Update 10/24/17 – I’m not sure where my brain was when I wrote this, but I mistakenly stated that this Polara is equipped with a 318 when it really is powered by a 383! Bidding is just a little over $2k, making this a steal for a big block classic!
There are lots of great classic cars out there, most of them get overlooked because they aren’t super rare or powered by a monster V8. They are still great cars though and are often much more affordable. This 1965 Dodge Custom 880 might not be as collectible as a Coronet or a Charger, but it offers decent style, plenty of features and a V8. The best part is that it’s being offered here on eBay without a reserve and a current bid of just $1,825 in Wayland, Michigan. It’s a running and driving Mopar that you might be able to take home for $2k or less!
The Custom 880 is a mid trim level version of the Polara. The same range of engine options were available in the 880 as the Polara, this car received the 383 with a single dual barrel carb. You could actually option these cars with a 440, which would have made it a bit of a speed machine. The 383 might not have the power of a 440, it is a great engine for daily use and more power can be extracted from it if necessary. Personally, I would drive it with the 383, but be on the look out for a 440 to drop in it.
This Mopar started life out Metallic Turquoise with matching interior, but at some point it was repainted white. The interior is still in its original color and while it has some issues, it actually doesn’t look too bad. You would want to eventually redo it, but throw a blanket on the front seat, do a thorough cleaning and you’d be good to go! The seller states that the car runs nicely and stops, but still needs work. They don’t state what work needs to be done, but I would guess it just needs the standard tune up and brake work to be a safe driver.
While the white paint doesn’t look bad, the scrapes and dings aren’t pretty. It looks like the original paint is still there, so perhaps with some careful sanding it could be revealed and polished up? I’m not sure it would be worth all the work, but it might be worth a shot! It will be interesting to see where bidding goes with this full sized Mopar. At the current price it seems like a killer deal for a classic American two door, but you never know where bidding might go.
…the ad says it’s a 383…which is a good thing…this could be the bargain of the day!
well if you look at the plug wires the distributer is up front so it is a 383
The polyspheric 318 was produced through 1967 and had the distributor in the front….
Hi, you are correct, it is a 383. I’m not sure what my brain was doing, but for whatever reason, when I read the ad I saw 318. I’ve since corrected the post. Sorry for the confusion!
Could be a poly 318, very easily… produced through ’67, front distributor.
Had the exact car but a ragtop. Found it behind a barn , paid $350 and drove it away! Halfway home realized rear wheel bearing was shot which made for a smokey ride home😀
Drove on and off for a couple years no problems manual steering and manual drums i remember with the top down it was sitting in a living room it was so big
Good times!
The 440 wasn’t available in 1965 and you couldn’t get a Hemi in a full size.
It lead a rough life if it only has 80,000+ miles. It might actually be a decent deal if the bidding stays low.
Steve R
Exactly, where do these guys get their info…or lack thereof?
Not a 318. It’s a big block. Being a two barrel, I believe it’s a 361.
Beware of northern cars repainted white….may be hiding a ton of Bondo.
you are right however this car was never driven in north. came from California and put away and never registered in Michigan
Love it – rough & ready – that’s a big block in there
I’m betting a relatively solid 60’s two door Mopar with a 383 is worth a premium regardless of it not being a super popular model, wouldn’t surprise me if it goes close to $6k.
The first letter “S” indicates it was registered in Calif. in 1966
As others have said it’s a 383. Base engine for all US market 1965 Dodge Cs was the 383. All but the Monaco got the 2 bbl while the Monaco got the 4 bbl (with single exhaust). After that it was 413 (auto trans only) or 426W (auto or 4 speed). No 361 in a C body; that was for B-bodies. Canada market C bodies could get the 318 or even the slant 6 but not USA market cars.
This car is interesting because it has factory A/C, full tinted glass and power windows. Not too common.
I have a 65 Polara convertible with factory A/C. Very unusual. It came out of San Jose and has blue/yellow plates.
My folks bought a ’65 wagon with a 413 brand new, I drove it a while and sold it to poor neighbor (literally, these guys had a dirt floor and the the ducks and chickens shared it with the kids) for $20 when the starter went out and was glad to move on. It had way more power than something with that horrible handling and brakes should ever have (one good panic stop from 90mph and the brakes faded to nothing and I personally pegged passed the 120 mph speedo, stupid kid me) . I don’t think these things are safe by any definition, I remember thinking the center of the steering wheel looked like a spear ready to puncture my chest. But if someone loves it Mo-power to you.
Add some torque thrust d’s , fix up the motor, and slap on a loud exaust, make sure it’s safe and then hit the street.
Like it’s Chrysler and Plymouth cousins from the same era, these are heavy, substantial cars. Fun to drive because of the torsion bar suspension, they ride so much different than similarly sized GM and Ford cars. It’s still a big car ride, but firm…but not hard. It’s interesting. If you’ve driven fast and sporty cars and appreciated the contrast between those and a big, cushy GM car, get even more perspective by driving one of these full size mid-60s Mopars if you ever get the chance.
Power windows and air conditioning add a bunch of interest – but wow, compare the style of this against a Pontiac of the same year… the Pontiac is sexy and beautiful, this is one ug-lee duckling.
Back in the 60’s even the Dodge dealers used to refer to the full size models as ‘the hodge podge Dodge’.