The Monaco was introduced in 1965 as Dodge’s top-of-the-line automobile. It was positioned above the Polara and built on the C-body platform, which is also used for Chryslers. As a 2-door hardtop, it had bucket-like seats in the rear, perhaps as a nod to the upcoming 1966-67 Dodge Charger. This nice example was almost completed as a restoration when the rebuilt motor failed. As the seller is getting on in years, taking the project further is of no interest, and “his loss is your gain” as more than $20,000 has already been invested.
Some of the verbiage used by the seller appears to have been borrowed from Wikipedia, so we’ll try not to replicate that here. The 1965 Dodge Monaco might qualify as a “personal luxury car”, putting it in the same category as – say – the Ford Thunderbird (though that seems like a bit of a stretch). To help differentiate the automobile, a 383 cubic inch V8 was the smallest engine offered in the Monaco, and that’s what the seller’s vehicle is. The seller has put a lot of time and money into redoing this Dodge, which was almost ready to cross the finish line.
Among the things you can check off the to-do list are new paint, new interior, rebuilt automatic transmission, new suspension, new tires, and a new fuel tank. Apparently, the V8 was not rebuilt properly and failed before some wiring and other final touches were undertaken. We don’t know the extent of the damage to the engine, but we suspect it could be fatal as the seller is talking about having to replace it.
If you don’t mind finishing what others have started, perhaps this Mopar is right up your alley. It’s a shame it got this far without being ready to hit the road. Located in Tehachapi, California, the seller tells us the reserve is low but the opening bid of $5,000 has yet to be cast here on eBay. Will you be the first one to break the bad luck spell this Dodge had?
A good friend in HS bought as a first car the 4 door version of this with the 413ci during the state auction-a former highway patrol car that shamed more than a few that saw their stock “muscle cars” as untouchable. More than once the parting words were “it’s still ugly!” to which he usually replied “Yeah but it’s faster than yours”. LOL
I’d own this in a hot minute if I thought my domestic CFO wouldn’t notice.
Cool ride.
GLWTA
The barbell grille and delta taillamps were pretty cool. Plus sitting behind that dashboard would have been awesome. Getting beat by mom’s car would have stung a bit.
Back when DODGE built quality CARS and when aspirational names ruled. Royal Monaco Brougham, New Yorker Fifth Avenue edition, Fleetwood Brougham deElegance, et al. Now names( like 450 SL) are as bland as the vehicles that wear them. With a little work, this looks like a real Bon Marche! 👍 The Price is right 😉
Another awesome mid-60s C-body Mopar!
I thought the Dodge 880 was the top model in ’65, but Wikipedia tells me that it was the Monaco, available in only 2-door hardtop. I guess the 880 would have been the top 4-door and convertible for ’65.
Given that all the Mopars could have been ordered with most options, a nice Plymouth Fury could be just a good as a New Yorker, I suppose.
I’ve never seen the 6 window sedan, here in Canada, all the ’65, ’66 Dodges I’ve seen had a solid C pillar.
Maybe they weren’t made in the Canadian plant.
I had a ’65 Dodge Polara 500, which was a 2-DR with no center post, and its roof line was exactly the same as this Monaco. It’s interior was also exactly like this Monaco. I can’t see any difference between it and my Polara. The torqueflite transmission shifter was in the middle of the floor console, with climate control AC, electric windows, power-tilt steering wheel, My Polara had the same exterior color with the fender turn signal indicators. The grille was exactly the same. The difference in the exterior was the tail end. It did not have the chrome strip across the middle of it with red reflector inserts. The back end of my Polara was simply the body color and those big delta tail lights. It also had a 383 4 brl with other performance-options and the equivalent to a posi-track rear axle. It looked heavy, but it felt light on its feet when I put the tranny in low gear and floored it – the front end would lift up as it roared and screamed smoking the rear tires and then took off like a rocket as I up-shifted to 2nd and then DR. That era of the Chrysler torqueflite transmission was built for that performance – and delivered beautifully. — I also left a few “performance cars” in the dust to my delight.
I bought it used when it was 2 years old. I guess someone ordered a Polara 500 2DR and then jazzed it up with all the extras that made it what it was – just a chrome strip short of being what the Monaco offered. It was a very comfortable car to drive long distance as well, and I really enjoyed it for many years before trading it in on a Satellite Sebring that was similarly equipped. — If this Monaco has the high-performance 383 4Brl, someone probably didn’t get the correct cams and lifters back in it when it was rebuilt. — I’d just swap it out with that same engine that was rebuilt by someone/s who knows Mopar engines every which way that’s possible – and then they’ll have a really nice car to cruise all day in and blow by a few performance cars along the way.
If they have to change the engine then a 440 swap would be the ticket for the buyer. This is a very nice car for someone who can fix it up…provided the rest of the work is in fact done properly.
440 being a RB, raised block, some of the accessories might have different mounts, exhaust manifolds, etc.
Compromise, put in a 400 B block, for more umph.
Well optioned Monaco. With the bucket seats, console and floor shift. 440 would be fine, but never minimize a strong 383.
My family doctor owned one of these. His 2 sons and I ran together in the wonderful late 60’s and learned that dear old “Doc” was a motorhead like all of us were. His was ordered with the 426 Hemi of the day. Sometimes give us a ride to the movies, and would smoke the tires for our pleasure. We were all jealous of the one brother our age. For his 17th birthday he got a ’57 Chevy, and for Graduation Doc bought him a crate 327 engine. And all I got was a ’58 Ford Fairlane Convertible w/332 interceptor. He got the speed, I got the girls. Fair trade when 18.
I know a little about girls and cars. It was without doubt you yourself that got the girls regardless what you drove. We knew a guy who had a brand new red corvette in mid 80’s but he couldn’t get a girl to save his life but here’s my friend with a Ford Escort and a Chevy Cavalier and he had a different girl every night.
Classic P, I know what you mean. I didn’t even have a car, but I had lots of lovely ladies. Finally found a beautiful ballet dancer who likes old cars…her ’63 T-bird…We’re still going strong since 1984!
Congratulations Rex! She looks like a classic beauty! Fortunately you didn’t WRECK things other than KARZ! 👍.
During my formative years (it was only 10 years old when I bought from my brother-in-law) I had the duplicate of this Monaco. It was white like this one but we resprayed it jet black. The interior was superior with that 2+2 styling. Ran like a scalded dog with that 383. Just ask the Georgia State Patrol.
The Chrysler Newport and, I think, New Yorker also came in the 6 window sedan configuration. The instrument panel on this Monaco reminds me of the late 50’s Imperial.
Oh yes, New Yorker 6-window Town Sedan!. GM had 6-window sedans and recently I saw a 55 Ford with the extra window and badging that said “Town Sedan”. I seem to recall some 50s-era cars where that far-back vent window opened for ventilation.
I’m not sure who came up with the concept. BTW, my 6-window isn’t “lowered”, but it kinda looks that way in the photo.
The price is right for what’s essentially a nicely equipped roller that only needs an engine. That said, a modern 5.7 or 6.2 Hemi would be perfect for making this Mopar a great family cruiser that’s seldom seen.