I would like to introduce "Betty"

[commando1]

Missed this one earlier. Thanks Stan! it means a lot to me to have you tell me that!

These are the cars I have dreamed about since I was a toddler.
A bare bones car.
I think it's because I went through puberty when the most bad *** macho machines were these types of cars. All you had to do to be NASCAR worthy was remove the air cleaner and strap on a Bell helmet.
Your treasure is a beautiful survivor.

 

[LeBaron1973]

Faxon Auto Literature have a 1961 Dodge Color and Upholstery Album for sale at $399 - expensive but where will you find another?
1961 Dodge Color & Upholstery and Data Book Original

There's also this:
1961 Dart Specs, Colors, Facts, History, and Performance | Classic Car Database

You could probably ask Richard Ehrenberg - one of their experts - the question.

Alternately, since SMS claim to have the largest selection of trim send them an email as they may know:
Contact SMS Auto Fabrics - SMS Auto Fabrics

 

[mr. fix it]

These are the cars I have dreamed about since I was a toddler.
A bare bones car.
I think it's because I went through puberty when the most bad *** macho machines were these types of cars. All you had to do to be NASCAR worthy was remove the air cleaner and strap on a Bell helmet.
Your treasure is a beautiful survivor.

Thanks for this explanation Stan

 

[Fratzog]

The car is a beauty. I definitely wouldn't change the colour. The only mod I'd consider is a dual master cylinder.

 

[1978 NYB]

I would inspect the brakes. Make sure nothing is leaking, broken, seized, etc.

 

[GregG48203]

dual master cylinder

In addition, I would also consider an alternator to replace the generator. It would simplify the electrical system, and they all got one by the next model year.

 

[mr. fix it]

In addition, I would also consider an alternator to replace the generator. It would simplify the electrical system, and they all got one by the next model year.

I'll check into it once I get going on it
I did remove the back section of carpet as they were saturated in water and rusting the floor out badly

 

[mr. fix it]

The car is a beauty. I definitely wouldn't change the colour. The only mod I'd consider is a dual master cylinder.

I do have a complete 73 disc drum brake system on hand from the Newport I parted out last year

 

[mr. fix it]

Could be "friggin lighter" it was a very smoker friendly era

Isn't that the transmission with the goofy syncronizers that cost Al Eckstrand the race in 1961 and lucky they got the opportunity to exhibition race and beat the Chevy of Dick Strickland which essentially lit a fire under management's *** to get the advertising from racing.
I would leave the column shift.

1960 only valve cover without the dent in the back. The 170 , a 1" destroked 225 cleared the heater box in the A bodies but the 225 did not so the "dent" was put in the valve cover and remained throughout the rest of the run, just so the 225 could be put in the early A bodies.

I think it's a 2 spd switch for the aftermarket heater...

 

[LocuMob]

I think it's a 2 spd switch for the aftermarket heater...

"F" for fan.

 

[Dobalovr]

Excellent find Tom...there are a couple of 60-61 Dart/Phoenixii? In my honey hole mopar salvage yard I frequent. If your looking for something PM me. Going down next month.

 

[cantflip]

I do have a complete 73 disc drum brake system on hand from the Newport I parted out last year

I would do the dual chamber master cylinder conversion. If you want to endure what ever teething pains the disc conversion brings, I could see that (I'm not so sure I would do it just because you would have to go power brakes with the conversion). Betty is a beauty and a survivor, floor pan repairs will be invisible once finished... I wouldn't change a thing after that without really considering if this old babe is going to be a sweet and functional survivor or a hot rod.

These are the cars I have dreamed about since I was a toddler.
A bare bones car.
I think it's because I went through puberty when the most bad *** macho machines were these types of cars. All you had to do to be NASCAR worthy was remove the air cleaner and strap on a Bell helmet.
Your treasure is a beautiful survivor.

Nice, and thanks for clarifying. I would pooh-pooh the floor shifter, even if period correct upgrade... But I'm weird about things like that.

Now this grabbed my attention. Interesting hood brace, it makes me wonder did they use a different one one the 8 cylinders or why did they choose this over a symmetrical brace? Maybe A/C compressor clearance?

