Detroit’s response to the import car onslaught brought three vehicles from the Big Three for 1960, with several sister versions joining within the year: The Mercury Comet joined the Ford Falcon mid-year, while the Valiant-esque Dodge Lancer arrived for 1961. Our Pick of the Day, a 1962 Dodge Lancer 770, shared the exact same body as the Valiant, but offered different styling and a more upscale interior. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a seller in Jarrell, Texas. (Click the link to view the listing.)
The all-new A-body Valiant was introduced as its own brand for 1960, but it was properly folded into Plymouth for 1961. Dodge managed to get its own version that year and called it the Lancer. Previously a name used to distinguish Dodge’s hardtops from its sedans, the new Lancer differentiated itself from the Valiant with a horizontal grille book-ended by quad headlights; out back, round taillights on the fins were a hint of what was to come for full-size 1962 Dodges. Trim levels were 170 and 770, the latter of which had more brightwork and plusher interior appointments. Body styles included four-door sedan, four-door wagon, two-door sedan, and two-door hardtop.
The 170ci “Slant Six” came standard with a floor-shifted three-speed; a push-button TorqueFlite was optional. A larger 225ci Slant Six also was available, including a version made of aluminum. A Hyper Pak kit from the parts counter added a ram-induction manifold and Carter four-barrel carburetor, cast-iron headers, a hotter camshaft, and more.
In 1962, Dodge updated the grille for the Lancer and the Lancer 770 two-door hardtop became the Lancer GT, complete with bucket seats, a pleated leather-grain interior with front bucket seats, full carpeting, wheel covers, and a padded dash. Lancer 770 sedans and wagons now featured five hash marks on the rear fenders to distinguish themselves from lesser 170s. In a blow to enthusiasts, the standard three-speed manual transmission moved to the column.
For 1963, the Chrysler Corporation redesigned the Plymouth and Dodge A-bodies, with the latter receiving a new name that had already been used for several years: Dart. The Lancer would return for 1985 as a stretched K-car sports sedan of sorts. It lasted through 1989, upon which the name was no longer associated with the Chrysler Corporation.
This Medium Blue Metallic 1962 Dodge Lancer 770 four-door sedan features Chrysler’s famous push-button transmission connected to the Slant Six, though the seller does not indicate which one other than “original, with new cylinder head and hardened valve seals.” Also new under the hood are the alternator, voltage regulator, water pump, and thermostat and housing. The same goes for the brakes, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and brake hoses.
Inside, the front and rear seats have been repaired; the carpet is three years old. “New headliner, new heater, new seat belts, new speakers, new Custom Autosound radio,” adds the seller.
This Lancer has all the charms of Vigil Exner’s goofy vision for the 1960s combined with reliability and common sense, as the Lancer can seat six easily. You can even imagine using this as regular transportation due to the reliability of the Slant Six. For only $16,000, this Lancer will give you plenty to talk about every time you fill up at a gas station.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
Source: www.classiccars.com