1961 Dodge Lancer

In 1961 Dodge applied the Lancer nameplate to its clone of Chrysler's wildly successful Valiant compact. With full width grilles and round taillights the compact Lancer was stocked with the Slant-6 engine, and for a performance upgrade could be equipped with Chrysler's Hyper Pak parts kit.

The Lancer was available in two series: the 170 and 770 each with 2-door, 4-door and 4 door station wagons. The 3-speed manual transmission and the 170-cid Slant Six engine were standard.   Options included a push button transistor radio, safety padded dash, push button heater and defroster, variable speed wipers, 3-speed push button automatic, outside rear view mirror, whitewall tires, wheel covers, back-up lights and bumper guards for the front and rear.

1961 Dodge Lancer Factory Specifications & Production

Model Number	Body/Style Number	Body Type & Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Total Production
Lancer 170 Series
711	L41	4 dr Sedan - 6P	$2,069	2,595 lbs	Note 1
713	L21	2 dr Sedan - 6P	$2,007	2,585 lbs	Note 1
756	L45	4 dr Station Wagon - 6P	$2,382	2,760 lbs	Note 1
Lancer 770 Series
733	H41	4 dr Sedan - 6P	$2,154	2,605 lbs	Note 2
732	H23	4 dr Hardtop Coupe - 6P	$2,181	2,595 lbs	Note 2
731	N/A	2 dr Sport Coupe - 6P	$2,092	N/A	Note 2
776	H45	4 dr Station Wagon - 6P	$2,466	2,775 lbs	Note 2

Note:

1. Model year production for Dodge Lancer's was 74,773. A total of 20,800 were Lancer 170s. Station wagon production totaled 9,700. Individaul breakdowns are not available.
2. Model year production for Dodge Lancer's was 74,773. A total of 44,300 were Lancer 770s. Station wagon production totaled 9,700. Individaul breakdowns are not available.

Side Note:

In 1961, Lancer production included 12,637 two-door sedans; 44,884 four-door sedans; 7,552 two-door hardtops; 9,720 station wagons. No individual breakdowns are available for body styles.

Chassis Specifications

Model	Wheelbase	Overall Length	Width	Front Tread	Rear Tread	Tires
Lancer	106.5 in	188.8 in	72.3 in	56 in	55.5 in	6.50 x 13

 

1961 Dodge VIN Decoding

Serial Numbers were stamped on a metal plate on the left front door body hinge post.

First Symbol - Model/Engine 4 = Dart - six cylinder 7 = Lancer - six cylinder 5 = Dodge - V8   Second Symbol - Series 1 = Seneca/Lancer 170 6 = Pioneer station wagon 2 = Pioneer 7 = Polara station wagon 3 = Phoenix/Lancer 770 8 = Taxicab 4 = Polara 9 = Police Special 5 = Seneca/ Lancer 170 Station Wagon 0 = Fleet car Third Symbol - Year 1 = 1961 Fourth Symbol - Assembly Plant 2 = Dodge Main 6 = Newark, DE 3 = Detroit (Jefferson) 7 = St. Louis, MO 5 = Los Angeles, CA   Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence Started at 100001