 

[78Brougham]

Great score Tom! Glad you made out ok on Saturday. Betty is looking great, nice to see that it cleaned up so well. That F button may have been for a fan. There is some duct work hanging from under the dash, and I noticed two buttons where the heater controls are one says off and I believe the other on the right should be defrost. Even though there is no heater core, the probably still allowed you to push air to the windshield to defog it. That round plate on the fire wall looks a little suspect to me. There may have been a fan there and someone removed it. Just a thought.

 

[Bill Watson]

So I did some digging around and it turns out that not all the information for FL's are recorded

I have determined this car is scheduled for production

SO Number 04155214 = 04/15 5214 is the production number of this body style
Body = 411 - Built as a Seneca 2dr sedan with a 6cylinder

Trim level = 121 - no data at this time - can anyone help on this?

Paint = FF1 - A-1257 Spray Green top & bottom
The 1st letter is body colour
The 2nd letter is roof colour

Total production for all Darts this year = 306,603 an exact split of the number which is kind of interesting to any numbers guys out there.
Senecas totaled just over 1/3 of the production

Of the 306,603 1960 Dodge Darts built in the U.S. 27,451 were Dodge Dart 6 Seneca 2dr Sedans.

"12" is Seneca cloth & vinyl with the second "1" being the colour Green

The VIN should start with 4 (Dodge Dart 6), 1 (Seneca), 0 (1960) and ?? for the assembly plant.

 

[mr. fix it]

Of the 306,603 1960 Dodge Darts built in the U.S. 27,451 were Dodge Dart 6 Seneca 2dr Sedans.

"12" is Seneca cloth & vinyl with the second "1" being the colour Green

The VIN should start with 4 (Dodge Dart 6), 1 (Seneca), 0 (1960) and ?? for the assembly plant.

Thanks doe the info!

4107 is the beginning of the VIN#

the car was built in St. Louis

 

[mr. fix it]

Great score Tom! Glad you made out ok on Saturday. Betty is looking great, nice to see that it cleaned up so well. That F button may have been for a fan. There is some duct work hanging from under the dash, and I noticed two buttons where the heater controls are one says off and I believe the other on the right should be defrost. Even though there is no heater core, the probably still allowed you to push air to the windshield to defog it. That round plate on the fire wall looks a little suspect to me. There may have been a fan there and someone removed it. Just a thought.

The duct work is from the aftermarket heater box on the passenger side. - I was crawling under there yesterday in the mouse turds and seed shells...

The button on the right where it might usually have the defrost button is labelled "AIR" which actuates the control for the fresh air vent just in front of the wipers on the outside of the car.

Since this is my first FL almost anything goes for what this car has until I find out it shouldn't be there..
Heck I thought the frogs in the back windows were factory option until my local Mopar buddy told me they weren't!

 

[1978 NYB]

Excellent find Tom...there are a couple of 60-61 Dart/Phoenixii? In my honey hole mopar salvage yard I frequent. If your looking for something PM me. Going down next month.

Graham, post some pictures of the salvage yard if you get a chance during your next visit. Thanks.

 

[mr. fix it]

Great score Tom! Glad you made out ok on Saturday. Betty is looking great, nice to see that it cleaned up so well. That F button may have been for a fan. There is some duct work hanging from under the dash, and I noticed two buttons where the heater controls are one says off and I believe the other on the right should be defrost. Even though there is no heater core, the probably still allowed you to push air to the windshield to defog it. That round plate on the fire wall looks a little suspect to me. There may have been a fan there and someone removed it. Just a thought.

I may be looking for a rear seat et bottom frame this one is rusted pretty badly

 

[mr. fix it]

I would do the dual chamber master cylinder conversion. If you want to endure what ever teething pains the disc conversion brings, I could see that (I'm not so sure I would do it just because you would have to go power brakes with the conversion). Betty is a beauty and a survivor, floor pan repairs will be invisible once finished... I wouldn't change a thing after that without really considering if this old babe is going to be a sweet and functional survivor or a hot rod.

Nice, and thanks for clarifying. I would pooh-pooh the floor shifter, even if period correct upgrade... But I'm weird about things like that.

Now this grabbed my attention. Interesting hood brace, it makes me wonder did they use a different one one the 8 cylinders or why did they choose this over a symmetrical brace? Maybe A/C compressor clearance?View attachment 126312

I noticed this too...
I just saw a V8 version with the same brace online

 

[1978 NYB]

Tom, how many miles are on Betty?