I've been pondering what slant powered car I'd like to own next, its a long time from now but I like to dream. I'm thinking Dart or Valiant from '64... or possibly '63.

Anyway, I was reading over on allpar about the Valiant wheelbase being shorter than that of the Dart. Is the difference simply in axle placement, or is the whole car shorter? Which axle(s) moved between the two cars, and which configuration gives a more favorable weight ratio? Any info on general size/weight differences would be great also.

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'66 Dodge Dart

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Joshua

The rear axle moved forward, as did all sheetmetal aft of the axle's transversal centreline, though that's not quite an accurate statement because the Darts and Valiants had very different tail styling so it's not really correct to say the sheetmetal "moved". The trunk is smaller on a 106"-wheelbase A-body than on a 111"-wheelbase A-body up through '66. Then it gets a little mixed up: the 108" and 111" cars had about the same trunk volume from '67-'69, then the 111" cars had smaller trunks than the 108" cars from '70 to '73, then from '74 up there were only 111" cars.

It's not worth worrying about weight distribution or anything of the like.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

If you want to race (drag, roadrace, autoX), then get the shorter wheelbase Valiant. 5" less WB is significant. As Dan says, the weight balance (percentages) will not be much different. However, a slightly smaller car will make for better handling and an overall lighter package.

I built a 64 Dart in the late 90s that handles very well, but it is noticeably larger and heavier on a road course than my '66 Valiant racecar. Both are still under development...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I wonder how the '66 Barracuda compares...???

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Michael Glass. Mopar stuff and some rusty Mopar stuff!
1965 Dodge Dart with 66 Valiant front clip. Other stuff...

'64-66 cuda is 106" WB, just like Valiants, I am pretty sure.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Yup, '64-'66 Barracuda is a 106"-wheelbase '64-'66 Valiant with different bodywork.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Having road raced a '66 Dart I will be able to give you a good idea once my '66 Barracuda hits the track. Both cars will have roll cages and subframe connectors so don't expect the same results from a street car.

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Joshua

Some interesting info here. Just to be clear the overall length of a Valiant is 5" shorter than a Dart, its not just that the rear axle was moved?

Anybody have info on front/rear track difference between various early '60s A-bodies, or are they all the same?

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'66 Dodge Dart

overall body length differs by year and specification; it's not just a flat five inches.
All the same.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Now that is something interesting. Is there a comparison chart for this? Or, if not, then maybe we can start some kind of chart.

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'66 Dodge Dart

Look up specifications for each year you are interested in for body length, wheel base, trunk volume, etc. Most likely Allpar has this info somewere.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC