1965 DART GT 273 4BBL

This is from Hemmings Motor News.;
Dart was no exception, and in 1964, Dodge introduced its new compact 273-cu.in. "LA"-series V-8 to the Dart line. This modern lightweight V-8 featured a two-barrel carburetor and modest 8.8:1 compression (the only way it was so offered in 1964), and put out 180hp, along with 260-lbs.ft. of torque at just 1,600 rpm. It was, of course, an option on the GT.

Along with the usual upgraded trim, GT models also had a contrasting-color spear along the beltline of the car. Total Dart sales approached 194,000, with roughly a quarter of those built as GT models. Of those, just 12,000 were V-8s; no further breakout between coupes and convertibles is available.

A year later, in 1965, multiple factors contributed to the appearance of machines like our feature car. First, despite Mother Mopar's own Max Wedge monsters owning titles and records at multiple drag strips nationwide, it was Pontiac's GTO that garnered much of the press hype (and sales) in '64. Suddenly, everyone needed a hot one on their option sheets. Second, Plymouth, despite beating Mustang to market by a couple of weeks with its fastback Barracuda, was having its clock cleaned in the sales race: It took Plymouth all year to sell what Mustang moved in just a couple of slow weeks. A performance model should surely help bolster the image and move a few units, so a four-barrel variant of the LA small-block was born.

Known as the Charger 273 in Dodges and the Commando 273 in Plymouths, it was (likely under-) rated at 235hp thanks to the following major changes: 10.5:1 compression, a 600cfm Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor, and a .425/.425-inch-lift cam with 248 degrees duration. It cost $99.40 on the option sheet. "Worth every cent of its extra cost," Car and Driver opined.