DartSmart.net Dodge Dart models
Dart 17 inch wheel


Mopar Mighty Muscle Machines Celebrate 75th Anniversary


Mopar 75th Anniversary

Mopar Muscle Magazine
2012 marked the 75th anniversary of Chrysler's parts division, Mopar (which stands for 'Motor Parts') . To celebrate, Chrylser put full page color ads like the one above in magazines like Mopar Muscle (left). The Mopar "M" is a retro symbol from Mopar's early days. The slogan, "With you every mile" indicates their committment to support muscle car enthusiasts.

In the '60s, Chrysler's aftermarket parts also came from Mopar Division. But in the '70s and '80s, they opted for a new name for their performance parts supplier: Direct Connection. In 1987 Chrylser reverted to Mopar Division for both its worldwide parts network and its performance packages. Today Mopar parts are known for both performance and quality.

Beginning in 2010, Chrysler created a specially-equipped Challenger with a unique performance package and markings called the Mopar 10. The next year came a Charger christened the Mopar 11. 2012 saw a 300 as the Mopar 12, and signifying their support of the revived compact, the Mopar 13 was a Dodge Dart.

Right: Mopar performance catalog from 1977. Dodge called it's aftermarket performance parts "Direct Connection". Plymouth tagged theirs "The Rapid Transit System".

Below: Direct Connection-era Mopar patch on a Chrysler mechanic jacket.  The design echoes Mopar parts packaging, and features Chrysler's most iconic symbol, the Pentastar.

Mopar mechanic patch 
Dodge Direct Connection

Pentastar

Dodge Ram logo hat

Decades of Dodge

Above left: The Pentastar meant Chrysler, and appeared on the hoods, trunks, and numerous other places of Dodges, Plymouths, and Chryslers.

Above right: The '90s saw the Dodge Ram symbol from their phenomenally successful  truck line make its way to other models.

Right: The new Dodge "elite" double slash logo appears on all 2013 Dodge vehicles Dart included, as well as on Dodge Motorsports racing.

Dodge Motorsports