The 1966 D-Dart

So you’ve never heard of the D-Dart? You’re not alone. One of Dodge’s more obscure factory drag packages, only 50 of these specially assembled, 273 small block-powered giant-slayers were constructed…just enough to legalize them for competition in the NHRA’s D/Stock category where legal entries had to weigh 10.60 to 11.29 pounds per advertised horsepower. With an advertised shipping weight of 2,946 pounds, the 275-horsepower D-Dart came in at 10.71 pounds-per-horsepower, on the advantageous border of the 10.60 – 11.29 D-Stock range. All were 4-speed equipped, none were automatics.

The D-Dart was an effort to spur interest in the compact, entry-level Dodge Dart and its popular A861 273 Four Barrel small block option. Sure, HEMI^® engine-powered monsters stole the headlines, but they represented a mere fraction of actual customer purchases. The amazing thing is that Dodge assigned the D-Dart VIN with the same “LO23” prefix that would later be shared with the 1968 HEMI Dart! This makes identification a snap for today’s collector. This wonderful example surfaced at the 2014 Barrett-Jackson collector car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The following new product release from the Dodge News Bureau gives a perfect look at the “package” and how Dodge restricted messing with the ingredients.

“A new 275-horsepower Dodge Dart GT that meets D/Stock specifications of the NHRA, AHRA, and NASCAR has been introduced for 1966. The D-Dart has a shipping weight of 2,946 pounds.

The D-Dart features a modified 273-cubic-inch engine with a special four barrel Holley carburetor. Other features include: A special Camcraft camshaft (284 degrees with .495 intake and .505 exhaust, Racer Brown valve springs, a modified, full-breathing intake manifold, a low-restriction air cleaner, and a Weber clutch. Other standard items include a heavy duty 4.86:1 Sure-Grip 8 ¾ inch rear axle, free-flow exhaust headers by Doug of California, a four-speed manual transmission, heavy duty suspension and 6.94 x 14 B.S.W. tires.

The D-Darts are regular production line automobiles. Additionally certain, service repair parts will be available through the Chrysler Parts Division, so that owners of earlier Darts may convert from the 235-horsepower to the new 275-horsepower version of the 273 V8 engine.

The D-Dart has been certified by the sanctioning agencies in the D/Stock class. It is expected that this car, properly prepared, will be a top contender.

A high idle speed minimizes roughness, a high numerical axle ratio is used for top acceleration, the distributor is modified for quick advance, and the ignition system is optimum engine output. Due to the expected use of these vehicles, no warranty coverage applies.”

Despite several feature stories and racer profiles in nationally circulated enthusiast magazines like Hot Rod, Car Craft, Hi-Performance CARS and others, these little screamers never got their due back in the day. In fact, their existence wasn’t generally recognized until the mid-’80s when somebody noticed they shared the sacred Super Stock (“O”) VIN designator with certain HEMI cars. Not to be confused with Dart GTs (or Plymouth Barracudas) equipped with the A861 235-horsepower 273 Four Barrel (which had a smaller Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor, mild .405 lift cam and ho-hum iron exhaust manifolds), the D-Dart represents Dodge’s solitary effort at shining a light on the 273 small block for drag racing.

White D-Dart with hood open — The D-Dart broke from Package Car tradition by not using a stripped down, base-level sedan as its core. The D-Dart competed with Ford 289/271 K-code Hi-Po Fairlanes, Chevy 327-275 L30 Novas, Rambler 343/280 Rebels and other new models in the 10.60 – 11.29 lb.-per-hp. range. Cragar cast a special run of its popular S/S mag-style wheel (with a 5-on-4 inch bolt circle) just for the D-Dart. Originals wear “Dart Charger” center cap logos.

VIN tag showing L023 on a D-Dart — Savor this image, you may never see another. The door post VIN tag begins with LO23, confirming this car as a legitimate one-of-50-built D-Dart Package Car. In Dodge VIN “language” of the day, the “O” in the second place signifies a Super Stock drag car. This same VIN prefix was used again aboard the 1968 SS/B HEMI Dart Package Car program (we’ll learn about that in an upcoming Dodge Garage feature). The undisturbed factory rosette head rivets confirm D-Dart pedigree.

under the hood of D-Dart — By 1966, the NHRA Stock and Super Stock class rules were more liberal and allowed tube steel headers, aftermarket flat tappet camshafts, carburetor swapping and numerous deviations from showroom stock condition. This saved Dodge from having to design special streamlined iron exhaust manifolds for the D-Dart fleet. Except for the added-on heater motor poking out of the firewall, this 275-horsepower 273 is correct in appearance, including the single Max Wedge air cleaner.

Underside of D-Dart — In Max Wedge and Race HEMI tradition, the D-Dart wasn’t sprayed with undercoating or seam sealer to save weight. And while lightweight 9-inch drum brakes and lighter suspension parts were available from the Slant Six Dart parts bin, Dodge opted for 10-inch drums and the same heavy-duty suspension system included in the standard V8 Dart GT. One special item was the D-Dart’s “big car” 8-3/4 rear axle. The standard Dart 7-1/4 axle assembly would have shattered behind the 275 horsepower, 4-speed 273.

1967 D-Dart — D-Darts got modest magazine coverage like this feature seen in the August 1967 issue of Hi-Performance CARS. Car Craft magazine also ran a D-Dart drag test feature story and recorded 14-second runs in a stock example. After thorough preparation by Kirkwood, Missouri’s Coronet Dodge, the D-Dart featured here cranked very respectable 12.4s at 111 mph.

A year before the D-Dart, Plymouth’s Golden Commandos factory drag team built a 1965 Barracuda for F/Stock action. Though the “Goldfish” gained widespread recognition thanks to a February 1966 Hot Rod magazine cover story and many victories, the 1966 D-Dart stands as the only factory-issued Package Car based around the 273 small block. The original “Goldfish” has been restored to as-raced condition.

Visit past Packaged Performance Installments:

Future Packaged Performance Installments:

Junior Dynamite for D/Stock Dragging!

The 1966 D-Dart

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