Dodge Polara

1960 Dodge Polara

Background:

The Dodge Polara was introduced in 1960 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 was downsized to intermediate 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. The Polara was a competitor to the Ford Galaxie 500 and the Chevrolet Impala.

1960 marked the first year that all Chrysler models, save the Imperial, used unibody construction

History:

Along with features from the Dodge Matador and then some, the Polara was the top trim level for Dodge in 1960 with deluxe interior treatments. Optional equipment on the 1960 Dodge Polara was a 383-cid Ram Fire V8 engine teamed up with a push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The Polara was available as a 4-door sedan, 4-door hardtop sedan, 2-door hardtop coupe, 4-door station wagon and 2-door convertible. The Polara along with its lesser counterpart, the Dodge Dart, had Unibody construction that combined the body and frame into one single unit

Model Predecessor

Royal

Model Successor

Monaco

Competition

• Oldsmobile 88
• Mercury Montclair
• Pontiac Catalina

Year by Year Changes, Production Numbers, and Cost:

Production numbers

1960 Polara 16,728 ...... Cost....$3,141-$3416

1961 Polara 14,032.......

1962 Polara 500 (only ) 12,268 The Polara 500 was available only as a convertible or hardtop coupé.

In 1962, the Polara nameplate designated a step .... Polara 500, 440, and 330 continued in production under the name Dodge .... These coupes were not available in large numbers, but are collected by enthusiasts today. Dodge thought smaller big cars would be hot in 1962, and the 1962 Dodge Polara 500 convertible was no different but the lighter, sportier Polara 500s were hot on the street and unbeatable on the dragstrip.

1963 Polara 39,800.....Cost....$2,709-$3196.

• 2,200........ 6-cylinders
• 37,600....... V8's
• Polara 500..... 7,256 all were V8's

1964 Polara ........Cost....$2615-$2976

• 3,810.......6 cylinders
• 66,988.....V8's
• Polara 500.....17,787 all were V8's

Body Styles

• 4-door sedan
• 4-door hardtop sedan
• 2-door hardtop coupe
• 4-door station wago
• 2-door convertible

Class

Full Size

Engines

• 6-225
• V8-318
• V8-361
• V8-383

Transmissions

• 2-speed PowerFlite automatic
• 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic
• 3-speed manual

Length,width,height,wheelbase

• length....217 in
• wheelbase...122 in

1961

Body Styles

• 4-door sedan
• 4-door hardtop sedan
• 2-door hardtop coupe
• 4-door station wago
• 2-door convertible

Class

Full size

Engines

• 6-225
• V8-318
• V8-361
• V8-383

Transmissions

• 2-speed PowerFlite automatic
• 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic
• 3-speed manual

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• Weight: 3345.19
• length:201.39 in
• width: 78.70 in
• height: 55.62 in
• Wheelbase: 115.92 in

Body Styles

• 2-door coupe
• 2-door convertible

Class

Full Size Personal Luxury

Engines

• 225
• 318
• 361
• 383
• 413

Transmissions

• 3-speed automatic
• 3- speed manual
• 4-speed manual

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• wheelbase: 116 in
• Length: 202 in
• Width: 76.5 in
• Height: 54.3 in

1963

Body Styles

• 4 dr Sedan
• 2 dr Hardtop
• 4 dr Hardtop
• 2 dr Convertible

Polara 500: (only )

• 2 dr Hardtop
• 2 dr Convertible

Class

Full Size

Engines

• 225
• 318
• 383
• 426:370 hp / 375 hp

426: DODGE POLARA 2-Door Hardtop 426 competition Ramcharger V-8 415-HP

In 1963, the Polara was the top of the line among Dodge models. Standard features on the Polara included a 383 V8 engine with an optional 426 cu.in. V8. Also availabe was the Polara 500 which came in a 2 door Hardtop or Convertible. Twenty-eight Polara 500 convertibles came with a Ramcharger option and only 7 of those had a high Compression package

Transmissions

• TorqueFlite auto
• 3 speed manual
• 4 speed

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• wheelbase: 119 in
• length: 208 in

1964

Body Styles

• 4-door sedan
• 2-door coupe
• 2-door convertible
• 4-door station wagon
• 4-door Hardtop

Class

Full Size

Engines

• 225 6cyl
• 318 V8
• 383 V8
• 426 V8

Transmissions

• TorqueFlite auto
• 3 speed manual
• 4 speed

Length, width, height, wheelbase

wheelbase 119 in

External Links

• MoparStyle Forums