and a six speed (rather than a four speed). Indeed, even the cheapest New Dart gets a tachometer. Both show all the same information it's actually easier to read the cheaper display, which gives you transmission and oil temperature as well as coolant temperature, distance to empty, instant and average economy, even your tire pressure - you don't get that in the classic Dart. The new Dart has two types of gauges, the base model's and the optional one (shown here), which has a virtual speedometer. The headlight and wiper controls are on stalks and the shifter is in the console, for both manual and automatic transmissions all cars have a handbrake. Let's look at the base New Dart's display. ![]() If you got a high-end sport Dart, you got a dashboard which was far sportier. The headlight switch is cleverly not placed where your knees will hit it every time you get in or out of the car, but has no flash-to-pass feature just as there's no stalk for a quick wipe. There were lights for brake loss, oil pressure, EGR valve servicing, and seat belts, and no tachometer unless you get the 360 V8. The Valiant/Dart dashboard was simple and clear, with a large 100 mph speedometer and clear temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and alternator (showing the state of battery charge/discharge, rather than voltage). The modern ones let you pull things out, but that isn't necessarily easy, and it's harder to get stuff back in especially without causing rattles. The classic cars had a steel dashboard, so you had to go upside down with your head on the floor to work on it. They're harder to work on, to a degree - that's really a mix. The new Darts have another big advantage: there's no exposed wiring. Of course, buckets were an option back then, though not a common one. You can move the bench seat in the old cars back and forth (it takes a good deal of effort or a cooperative passenger) - you can't change the tilt. Today, though, you get cloth seats which are far better in hot and cold weather (trust me), bolsters, and real adjustments. ![]() The styling of the new Dart actually seems a bit over the top now, comparing the two, with its bulges and curves everywhere. It's darker than the photo indicates, because that black is real black. How about the new Dart? Damn, it's dark in there.
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