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Classic recollections: 1960 Dodge Dart Pioneer

Paul and Sandy Kosiek had one stipulation when shopping for their first classic vehicle: they wanted something reliable enough to be driven straight home in an exciting maiden voyage experience.

The Wheeling couple wasn't looking for a high-dollar, four-wheeled beauty queen but still wanted to avoid shoddy, trailer-bound “handyman specials.” Throughout their extensive search, the couple remained dead set on their strict, self-imposed budget.

In the late fall of 2002, after yet another fruitless yearlong search, the couple resigned to resume the hunt once the warmer temps of spring rolled back around. That was, until a frigid January day, when they spied twin dorsal-like fins jutting up from a large mound of snow in an Arlington Heights parking lot.

After some clearing, they uncovered the 1960 Dodge Dart Pioneer attached to those fins, as well as a ‘for sale' sign displayed on the dash. A quick call to the owner revealed the powerplant did, in fact, fire to life and could move the boulevard bruiser. However, it was that same engine that was the cause of its shopper neglect.

“Every interested buyer had opened the hood and upon seeing the slant six, promptly shut it and walked away, all of them seeking the (V-8 engine),” Paul said.

But the fuel-sipping, 225 cubic-inch lightweight was just perfect for the new owners (and their wallets) as they proudly drove their 3,410-pound damsel back to their garage.

With the widespread popularity of Chrysler and Dodge's iconic, race-bred Hemi engines, many passing by unknowingly expect to find one lurking underhood. To announce his complacency with two less cylinders, Paul used the Dart's license plates to proclaim that you won't find one of those heavy, octane rockets in front of his firewall, but instead the mileage-maxing six.

In 1960, the Dodge marketing team trumpeted the car's unibody construction as one of the “greatest engineering advances of all time,” combining the “body and frame into a fortress of steel.” One strong, this motoring citadel had been besieged by some minor rust, calling for immediate attention to the rear quarter panels.

In addition, new wide, white-walled tires were ordered and installed, along with new door seals, carpet, seat upholstery, headliner, hubcaps and brakes. All chrome pieces were yanked off and stored in the couple's basement during the following arctic months, allowing Paul plenty of time to clean and polish during the cruising hiatus.

At first sign of thaw, the sparkling frills were bolted back in place to complement a new coat of decadent Cocoa Brown and Satin White, sprayed on by Bill's Auto Body in Wheeling.

With the vehicle back together, the Kosieks waste no time in punching in some gears on the push-button Torque Flite transmission, and pointing the chromed prow toward the area cruise nights. You'll find this popular pinnace parked regularly at the events in Mount Prospect, Mundelein and Palatine, or at the shows in Glenview or Wheeling.

Eager to learn about his classic, Paul joined the Walter P. Chrysler Club and discovered such things as 9,168 Dart Pioneers were sold in 1960, and continues to actively glean data and facts, adding to the immense satisfaction with his purchase.

“Anyone who wants to buy an antique should go ahead and make that step — you can find it!”

The Kosiek’s 1960 Dodge Dart Pioneer can be seen at cruise nights around the Northwest suburbs.
Paul and Sandy Kosiek of Wheeling, with son Nick, have enjoyed their Dodge Dart Pioneer for close to 10 years.
The Dodge Dart Pioneer features beautiful grille-work.
The Dart’s six-cylinder engine made the car more affordable because those with powerful factory V-8s are in greater demand.
The couple had new seat upholstery installed to renovate the Dart’s interior.