Given the information you have provided so far, the model year of the Dart you are
describing has been narrowed down to:
1970
1970 Highlights:
Major front end restyling
Major rear end restyling
Features unique to the 1970 Dart (as compared to all other 1967-1972 style Darts):
Two rectangular tail lights mounted in the bumper
Identification Process:
The protruding front grill and sloping rear end with tail
lights mounted in the bumper narrows it down to 1970-1972
The lack of a bezel around the front turn signals narrows it down to
1970-1971
Having only two tail lights identifies it as a 1970
(The fact that it has two tail lights mounted in the
bumper is actually enough to ID it as a 1970 in one step, I only
mention the lack of bezels around the front turn signals in case your
only view of the car is from the front; you can at least narrow it
down from three years to two.)
1970 brings a major styling change to the Dart linup.
Although the 1967 through 1972 Darts have a very similar body shape,
they can easily be divided into two groups; 1967-1969 and 1970-1972.
Although the basic body shape remained the same, both ends of the car
underwent some drastic changes.
The front end was changed to what I sometimes refer to as the "scowl"
because if you're at the right angle (looking down at the front of the
car), the protruding hood and fenders cover the tops of the
headlights, giving the car the appearance as if it is scowling, or
glaring at you. Its a
great look, and I think this style of front end is my favorite because
it is more of a "muscle" look as compared to the relatively sedate
"family car" vibe of the 1967-1969 models. (Viewed from other angles, this
new Dart front end has a
look somewhat reminiscent of the 1970 Barracuda.) In the 1967 through
1969 Darts, the headlights are basically protruding, and the middle of
the grill is sunk in. Its the opposite for the 1970 through 1972
models; the middle of the grill is pushed out, and it is the
headlights which are recessed.
The changes to the back of the car were just as drastic
as those in the front. Instead of the basically squared off rear end (when
viewed from the side), it now has an angle to it, sloping down from
front to back. (The popular Scat Pack bumblebee stripe which is
slanted to match compliments the car very nicely.)
The slanted rear end gives gives the car a feeling of motion even
when its standing still, although this look came at
the expense of a decrease in trunk space. Another obvious
change to the rear end is that the tail lights are no longer a
square-ish shape mounted in the quarter panel sheet metal,
they are now rectangular, and mounted in the bumper.
