Plymouth Valiant, Plymouth Duster, and Dodge Demon specifications

1960 Valiant specifications

The 1960 Valiant launched in September 1959 to numerous speeches and accolades. 1960 Valiant details.

Base engine (170 slant six): 101 horsepower, gross
25 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk
Four door sedan and wagon (two and three seats) available in V-100 and V-200 trim
Colors: silver gray, blue, green, white, black; V-200 also sold in red

1960 Valiant cars

Standard equipment included a driver’s side sun visor, glove box, single speed electric wipers, and dual headlights. V-200 added deluxe interior trim, two-tone chrome-separated dash, arm rests in front and rear, dual sun visors, dual horns, cigarette lighter, rear ashtray, and locking glove box. Options included power brakes, power steering, radio, heater, variable speed wipers, tinted windows, driver’s side rear view mirror (yes, it was an option), padded instrument panel and sun visors, backup lights, and day/night mirror.

	1960 Valiant Specs		1960 Valiant Engine Details
Wheelbase	106.5 inches	Engine	170 slant six
Length	184 (3-seat: 185.1)	Compression	8.6:1
Width	70.4	Carburetor	Single barrel downdraft, auto choke
Height	53.3	Ignition	Single breaker, vacuum and centrifugal advance
Sedan glass area	3,338 square inches	Battery	12 volt, 6 cell, 50 amp-hour
Headroom (f/r)	37.9 / 37.4	Gasoline	13 gallon tank, regular grade
Legroom (f/r)	44.4 / 38.9	Coolant	14 quarts with heater
Hip room	57.0 / 56.9
Seat height	11.4 / 14.0	Front suspension	Torsion bars
Tires	6.50 x 13 inches	Rear suspension	Isolated asymmetrical leaf springs
Front brakes	9 x 2.5	Body	Fully unitized
Rear brakes	9 x 2	Trunk	24.9 cubic feet (four door sedan)

Chrysler noted: “About 18 months ago, a compact silicon 6-diode rectifier was perfected for guided missiles. This invention made it possible to construct a small, effective alternator for automobiles.” Hence, Valiant was one of the first cars anywhere to get an alternator rather than a generator.

Gears for the three-speed standard transmission were listed as “2.71 low, 1.83 second, 3.49 reverse” with a floor-mounted shifter, 9.25 inch clutch face, and suspended clutch pedal. The optional transmission was a newly lightened three-speed TorqueFlite automatic. The parking brake in this first year was foot operated and mechanical for safety (in later years a handbrake would be used, then the foot pedal again.)

1962 Plymouth Valiant

Engines: 101-hp 170, 145-hp 225 slant six (215 lb-ft).
225 with 3-speed manual, according to Tom McCahill, did 0-60 in 13.0, and had >100 mph top speed and 40-60 of 7.0 seconds.
First year for Signet
Engine: 8.2:1 compression, regular gas
Standard axle: 3.55:1
Price: $1,951 without options for V-200 four-door
Wheelbase 106.5”, length 184”, height 53.4”, width 70.4”, tread 55.9/55.6, 14 gallons gas

1967 Plymouth Valiant specifications

5 year, 50,000 mile warranty. Engine specifications were identical for U.S. Plymouth Valiant and Australian Valiant VC.

Engine size	170 slant six	225 slant six	273 V8 (2-barrel)	273 V8 (4-barrel)
Manual Transmissions	3 speeds		3 or 4 speeds	4 speeds
Horsepower (gross)	114 @ 4,400	145 @ 4,000	180 @ 4,200	235 @ 5,200
Torque	155 @ 2,400	215 @ 2,400	260 @ 1,600	260 @ 4,000
Bore and Stroke	3.4 x 3.125	3.4 x 4.125	3.63 x 3.31	3.63 x 3.31
Compression Ratio :1	8.5	8.4	8.8	10.5
Standard Tire/Wheel	6.5 x 13 (wheel 4.5)		7 x 13 (wheel 4.5)

The engine was almost the same size as the optional V6 on the 2007 Sebring; and while the two cars had around the same wheelbase and length (within 2.2 inches), the Valiant weighed 700 pounds less.

