How many Dodge Darts were made in 1972?
The Dodge Dart was produced in the 1972 model year in the tens of thousands range; most estimates place total production for 1972 around 110,000 to 125,000 units across all body styles and trims, including domestic and export markets. No single public source publishes an exact total, and figures vary by source and data provenance.
To understand the number, it’s helpful to review how production is counted, what variants were offered in 1972, and why sources differ. The 1972 Dart lineup spanned several trims on the same A-body platform, with counting methods ranging from factory records to collector catalogs.
Production context for the 1972 Dodge Dart
In 1972, the Dodge Dart sat on the long-running A-body platform shared with related models. The model year offered a mix of sedans and coupes across trim levels, but the exact count is not published in a definitive public ledger. Historians and hobbyists compile totals from period production data, VIN registers, and catalog summaries.
Sources and reliability
Because there is no universal, citable production ledger for every model year, researchers rely on published catalogs and archival records. These sources can yield slightly different totals depending on whether they include export units, fleet sales, or subsequent re-styles.
Before looking at the numbers, a note: the estimate below reflects the commonly cited range across reputable automotive reference works.
- The most widely cited range for 1972 Dodge Dart total production is approximately 110,000 to 125,000 units.
Proportion differences by body style, trim, and market can push totals short of or beyond that band, but the published range remains the best shorthand for the model year's scale.
Why the numbers vary
Several factors complicate a precise, single figure for 1972 Dart production. These include variations in body styles and trims, export vs. domestic allocations, and the data sources used by historians.
- Body style and trim mix: The 1972 Dart lineup included multiple variants, and production tallies are often compiled by model year and trim rather than a single "Dart" total.
- Domestic versus export: Some records include export shipments to Canada, Europe, or other markets, which can alter totals reported in U.S.-only datasets.
- Data provenance and cataloging methods: Different reference works (factory records, VIN data compilations, and enthusiast catalogs) classify and count cars in slightly different ways.
- Historical record gaps: Factory-era documentation from the early 1970s can be incomplete or dispersed, leading to softer estimates in modern compilations.
The consensus range remains a useful guide for collectors and historians, even as precise figures elude a single authoritative citation.
Implications for collectors and enthusiasts
For collectors, the approximate production range informs rarity and desirability but should be weighed alongside the car's condition, originality, and documentation. A well-documented 1972 Dart that preserves its original components can be a sought-after example, even if production numbers are not exceptionally low.
Summary
In summary, the 1972 Dodge Dart likely produced about 110,000–125,000 units across all variants, though no single source publishes an exact total. The figure reflects the model's mid-size, multi-trim appeal during the early 1970s and the data-collection challenges that come with vintage-car production. For anyone researching a specific VIN or a particular variant, cross-check multiple reference works and factory-era documents to triangulate a precise tally.
