Dodge

The 1961 Dodge Lancer Hardtop entered the compact car market with a distinctive flair, aiming to give Dodge dealers a competitive edge against Ford and Chevrolet. This often-overlooked model, which shared its platform with the Plymouth Valiant, brought a uniquely styled coupe body and robust engineering to the compact segment. Its short but impactful production run makes it a genuine automotive icon worth revisiting.

The 1961 Dodge Dart Seneca is an often-overlooked full-size model that stands as a fascinating piece of automotive history. This car marked a pivotal moment for Dodge, arriving during a turbulent sales period and carrying the controversial, yet iconic, “Forward Look” styling. The Seneca was the entry-level trim for the Dart line, playing a crucial role in the brand’s sales strategy. We explore the model’s design, engineering, and enduring heritage.

The 1962 Dodge Custom 880 4-door history is a truly remarkable chapter in American automotive lore, born from a notorious mix-up and a rapid corporate scramble. This full-size sedan was Chrysler’s critical, last-minute solution to a glaring gap in the Dodge lineup. It emerged as a testament to engineering resourcefulness.

The 1962 Dodge Dart 4-door, a surprisingly significant chapter in Mopar history, arrived with a striking and controversial aesthetic. The move to a downsized “intermediate” platform made this iteration a truly unique, one-year-only model. This bold design decision and its strong performance pedigree secured the 1962 Dodge Dart 4-door’s place as a memorable automotive icon.

The 1961 Dodge Lancer Station Wagon is a true compact pioneer, marking the division’s timely entry into the smaller car market. Built on the revolutionary A-Body platform, it was essentially an upscale version of the Plymouth Valiant, boasting unique exterior trim and a full-width grille. This Mopar workhorse came standard with the indestructible Slant-Six engine and offered practical family transport with a dose of distinctive early 60s styling.

The 1957 Dodge Royal Sedan represents a pivotal moment in American automotive history, thanks to its dramatic “Forward Look” styling. This mid-level Dodge was longer, lower, and wider than previous models, boasting aggressive fins and Virgil Exner’s unique vision. The revolutionary design, combined with new engineering, made the 1957 Dodge Royal Sedan an instant classic and a car that instantly rendered its competition obsolete.

The 1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix is a true time capsule of daring mid-century American automotive design. It represents a bold, one-year-only styling experiment that split public opinion, yet left an undeniable mark on Mopar history. We explore the model’s unique heritage, its powerful V8 options, and the curious features that define this magnificent, finned classic.