	USA (1967)	Australia (VC)
Largest tire/wheel	7 x 13 (wheel 4.5)	7 x 14
Wheelbase	108	106
Length	188.4	188
Width	71.1	69
Height	54	55
Track (front/rear)	57.4/55.6	55.9 / 55.6
Headroom (f/r)	38.4/37.3
Legroom (f/r)	40.8/35.4
Shoulder room	55.7
Seat height	8.9 / 11.1
Knee room, rear seat	4.2

Common specifications, USA and Australian Valiants:

Suspension	Torsion bars and balljoints in front; 2.5" outboard-mounted asymmetrical leaf springs, rear; Oriflow shocks
Rear axle	Hotchkiss drive, hypoid rear axle; ratios 2.76, 2.93, 3.23, 3.55, 3.91 available
Fluids	18 gallons of fuel, four quarts of oil
Electrical	12 volt, 48 amp-hour battery base (38 amp-hour on 170), alternator standard
Drum brakes	9" diameter with 153.5 square inches of total lining (slant sixes) 10" diameter with 156.2 square inches of total lining (V8s)
Disc brakes	Front only; 102.3 square inches lining area. Rear is 10” diameter drum.

1968 Valiant specifications

See an absolutely absurd number of 1968 Plymouth Valiant specifications including engine details.

Compared with the entire Plymouth car line and a much newer car:

1968 Specifications	Fury	Midsize	Barracuda	Valiant	1995 Neon
Wheelbase	119	116	108	108	104
Track, front	62	59.5	57.4	57.4
Track, rear	60.7	58.5	55.6	55.6
Length, overall	213.1	202.7	192.8	188.4	172
Width, overall	77.7	76.4	71.6	71	67.5
Height, overall**	56.3	54.7	52.6	53.7	54.7
Head room, front	39.5	38.6	37.4	38.4	39.6
Head room, rear	37.7	37.4	35.8	37.3	36.5
Leg room, front	41.8	41.9	41.7	41.7	42.5
Leg room, rear	37	36.3	30.2	34.5	36.5
Shoulder room, front	60	58.1	55.4	55.4	54
Shoulder room, rear	60	58.1	55.4	55.4	54

Engines:

	170 Slant Six	225 Slant Six	273 V8	318 V8	340 V8 (Barracuda)	383 V8 (Barracuda)
Gross Horsepower	115 hp at 4400 rpm	145 hp at 4000 rpm	190 hp at 4400 rpm	230 hp at 4400 rpm	275 hp at 5000 rpm	290 hp at 4400 rpm
Torque, lbs.-ft.	155 at 2400 rpm	215 at 2400 rpm	260 at 2000 rpm	340 at 2400 rpm	340 at 3200 rpm	390 at 2800 rpm
Carburetor type	1-bbl.	1-bbl.	2-bbl.	2-bbl.	4-bbl.	2-bbl.
Fuel	Regular	Regular	Regular	Regular	Premium	Regular

1968 Australian Valiant VF Hardtop Coupe

	225 “Big Slant Six	318 V8
Gross Horsepower	160 @ 4500 rpm	230 @ 4400 rpm
Torque, lbs.-ft.	220 @ 2,500	340 @ 2400 rpm
Compression ratio	8.4:1	9.2 to 1
Bore, inches	3.4	3.91
Stroke, inches	4.125	3.31
Displacement, cu. In.	225	318
Carburetor type	2-bbl.	2-bbl.
Fuel	Regular	Regular
Gearing (manual)	2.95, 1.69, 1.00:1; Reverse, 3.67:1	not available
Rear axle	3.23:1	2.92:1
Wheels	5” x 14”	5” x 14” (Regal 770, 5.5”)
Brakes: total swept area	254.5 sq in (drums)	334.1 sq in (discs)
Weight (unladen, with fuel)	2,960 lb and up	3,070 lb and up

Three-speed, fully synchronized manual transmission standard except with V8 and Regal, which had a standard TorqueFlite automatic. Power-assisted front disc brakes were standard on V8, optional on slant six. Power steering came with the automatic. Overall length was 200 inches, width 70 inches.

