The Max Wedge featured free-flowing cast-iron headers, a dual exhaust system that featured cutouts that could be unbolted for unsilenced, wide open running. Priced at just $374.40, the 410 bhp 413 was affordable and powerful. The “Max” refered to the Maximum Performance label used in factory advertising while the “Wedge” refered to the 413’s Wedge shaped combustion chambers (as opposed to the earlier Hemispherical designs). The 413 Max Wedge was offered in two forms: one with 11:1 compression rated at 410 bhp and the other with 13.5:1 compression rated at 420 bhp. The 413 Max Wedge was manufactured under precise conditions at Chrysler’s Marine and Industrial Division and was a no-nonsense racing powerplant not intended for everyday operation. Most racers preferred the lighter and cheaper Darts.

383 (Ram) V8 3 rpm, 460 lb-ft 2800 rpm.Ĭomments: 1962 saw the peak of Dart performance when Dodge offered its 413 Max Wedge in all fullsize models, from the bare bones Dart 330 through the top of the line Polara 500. Production: The 361 engine was slightly detuned for 1961, but that was overshadowed by the introduction of a new 383 cid V8 option, in either Police or Ram trim.Įngines: 318 V8 (2bbl) 2 rpm, 340 lb-ft 2400 rpm. It now included a standard four barrel carb, or optional ram induction dual carbs (which were standard the year before). 1961 Dodge DartĬomments: The D500 performance option was offered for the last time in 1961, but it was toned down from the year before. This ram setup was also used on the larger 383 cid V8s used in Polara models, and a few Ram 383s found their way into the smaller Dart.Įngines: 318 V8 (2bbl) 2 rpm, 340 lb-ft 2400 rpm. All three models were available with Dodge’s D500 performance option which included the 361 cid V8 with a new ram-induction setup which featured twin four-barrels on long, individual-runner intake manifolds which had a supercharger effect. Engine choices included a 318 cid V8 with either a two or four barrel carb, or a 361 cid V8 with 310 bhp. The Dart was available as three models: Seneca, Pioneer, and Phoenix. Featuring utilized body construction, and riding on a 118 inch wheelbase, it was four inches shorter than Dodge’s Polara flagship and thus was Dodge’s “compact” fullsize model. It returned four years later as a new downsized regular production vehicle. 1960 Dodge DartĬomments: The Dodge Dart name first appeared as a radically aerodynamic showcar in 1956. The Dart lineup would continue to evolve, and included Demon and Swinger models as well as the Dodge Sport and the mighty Dart GTS. It was “reborn” in 1963 as a true compact. Introduced in 1960, the first generation Dodge Dart was actually just a small fullsize car.

Introduction: The Dart was Dodge’s entry in the growing compact market.

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