Get a load of this Dodge Polara, suddenly it’s 1964! This 36K mile, according to the seller, one family-owned car is in magnificent condition and looks much like it did when it rolled out of the Dodge assembly plant in Hamtramck so many years ago. You don’t see them like this often so let’s get a good look while we can. This Dodge is located in Superior, Wisconsin, and is available, here on craigslist for $30,000 – the seller is open to offers. Thanks to Gransedan for this tip!
By 1964, Dodge was in the third and final year of a “down-sized” full-size experiment that started in 1962. While the ’62 Polara rode on a 116″ “intermediate” sized wheelbase, it was stretched to a more accomodating 119″ spread for ’63 and remained there in ’64. There were four Polara models offered in ’64, the entry-level 330 series; the 440 series mid-tier model; the standard Polara, like this example, and the range-topping Polara 500.
The seller states that this car was his dad’s “most cherished car” and it is still wearing its original coat of paint. Other than a referenced dink in the rear deck, this Polara is truly a time capsule – the seller indicates that it has been in indoor storage for decades. There is no fading of the “P” code red finish, no signs of rot, rust, repaired panels, etc. there’s just nothing wrong! The chrome is still bright and the stainless trim shows no indication of pitting, dings or simply missing in place. Of note are the 14″ white-stripe tires, they are getting harder and harder to find though there is a Korean manufacturer that still offers them in an array of 14″ sizes – there’s even a bias-ply spare in the trunk, original maybe?
Under the hood is a 318 CI “polysphere” V8 engine good for 230 gross HP. The seller claims that this Polara, “runs and drives perfect”. Power to the rear wheels is transmitted by a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission, actuated by an instrument panel-mounted, push-button selector – a recognizable ’60s ChryCo. feature. Reviewing the engine compartment it is hard to confirm or refute the mileage claim though the thermostat bypass hose is still painted in Dodge’s red/orange engine hue, a hint of originality as it’s probably the built-with, 56-year-old component.
The interior is a continuation of the exterior, matching red vinyl showing very little sign of wear. What can be seen of the carpet, around the edge of the black floor mat is showing some discoloration but we’re talkin’ some minor stuff here. I really appreciate Dodge’s instrument panels from this era, actually Plymouth’s and Chrysler’s as well. The full instrumentation set instead of just a speedo, gas gauge and idiot lights are a welcome departure from what Chevrolet was offering at the time. The panel and gauges in this Dodge appear to be bright and clear, no word if they all function as intended.
This is a beautiful car! Subjectively speaking, I find it a sad state of affairs comparing this to the commodity-car dreck that is pawned off today, especially the plethora of CUV’s that look like corpulence on tippy-toes. New vehicles are absolutely safer, cleaner, more functional, and more comfortable but they lack a soul; they are, for the most part, appliance-like in their mediocrity. The biggest ouch factor for this Dodge, however, is the price; it’s out there, Dad’s most cherished car or not. I dig this Dodge but not at $30K, how about you?
The fourth grade teacher at my elementary school this identical car
(IIRC LOL!) This is a marvelous example, but I don’t think anyone’s going to pay $30K for someone else’s sentimentality. A real beauty! GLWTS!! :-)
If I had the money and space, I would. I remember looking at these new and being in awe. I want this very badly, but what I can not figure out, is why sell Dad’s dream car?
My Pop’s had one just like this while I was a kid and I loved it. He gave it to my unworthy uncle later as I got older and remember being mad at him for doing so.
Maybe it’s still out there somewhere which I would have to research with its license plate number.
My dream is to find one exactly like this someday or restore one. 👍🏼
Nice car would love to own 30 k seems like a lot …I would be happy to have a piece of family history ,reconsider selling it & enjoy it . Otherwise Good Luck
Chris
This car probably sold for $3400.00 new, To bad it was not equipt with bucket seats and a console. This was when you got some real metal for the money. Nice ride it is too bad Dodge didn’t build this body style for two years.
Not even a Polara 500 with buckets, and he wants $30K? It’s clean, but overpriced. The bench seat kills it for me, sorry. This is essentially a very basically equipped Polara hardtop & nothing else. There were thousands built, and more interesting versions are out there if you look. Just too much money for a basic Polara.
30K? I suppose you shouldn’t blame the guy for trying to cash in on the current “mopar pricing madness” that prevails.
I mean it even kinda looks like a Challenger, right? . . . . . . .
30K? Decent car but way overpriced. 318 plain jane with a big dent in the trunk….15k maybe.
One of my all-time favorite cars. Owned a nice, all original 90k mile example back in the nearly 90’s Light blue with a white vinyl top and the 318.
Found it in Atlanta….drove down, laid out the $2800, headed over to PepBoys and had them put on 4 new whitewalls before driving it back to OH. No seatbelts and a metal dash( with the pull up A/C vents lol)! What a ride.
Would still be driving it today if it weren’t for a Ford F-250 with a drunk behind the wheel who brought it to a very violent end.
GLWTS
Reminds me of my first car, a 1964 Plymouth Fury, red on red cloth and a 318 push button automatic.
“But there in a rickety old garage, is a brand new, shiny red, super stock Dodge”,,,okay, not quite, but legend has it, it was a ’64. It’s nice, I’ll give them that, not $30g’s nice, but you just never know what’s in those garages, even in the Badger. I had a friend just out of HS, had a blue ’64 like this, only a 361/4 barrel and 3 speed. It was a fast car. I’d be really surprised if they got $30g’s.