1968 Dodge Dart Hemi

This was a rare car, meant for drag strip use only. The list price was $5,146 with the factory racing package, which had no possible options — far from the Dart GTS V8 price of $3,189. The car weighed around 3,000 pounds; the 426 Hemi was good for 425 hp but was generally seen as under-rated.

The car used two four-barrel Holley carburetors with a cross-ram intake, gulping down high octane fuel. The manual transmission had a 2.66:1 first gear ratio and 1:1 fourth gear, running a 10.5 inch clutch. The Dana axle assembly had a SureGrip (limited slip) differential. The front suspension was torsion bars, as usual, with rear leaf springs. Front brakes were discs, rears were drums.

1970 Duster 340

From an excellent article in Car Life, March 1970:

0-60 in 6.2 seconds (automatic tested!)
0-100 in 17.5 seconds
30-70 mph in 5.3
Quarter mile in 14.72 @ 94.24 mph
14.8 mpg overall
List price, $2547; weight, 3105 lb (3520 as tested)
Gear ratios: 2.45, 1.45, 1.00 (7.91:1, 4.69:1, 3.23:1)
Plenty of room for four passengers and lots of luggage.

1971 Dodge Demon 340

Road Test magazine tested the 340 Demon (similar to the 340 Duster) in April 1971. They found the following:

0-60 in 7.8 seconds (with old-style tires and a 3-speed automatic!)
1/4 mile in 14.56 seconds @ 96 mph
Est top speed is 127 mpg
Fuel economy was 14.3/16.7.
Cornering, finish, luggage, performance, steering were rated excellent.
Details, instruments, quietness, ride, visibility, overall were rated very good.
Base price was $3400 including tach, stereo cassette, and automatic.
The 340 engine had a bore and stroke of 4.04 x 3.31, 10.5:1 compression, 275 gross hp @ 5,000 rpm; 340 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
Wheelbase 108, length 192.5, width 71.6, ground clearance 5.3, weight 3,353, 15.9 feet of usable trunk space.

1972 and 1975-76 Valiant and Dart

More detailed Dart and Swinger specifications (which are also good for Valiant) are in our 1972 and 1975 detailed writeups; Valiant, Duster, etc. were similar (identical for 1975). Our 1975 writeup also includes competitive comparisons to Maverick, Mustang II, Pinto, Monarch, Granada, Comet, and Nova.

	1972 Dart Coupe	1975 Dart Sport	1972 Dart Hardtop	1972 Dart Sedan	1975-76 Dart Sedan	1971-1976 Valiant Coupe	1971-1976 Scamp / Swinger	1975-76 Valiant Sedan	1975-76 Duster
Doors	2	2	2	4	4	2	2 or 4	4	2
Wheelbase	108"	108	111"	111"	111	108	111	111	108
Length	192.5"	200.3	196.2"	196.2"	203.2	195.8 - 197	199.6 - 203	199.6	197
Width	71.7"	71.8	69.6"	69.6"	69.6		71	71	71.7
Height	53.0"		52.6"	54.0"	53.9	52.9	54	54	53.4
Track-Front	57.5"	59.1	57.4"	57.4"	59.1	59.1	59.1-59.2	59.2	59.2
-Rear	55.6"	55.6	55.6"	55.6"	55.6	55.6	55.6	55.6	55.6
Headroom-Front	37.5"	37.2	37.6"	38.7"	38.3	37.2	37.3	38.3	37.2
-Rear	36.5"	36.4	36.7"	37.3"	37.2	36.5	36.6	37.2 - 37.3	36.4
Legroom-Front	41.5"	41.6	41.5"	41.5"	41.6	41.6	41.9	41.9	41.9
-Rear	29.9"	29.8	31.9"	35.9"'	35.6	29.6	34.6		29.4
Shoulder Room - Front	55.4"	57.0	55.4"	55.4"	55.4
-Rear	55.1 "	56.6	55.2"	55.5"	55.4
Trunk capacity - cubic ft		19.8				15.9	17.7	16.6	20.1
Gas mileage, six/manual		17/23				~19	~19	~19
Gas mileage, V8/manual		13/20				~16	~16	~16

