Phoenix trim nomenclature was dropped, and Dodge adopted a numerical hierarchy. The lineup now included the Dart, Dart 330, Dart 440, and Polara 500. Are you confused about the latter? Well, the Polara was also downsized in 1962 and was sold as an intermediate automobile through 1964.
Unlike the Polara, the midsize Dart was around for just one model year. In 1963, Dodge redesigned it into the compact car we’re all more familiar with. The midsize Dart is nearly forgotten, which isn’t surprising given its short stint in showrooms and controversial design (which I love, but I get its polarizing nature).
However, the 1962 Dart is worth remembering for a very good reason. It was among the Mopars that got the Super Stock factory racing treatment and the Max Wedge V8 engine. The spiritual predecessor to the 426 HEMI, the Max Wedge found its way into only a few Darts, rendering the combo very rare.
The Dart 440 you see here is not one of those desirable Max Wedge rigs, but it enjoys a similar sleeper status thanks to a big-block upgrade under the hood. Specifically, this Mopar packs a 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) V8 of the Magnum variety. Yup, it’s not period-correct, but it delivers more oomph than any V8 available in the Dart at the time (not including the Max Wedge, of course).
While Chrysler began using RB-block engines in 1959, the 440 version did not arrive until 1965. Originally rated at 350 horsepower, the 440 got a higher-performance version with 375 horses in 1967. Two years later, Chrysler debuted the iconic six-barrel 440, good for 390 horsepower. It was known as the Six-Pack in Dodge vehicles.
There’s no info on output for the 440 in this Dart, but the mill isn’t entirely stock, so I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that it cranks out more than 400 horsepower. And it’s a fitting upgrade to a Dart that also sports a custom metallic red paint and a two-tone interior combining red and gray.
The quality of the build appears to be top-notch at first glance, and I’m surprised someone chose to pour a lot of dough into a car that doesn’t get a lot of attention nowadays. But as a fan of 1962 Dodge/Plymouth designs, I’m actually excited this Dart is a shiny restomod instead of a rusty carcass in a junkyard. Check it out in the video below.