As the song goes “it is a brand new shiny” Super Stock Dodge “from 1963.
In 1963 that could have been a 413 or a 426 wedge, I wonder which was in the song?
You know, I thought so to, for years, but it seems, everything I look up for “Little Old Lady” cars, comes up, a ’64 Red Dodge, 413 with 2/ 4 bbls. The song was written in March of ’64, and released in August, at the height of the “Super Stock” Dodge era.
https://bangshift.com/general-news/bs-daily-tune-up/bangshift-daily-tune-up-the-little-old-lady-from-pasadena-by-jan-and-dean-1964/
Listen to the song, now I think of it it mentions a four speed stick and a 426. I remember reading a Motor Trend, review of a Super Stock 1963 (I think) used on the streets of NYC. The reviewers said it was a pain to drive and got crummy MPG, ran too rough outside of a track. Told everyone to buy the 383 and they would be much happier on the street. I might even have that 57 year old magazine around here somewhere. It should be required reading for anyone even thinking of doing this on the street.
Overpriced, but one of the nicest originals I’ve seen in many years. I’ll just have to settle for my brown ’64 Polora coupe. Its a 1/25 scale Jo-Han promo in “new condition” that i get to see every day I walk into my garage. I thank my Dad for building my cabinet and preserving all the “car treasures” from my childhood!🤓
Absolutely beautiful. Even though I am not a Dodge man, this is about as tempting as anything I could think of—if it weren´t for that bench seat.
Hoo Wee! I can remember when my Aunt & Uncle showed up in our driveway with one exactly like the one pictured in ’64. It was even the same color no less !!
Apparently, they made it back to Oregon from L.A. in record speed with NO tickets. After all, what cop wants to be shamed by a fire breathing Mopar???
Weird add. I guess when i die my kids will do the same.
Neat car and a true time capsule. Price is wishful but we do see a lot of Mopar “turds” that seem to float to the surface for samey money.
Whitewall tires are available from Uniroyal. I bought a set of new Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP II whitewall radial tires P195/75R14 just last year for my 1968 Barracuda.
But what about P225/75R14 for larger cars? So far, the largest 14 inchers I’ve been able to find are 205, and sometimes 215’s; but whitewalls are getting rarer! :-)
I had a 1963 Plymouth valiant slant 6 with a push button automatic n it was great.
My first car was a ’64 Polara 440, buckets and auto with console. Paid $20 for it in ’74. It needed a battery and a tire, dented right front fender and faded brown paint.
With new cookie cutter cars going for $50-$60k this is a great deal at asking price. Maybe seller would negotiate a little but still worthy of this number. The dent is maybe 2 hours work with a knowledgeable PDR guy. Faded carpet is simple inexpensive fix either replace or re-dye. Not every vehicle has to be buckets, console, 1,000 hp, 4spd beast. 56 year old car lovingly cared for is all I need to see. All things considered this is the type of cars that should command big money. Not rusted out hulks that need $85,000 in repairs to become what this car already is.
Dino, yes it’s a very nice car but I have to agree with the others that it’s probably worth about $15k. Are you by any chance trying to sell a similar car?
No, and reiterate my thoughts as to what people are paying for rusted out junks when this car is ready to go for fraction of the cost. Thank you
That’s hot.
Lots of negative comments about the bench seat, but this is my favorite style. It has the pull down arm rest that I prefer over a set of bucket seats. I had a 64 Dodge 330 station wagon that was equipped about the same as this car, and out of all of the cars that I’ve had it is the car that brings back the most fond memories for me due to the time in my life that I had it. It was white with blue interior.
This car reminds me of the car driven by Miss Jane on the Beverly Hillbillies.
The Super Stock Dodge in the song about the little old lady had a 413 engine with 2 4bbls and Ram Air induction. Those ram air tubes were always impressive. I don’t know if that engine was available in 1964, but the 426 Wedge and Hemi were. I imagine those 426 engines were expensive and they probably didn’t sell many.
Ha! Good one. Dates us, pal. Miss Jane always drove red Dodge convertibles. And for the record, the Jan and Dean version made no mention of the powertrain, however, the Beach Boys version did say ” with her 4 speed stick and a 4-2-6 now’,,I never knew that, thanks, Ken.
You may be thinking of “Shut Down” by the Beach Boys, which described a race between a ram-inducted 413 and a fuel-injected Corvette. According to the song, the Vette won. According to real ity, that wouldn’t have happened.
This guy was a great caretaker of this car!! It’s always good to see a well cared for car!!
My grandfather had the 4-door version of this car in light green as a company car. It was a nice car, and the 2-door version is even better, but this one is a little pricey.
If that is original paint, it is in phenomenal condition, especially considering where it is located.
If I were to win the lottery, I would pay the asking price, add on an under dash air conditioner just because (and I don’t like air conditioning) & drive it. Yeah, it is over priced, but that is what I would do IF I won the lottery lol.
It seems that all those people who put ¨lol¨ behind their comments are intellectually challenged.
Hey Gerard, before you start calling people “intellectually challenged”, you need to look in the mirror, you retarded douche. Go fornicate yourself with a corn cob.
You forgot the ¨lol¨.