The 1975 Dart four-door sedan weighed 3,140 lb with the slant six, 3,285 lb with the V8. Dart SE was 3,360 (six) or 3,450 (V8) pounds.

Hardtops were 3,115 - 3,265 lb for Swinger, 3,340-3,425 for SE (six and V8).

Coupes (Dart Sport) were 3,060 lb for slant six, 3,205 lb for 318, and 3,415 lb for 360 V8.

AXLE RATIOS, 1972	Six cylinder	318	340
Manual	3.23:1	3.23:1*	3.23:1*
Automatic (Standard)	2.76:1	2.76:1**	3.23:1
Automatic (Optional)	3.23 or 3.55	3.23 or 3.55

* 3.55:1 with Sure-Grip and three-speed manual, or with Sure-Grip and four-speed manual and 340.
** 3.23:1 with SureGrip

1973

For 1973, all Valiant engines ran regular gas. The standard six was the 198; the 225 was optional (but popular). The standard V8 was the 318 two-barrel. The 340 was only available on the Duster 340.

Engines	198	225	318	340
Bore x stroke	3.40 x 3.64	3.41 x 4.13	3.91 x 3.31	4.04 x 3.31
Carb	1-barrel	1-barrel	2-barrel	4-barrel
Compression ratio	8.4:1	8.4:1	8.6:1	8.5:1
Horsepower @ rpm	95 @ 4,400	105 @ 4,000	150 @ 4,000	240 @ 4,800
Torque @ rpm	150 @ 1600	185 @ 1600	265 @ 2000	295 @ 3600
Antifreeze	13 quarts	13 quarts	16 quarts	15.5 quarts

Wheels: 14 x 4.5 standard, 14 x 5.5 on Dart 340. Many options. Battery 280 amp standard (base model), 34 amp alternator on slant six, 41 amp on V8; air conditioning, towing, and other options or packages would increase both battery and alternator (and sometimes tire/wheel size). Axle ratios varied depending on engine (slant six vs 318), and transmission. Only three-speed manuals were available except on Dart 340 which could get a four-speed manual, according to contemporary literature, which might have been wrong.

Dodge Darts	Body	Standard	Optional	Axle Ratio	Opt A.R.	Trunk (cu.ft.)
Dart	A	198/318	225, 318	Varies	3.21	14.3
Dart Sport	A	198/318	225, 318	Varies	3.21	15.9
Dart 340 Sport	A	340		2.69	3.55	15.9

	1973 Plymouth Valiant
Headroom, front	38.7
... rear	37.3
Legroom, front	41.5
... rear	34.7
Trunk space	14 cubic feet
Crankcase	four quarts of oil
Seat height	8.6 front, 11.1 rear
Fuel tank	16 gallons
Length	195.8” (108” wheelbase)
Width	71”

Track: 59.1, front; 55.6, rear. Height, 54”.
Turning Circle, curb-to-curb: 38.3 ft.
Seat height, front: 8.6”; rear: 11.1”
Trunk Capacity: 14.0 cu. ft.
Fuel tank refill capacity: 16 gals.
Tire size: 6.95 x 14 (6 & V-8), E70 x 14 (340 V-8)
Tire pressure, 6.95 x 14 wheels: 32 psi (E70 x 14 wheels: 28 psi)

