The Dodge Dart nameplate first appeared in 1960 as a group name for a slightly smaller full-size car. The sedans were the Dart Seneca and the station wagons Dart Pioneer, both on large 118-inch wheelbases. The Dart Phoenix was added in 1961 as top trim level, but it was still big, with bizarre “reverse fins.” The year 1961 then saw Dodge introduce the Lancer.

In 1962 the Dart name was applied to a whole series of mid-sized cars on a 116-inch wheelbase. They were full lines, with the 330 including two- and four-door sedans, a two-door hardtop and two station wagons, while the high-line 440 included two- and four-door hardtops, a four-door sedan, a convertible and two station wagons. The Polara 500 was the top level Dart model and offered two- and four-door hardtops and a convertible. Meanwhile, the “big” Dodge was the 880, and it replaced the DeSoto. Clearly the Dodge line was in a state of complete confusion and had also sued Daimler in England to remove the name Dart from their fiberglass roadster, hence known as the SP250 in the U.S.

In 1963, changes were made that would shape the entire line for the next 13 years. A larger compact was introduced to replace the discontinued Lancer. The new 1963 Dodge Dart was offered in four series, offering nine body styles with a full width, concave grille and large headlight buckets on each end, and full-length crease below the widows. Another styling line joined the wheel arches and flew away at the rear to meet round taillights.

All Darts rode on a larger 111-inch compact wheelbase, (except the station wagon which remained 106.5 inches) and would prove to be the ideal size, being powered by everything from the modest 101 bhp 170 cid slant six in 1963 through monstrous 390 bhp 440 cid V-8s by 1969.

For 1963, all Dodge Darts were powered by slant six engines, either the 170 cid or a 225 cid version. These were canted 30 degrees to the right for a low hood line, with a single carburetor easily accessible on top. The engine was to prove virtually indestructible, and two main body designs lasted from 1963-66 and 1967-76. All Darts had torsion bar front suspension and semi-elliptic rear leaf springs.

The base Dart 170 series offered a two-door and four-door sedan and four-door station wagon, beginning at $1,983. A total of 51,300 Dart 170s were sold their first year. The mid-level model was the 270, which also included a convertible and started at $2,079. The Dart GT was the top-line model offered in either two-door hardtop or convertible. With 106,943 units delivered, the Dart was the fastest selling Dodge for 1963.

The ’63 Dart was pretty basic, but options included an AM radio, heater and defroster, luggage rack and power tailgate window for station wagons, power steering, automatic transmission, front seat belts, wheel covers, padded dash and two-tone paint.

Dodge offered 17 colors for the 1963 Dart, including Turquoise, Onyx, Light Blue, Medium Blue, Dark Blue/Navy Blue, Surf Green, Forest Green, Aqua, Slate Turquoise, Teal, Ivory, Steel Gray, Vermillion, Polar White, Beige Sandalwood, and Cordovan.