Second generation (1961-1962)
For 1962 the Seneca, Pioneer, and Phoenix trim levels were dropped; trim levels became Dart, Dart 330, and Dart 440. The Polara 500, offered in 2-door hardtop, 4-door hardtop, and convertible styles, was dimensionally identical but not officially a Dart by dint of its "Polara 500" badging. The Polara 500 was not built or sold in Canada, and the Dart models were the same as in the U.S. except that the base model was badged Dart 220.
The Dart and Polara were downsized as part of Chrysler's hasty effort to compete with what company leaders thought would be downsized large cars from Chevrolet—in fact they had overheard talk not of the big Chevrolets but of the compact Chevy II Nova, a basic front-engine compact to compete more directly than the Corvair with the Ford Falcon, Rambler American, and Plymouth Valiant. Chevrolet's Impala and Ford's Galaxie both remained sized in accord with the prevailing norms of full-size cars.
Source: Wikipedia
Dodge Dart threads:
Chrysler Dart Concept 1956
Dodge Dart (1st gen) 1959-1961
Dodge Dart (2nd gen) 1961-1962
Dodge Dart (3rd gen) 1962-1966
Dodge Dart (4th gen) 1966-1976
Dodge Dart (PF) 2012-2017
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