Compared with other cars:

Exterior	Cricket	Valiant	Duster	Scamp	Barracuda	Interior	Cricket	Valiant	Duster	Scamp	Barracuda
Wheel- base	98	108	108	111	108	Headroom–F	37.6	38.7	37.5	37.6	37.4
Frt track	51	59.1	59.1	59.1	60.2	Headroom–R	36.0	27.3	36.5	36.7	35.7
Rr track	51.3	55.6	55.6	55.6	60.7	Legroom – F	39.7	41.5	41.5	41.5	42
Length	167	195.8	195.8	199.6	193	Legroom – R	32.7	34.7	30	31.9	28.9
Width	62.5	71	71.8	71	75.6	Hiproom – F	52.5	57.2	57.2	57.2	57.1
Height	54.9	54.3	53.1	52.8	50.9*	Hiproom – R	52.5	57.2	56.9	56.9	52.5
Trunk (cf)	12.2	14	15.9	14.3	7.4	Shoulder – F	52.5	55.4	55.4	55.4	57.5
* ’Cuda. Notes: Cricket is sedan version. F=Front, R=Rear						Shoulder – R	52.5	55.5	55.1	55.2	55.3

1974

See light bulbs and fuses

For the first year, Valiant and Dart sedan had exactly the same body size. Styling did not change except details behind the rear door.

Engines	198	225	318	360
Bore x stroke	3.40 x 3.64	3.41 x 4.13	3.91 x 3.31	4.00 x 3.58
Carb	1-barrel	1-barrel	2-barrel	4-barrel
Compression ratio	8.4:1	8.4:1	8.6:1	8.4:1
Spark plug type	N14Y	N14Y or 66P	N13Y or 65P	N12Y or 67P
Power		105	150	220
Torque		185	265	280

All models had a 16 psi cooling system pressure and 195° thermostat with a 0.35” spark plug gap. Firing order on the six was 1-5-3-6-2-4; on the V8s, 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. The gas tank held 16 gallons of fuel, the engine held 5 quarts of oil including the filter, and the power steering system used 2.5 pints of fluid.

The 7.25 rear axle held 2 pints, the 8.75 held 4.5 pints; recommended axle oil was SAE90 unless the temperature was expected to be below 10° Farenheit. Then the factory suggested SAE80 down to -30°, and SAE75 in even colder temperatures (the factory put in oil “satisfactory to -20°F.”) Changing the rear axle fluid was not recommended unless it was contaminated.

Recommended oils in above-freezing temperatures were 10W30, 10W40, 10W50, 20W40, and 20W50. For temperatures dropping at times to -10°F, the factory recommended 5W40, 10W30, 10W50, and 10W50. For colder temperatures, owners were advised to stick to 5W20, 5W30, and 5W40. Most owners currently stick with 5W30 or 10W30.

The standard battery was 305 amps, with 375 amps optional. Slant six had a 35 amp alternator, V8 41 amps, air conditioned cars 50 amps, 65 amps optional (standard with electric rear defroster).

Trailer towing was rated at 100 pounds tongue load, 1,000 pounds trailer; with the A34 towing package, that went up to 200 lb tongue load and 2,000 pounds trailer. The trailer had to have its own brakes, and have at most 20 square feet of frontal area when the six was used.

Allowed tire and wheel sizes were D78, E70, and E78, depending on model and wheel; the D78 was available on 4.5 J and 5.5JJ wheels, the E70 and E78 on 5.5JJ wheels (radials were also available). All wheels were fourteen inches for 1974. Chains were not recommended for any of these sizes. Another option, for which chains were possible, were 6.95 tires on either wheel — but the same wheels were used.

6.95 translates roughly to P185/75R14 or P195/70R14. D size tires don’t have a modern equivalent but P185/75R14 fit on the 4.5” rims; the common substitute, P195/75R14 will fit but bulges out and probably is not ideal. Those with bigger wheels can move to P205/70R14.

