1966 Dodge Polara

1966 Dodge Polara 500

The Dodge Polara is an automobile introduced in the United States for the 1960 model year as Dodge's top-of-the-line full-size car. After the introduction of the Dodge Custom 880 in 1962, the Polara nameplate designated a step below the full-sized best trimmed Dodge model; the Polara that year had been downsized to what was in effect intermediate, or midsize status. In its various forms, the Polara name was used by Dodge until 1973, when its position in Dodge's line-up was replaced by the Dodge Monaco. The name Polara is a reference to the Polaris star, in a marketing attempt to appeal to the excitement surrounding the Space Race during the early 1960s.

For consignment, a car that was brought back from the dead, as it was titled R as reconstructed (consignor states the car was driven through water at one point). This is a good thing, because anything wrong to give it that status was completely fixed, and now we have a beautiful low mileage surviving example of the Polara 500 complete with a correct 383ci V8 and an incorrect 3-speed A727 Torqueflite transmission.

Exterior
Dodge designers dared to be different during this era and the exterior form of this car reflects that. With sleek thin long styling for the hood and trunk of this cruiser it bleeds midcentury modern class. Straight rust-free panels adorn the car, and we see a red respray, that has some inclusions, a few dry spots, and bondo filler particularly on the rear lower quarters. Nice stainless trimmings throughout all rust and dimple free with dual headlights in a shaver styled front grille. On either side is a long spear in stainless stretching through the middle of these thin long sleek panels. Another trimming for the rockers as well as window surrounds, and we have a classic rocket ship inspired white hat boys design automobile. A note to the top which the consigner states is original, however the way it's stretched seems to possibly be a replacement. Also, the rear window would have some sign of clouding and crinkling for a car of this age... Either way it is very nice in black canvas and has a clear plastic rear window. Some snappy badging is on the car and futuristic wheel coverings with knockoff styled hubs are wrapped in thin whitewall tires which are like new. (And indeed are, from the 2nd week of 2021).

Interior
Slipping inside this 33,924 mile car, (we cannot prove that it is original mileage), we are surrounded by more space race inspired design. Beginning with the obvious in the dash which has 2 large circular bump ups in front of the futuristic steering wheel. Within these bumps are the gauge clusters with concentric circles one side housing the gas gauge in the center and the other a working clock, (disconnected as it drains the battery, but it works!). I could be in the pilot seat of the Millennium Falcon when behind this wheel! Stretching from side to side is an aluminum strip just below these big bump ups and 60's looking chromed knobs and pulls are within this thin panel. The dash top is in black padded vinyl. Flanking a V styled center console which is topped with brushed aluminum and housing a Seattle Space Needle styled shifter in chrome are beautiful black vinyl stitched ribbed insert buckets. In back is a matching bench with a smooth center insert and a speaker in the middle that is badged with a \"Fratzog\". Black carpeting is flooding the floors and a tight black headliner is above. Also noted are very cool round bezeled lights on either side of the hump just below the console top. Groovy!

Drivetrain
Under the hood we see some original assembly line markings and stickers/decals. A correct 383ci V8 painted in turquoise and like new sits within thighs clean engine bay. A dual snout air cleaner covering protects the 4-barrel carburetor, and an A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic circa October 1967. On the back the rear axle weighs in at 8-3/4 inches and has 2.76 gearing.

Undercarriage
Underneath nice and original with some patina, and plenty of undercoating believed to be original to this car. We note torsion bar front suspension, and leaf spring rear suspension. Power drum brakes are on all 4 corners and a dual stock style exhaust is on.

Drive-Ability
She fires right up, and we are off in mid 1960's jet age style to the test track. Here it performed beautifully, and had nice smooth acceleration and shifting, good solid power braking, and we put the top down and enjoyed the sunshine during our drive.

A survivor, now looking good and running even better. Come in and take a close look for yourself and you may be driving out of our hallowed halls in a white hat fratzog badged classic. Hmmmmmmmm?

VIN DECODE
DL27G63105084
D-Polara
L-Low Price Class
27-2 Door Convertible
G-383ci V8
6-1966
3-Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI Assy Plant
105084-Sequential Unit Number

FENDER TAG
A6-Console
B4-Bucket Seats
J4-?
P6-Left Hand Remote Outside Mirror
W4-?
Y0-?
AB62-383ci V8 4bbl 325hp
C5-Automatic
F1-Basic Accessory Group
H1-?
R1-Am Radio
Y1-Black Top
SO NUMBER 90811336-September 8th Build
BDY DL27-Polara Convertible
TRM L5X-Black Vinyl Buckets
PAINT PP1-Bright Red