1961 Dodge Pioneer In its second year, Dart continued with the success of the 3 economy friendly series line-up – the Phoenix, Pioneer and Seneca. The Seneca was the base level available for the 1961 Dart, the Pioneer was the intermediate and the Phoenix was the top trim level.Each offered Torsion-Aire Ride and Total Contact Brakes and unitized body and chassis construction.Offering solid chrome-steel torsion bars in front and unsymmetrical leaf springs in the rear to absorb shock. In 1961, Dodge offers 3 different automatic transmissions, each specifically designed for a particular engine. For instance, the D-500 Ram-Induction V8 came with a TorqueFlite Automatic as standard. Also available were the 2-speed PowerFlite automatic and 3-speed TorqueFlite with torque converter; all operated by instrument panel push buttons. The standard engine was the all new Economy Slant 6 engine and came with a standard 3-speed manual. 1961 Dodge Dart Factory Specifications & Production Model Number | Body/Style Number | Body Type & Seating | Factory Price
| Shipping Weight
| Total Production | Seneca Series | 413/513 | L41 | 4 dr Sedan - 6P | $2,330/$2,449 | 3,335/3,515 lbs | Note 1 | 411/511 | L21 | 2 dr Sedan - 6P | $2,278/$2,397 | 3,290/3,470 lbs | Note 1 | 456/556 | L45 | 4 dr Station Wagon - 6P | $2,695/$2,815 | 3,740/3,920 lbs | Note 1 | Pioneer Series | 423/523 | M41 | 4 dr Sedan - 6P | $2,459/$2,478 | 3,335/3,510 lbs | Note 2 | 421/521 | M21 | 2 dr Sedan - 6P | $2,410/$2,530 | 3,290/3,460 lbs | Note 2 | 422/522 | M23 | 2 dr Hardtop Coupe - 6P | $2,488/$2,607 | 3,335/3,500 lbs | Note 2 | 466/566 | M45A | 4 dr Station Wagon - 6P | $2,787/$2,906 | 3,740/3,940 lbs | Note 2 | 467/567 | M45B | 4 dr Station Wagon - 9P | $2,892/$3,011 | 3,825/4,005 lbs | Note 2 | Phoenix Series | 433/533 | H41 | 4 dr Sedan - 6P | $2,595/$2,715 | 3,350/3,535 lbs | Note 3 | 434/534 | H43 | 4 dr Hardtop Sedan - 6P | $2,677/$2,796 | 3,385/3,555 lbs | Note 3 | 432/532 | H23 | 2 dr Hardtop Coupe - 6P | $2,618/$2,737 | 3,325/3,520 lbs | Note 3 | 435/535 | H27 | 2 dr Convertible - 6P | $2,988 | 3,580 lbs | Note 3 |
Note: 1. A total of 66,100 were Senecas. Individaul breakdowns are not available. 2. A total of 38,600 were Pioneers. Individaul breakdowns are not available. 3. A total of 37,300 were Phoenixs. Individaul breakdowns are not available. Side Note: In 1961, Dodge built 20,625 two-door sedans; 97,201 four-door sedans; 22,156 two-door hardtops; 9,665 four-door hardtops; 4,361 convertibles; 20,697 six-passenger station wagons; 7,005 nine-passenger station wagons. No individual breakdowns are available for body styles.
Chassis Specifications Model | Wheelbase | Overall Length | Width | Front Track | Rear Track | Tires | Dart | 118 in | 209.4 in | 78.7 in | - | - | 7.00 x 14 | Dart Station Wagon | 122 in | 214.8 in | 78.7 in | - | - | 8.00 x 14 |
1961 Dodge VIN Decoding | Serial Numbers were stamped on a metal plate on the left front door body hinge post. | |
First Symbol - Model/Engine | 4 = Dart - six cylinder | 7 = Lancer - six cylinder | 5 = Dodge - V8 |
Second Symbol - Series | 1 = Seneca/Lancer 170 | 6 = Pioneer station wagon | 2 = Pioneer | 7 = Polara station wagon | 3 = Phoenix/Lancer 770 | 8 = Taxicab | 4 = Polara | 9 = Police Special | 5 = Seneca/ Lancer 170 Station Wagon | 0 = Fleet car |
Third Symbol - Year | 1 = 1961 |
Fourth Symbol - Assembly Plant | 2 = Dodge Main | 6 = Newark, DE | 3 = Detroit (Jefferson) | 7 = St. Louis, MO | 5 = Los Angeles, CA |
Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence | Started at 100001 |
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