You can tell if the “radial tire roadability package” was installed by the door sticker — if it lists “DR78” or “ER78” then it was probably installed. (The “R” stands for “Radial.”) Wheel sizes were 4.5J and 5.5JJ — the smaller tires could but put onto the larger wheels but not vice versa.

Appropriate modern tires to replace the D78-14 standard tire appear to be 195/75R14. If the width is acceptable, 205/70R14 also appear, but they may not fit on the standard 4.5-inch wheels.

1975

Full specifications are in our 1975 detailed Dart writeup (Valiant, Duster, etc. were identical in this year except in slight differences in length). Also see the 1972-1975 section above and the 1976 section below. 1975 and 1976 Valiants, Dusters, Darts, etc. were nearly identical in all respects (except Australian models). Wheelbase remained 108 inch on coupe, 111 on hardtop and sedan.

The 340 engine was replaced by the 360; Duster 340 was renamed Duster 360, and Dart 340 was renamed Dart 360. The 360 was only available in the cars with that number in their name. All other cars had the 225 slant six standard, 318 V8 optional.

Alternator: 35 amp for slant six, 41 amp for V8. All air conditioned cars had 50 amp alternators. All cars with electric rear defrosters had 65 amp alternators; customers could also special order those.

Valiant taxi

	2013 Dodge Dart	1975 Dodge Dart
Headroom, front	38.6	37.6
... rear	37.0	36.7
Legroom, front	42.2	41.5
... rear	35.3	31.9
Shoulder room, front	58.2	56.3
... rear	56.1	56.0
Base weight (pounds)	3,173	3,140
Price, 2012 dollars	$16,000+
Length	183.9	203.2
Width	72.0	69.6

Wheels were 4.5J on slant six and V8. Slant six tires were 6.95 x 14” while V8 tires started at D78 x 14” (also optional on the six). 5.5J wheels with E78 x 14 tires were standard on the Dart SE and 360 Sport, optional on Dart Swinger and Custom. ER78 x 14 tires on 5.5J wheels were optional across the board. Dart 360 got black sidewall bias-belted polyglass tires standard; steel-belted radials were optional across the board. For Dodge, four-speed manual Hurst shifters were optional on Dart Sport with the Rallye package. A fuel pacer system used the fender-mounted turn signal light. A radial tire package included a front sway bar (standard on SE and 360) and “special tuning.”

The weight varied. For four door sedans, the base and Custom slant six was 3,140 lb and the V8 3,285 lb. The SE added around 220 lb to the slant six and 165 to the V8. Hardtops were 3,115 lb (Swinger) or 3,340 (SE) plus 150 lb or 60 lb for the V8 (from Swinger or SE six). The two-door coupe started at 3,060 lb for Sport six, 3,205 for Sport V8, and 3,415 for Sport 360.

(For more comparisons to the 2013 Dodge Dart, see Allpar’s comparisons page.)

1976 Valiant and Dart

Also see the 1972-76 section.

Wheelbase: 108" (two door special) or 111" (others)
Front Tread: 59"
Rear tread: 55.6"
Length: 197" (Valiant two door) to 203.2" (Dart)

Car & Driver, 1976	Dodge Dart Sport	1975 Valiant Brougham*	Corvette L82	Trans Am	Mustang II Cobra
Engine	360 automatic	318 automatic	350 automatic	455 manual	302 manual
0-60	7.3		7.1	7.0	8.9
0-100	26.4		19.9	22.3	40.0
Quarter mile	15.7 @ 88.3	19.7 sec	15.3 @91.9	15.6 @ 90.3	17.0 @ 78.0
Braking from 70	201 ft	220	195 ft	175 ft	214 ft
C/D mileage	13.5 / 15.5	15 / 18	14.5 / 16.5	12.0 / 13.0	Not recorded
Cost, as tested	$4,825	$4,500	$10,053	$5,722	$5,884
Weight	3,650		3,655	3,820	3,305

* From a prior year’s Car & Driver

Base model: 225 slant six or 318 V8; three speed manual transmission. All wheels had 14 inch diameters; regular wheels were 4.5 wide, 360 wheels were 5.5 wide. The battery was rated at 305 or 440 amps, alternators at 41 amps (base). The gas tank held 16 gallons. All had electronic ignition. Standard features included electric choke assist, hubcaps, fuel, temp, and ammeter gauges, color keyed armrests, concealed sapre, electronic voltage regulator, two-speed electric wipers and dual braking systems. Stereo was not available but a rear seat speaker (on the left side) was; oddly, rear decks were stamped with holes for stereo speakers in the rear.

	1974-76 Valiant Four Door Sedan	2011-14 Chrysler 300C
Wheelbase	111	120
Length	203.2	199
Width	69.6	76
Height	53.9	58.4-59.2
Weight	3,140 (6) / 3,285 (8)	3,961-4,561
Ground clearance	5.3 ?	4.7-5.0
Cargo volume	14.0 or 14.3 cf	16.3 cf (500L)
Front head room	38.3	38.6 - 36.9
Front leg room	41.6	41.8
Front shoulder room	55.4	59.5
Rear leg room	35.6	40.1

The Brougham was increasingly popular with people downscaling from higher-end cars to get better mileage. The package was mainly cosmetic, with color-keyed carpeting, velour seats (bucket or bench), “luxury door trim panels,” poorly-simulated woodgrain dashboard inserts, carpeted trunk, better sound insulation, day/night mirrors, molding sills, vinyl side moldings, drip rails, and deluxe wheel covers. Radios remained optional.

V8 buyers also got front bumper guards and manual disc brakes.

AXLE RATIOS, 1976	Six cylinder	318 V8	360 V8	With Sure Grip
3-speed manual (standard)	3.21	2.45		3.21 (or 2.71 with 318)
3-speed manual (optional)	2.94	2.94, 3.21
4 speed manual (standard)	3.21	2.94 (3.21 opt)		3.21
Automatic (Standard)	2.94	2.45 (2-door), 2.76 (4-door)	2.94	3.21 (or 2.71 with 318)
Automatic (Optional)	2.94, 3.21	2.94, 3.21	3.21

Government passing specs follow. A low speed pass started at 20 mph and was limited to 35 mph. A high speed pass started at 50 mph and was limited to 80 mph. The object being passed was a 55 foot truck; the car had to be 40 feet behind the truck when starting and 40 feet in front when finishing (for a low speed pass; a high speed pass made that distance 100 feet). The greater acceleration of the slant six Fury over the slant six Valiant is puzzling but may be related to axle ratios. Transmissions were not specified and we are assuming automatics. The Volare/Aspen actually had longer passing times. The Dodge Colt, with a 1.6 liter engine and manual transmission, beat the 318 but not the 360.

	Slant Six	318 V8	360 V8	Slant Six Fury	440 Fury
Low speed pass	475 feet / 11.0 sec	460 feet / 10.5 sec	405 feet / 8.6 sec	465 feet / 10.6 sec	400 feet / 8.4 sec
High speed pass	2090 feet / 24.8 sec	1480 feet / 16.2 sec	1245 feet / 13.3 sec	1945 feet / 22.8 sec	1130 feet / 11.7 sec

Government braking specs from 60 mph to a stop:

	Valiant/Dart, Drum brakes	Any car, Disc brakes	Fury/Monaco Taxi (Disc brakes)
Light load	225 feet	194 feet	220 feet
Maximum load	225 feet	204 feet	215 feet (that’s what it says)
Emergency brakes	450 feet	456 feet	495 feet
Power brake booster failure	n/a	456 feet	475 feet

For details on these engines: slant 6 | 273, 318, 360 | 340

Also see bulbs and fuses

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