In the 1960s, the Dodge Polara competed head-to-head with the Chevrolet Impala, Ford Galaxie, and Plymouth Fury (in its own camp). The big C-body automobiles were redesigned in 1965 and returned to true full-size dimensions with a styling refresh in 1967-68. The seller has a 9-passenger Polara wagon that runs great but has a custom paint job that gives it a “rat rod” look. Located in West Palm Beach, Florida, this Mopar cruiser is available here on craigslist for $17,500. Kudos to Barn Finder Randy Johnson for this find.
The Dodge Polara had bounced back from an ill-fated downsizing to the B-body platform in 1962. That change had put the car at a competitive disadvantage through 1964, but that all changed with the upsizing in 1965. Throughout this generation, the big Dodges were known for their square-edged styling that was dropped in 1969 when Chrysler adopted the “fuselage” styling that would carry Chrysler into the 1970s.
With the hood open, it looks as though this wagon began life wearing tan paint. That’s not the case on the exterior, which now wears a high-gloss custom finish that resembles patina. We’re told that it attracts attention wherever the Polara goes. The interior wears two-tone upholstery that appears to be tidy and in concert with the wagon’s original color. An added plus is that the first owner opted for the third seat that faces rearward (so the kids could harass the occupants of the car behind them).
This Dodge is powered by a 383 cubic inch V8 that has been upgraded for extra horsepower. With a 727 automatic transmission and Flowmaster exhaust, we’re told it runs, drives, and sounds superb. Especially at highway speeds! For passenger comfort, the Polara has air conditioning and power windows – all with 79,000 miles on the odometer. Some other mechanical updates have been made, and the tires are maybe a year old. Who’s ready to cruise and attract stares wherever you go?
Here’s another fun one, although not at the time. The old man had several wagons to pull our campers, each worse than the last, until he got Suburbans. One of the cars was Dodge wagon. It was a 1966, but very similar. Coming back from Florida one winter, coming across Kentucky on I-24, approaching Monteagle Hill, it was a warm January day, the Dodge was struggling with the camper, slower and slower, smoke trailing out the back, finally, half way up, the Dodge gave out. The old man said, “Howie, open the hood”. When I did, a fireball of biblical proportions blew out. What happened was the transmission oil boiled out the dipstick, covering the motor, when I opened the hood, whoosh. Luckily we had a fire extinguisher in the camper, and put it out. The old man got a ride from a cop, and returned with 2 gallons of trans oil. By then, the motor had cooled, he poured the oil in, and didn’t have another problem all the way home, a sound testament to the Torqueflite, for sure.
The price only shows that some feel that something this rare, is worth that kind of money. This era wagons are extremely rare, nobody kept them except for the demo derby. I’d be surprised if they actually sell for this.
Oops, Tennessee, not Kentucky, see how it creeps up on ya’?
A new decent paint job and $17,500. would be a fair price.
Don’t like rats. Too cheesy for me. Probably one of the better looking cars of the era but this one looks like it went through a barbed wire fence.
I agree. Can you imagine how nice it would look with a paint job? Even in the original color? Otherwise its a great wagon.
Yes, this wagon deserves better paint. Ad says rear end has been power coated. So have most of ours, courtesy of Johnson & Johnson. And I don’t need to see it or know about it, either…in both cases.
In searching “1967 Dodge Polara Wagon for sale” I wanted to see one that looked finished), this came up;
https://www.classiccarstudio.com/inventory/1967-dodge-polara-wagon-1956/
Looks almost like the same paint job.
Twins or both subject to acid rain or ? Seriously, this is a custom paint job? I must have missed this at every car show I’ve ever been to. If this is a joke it went right over my head . . .
Cool wagon but enough with the surfboards. Let’s move things up a couple decades…maybe a mannequin of Aunt Edna’s corpse tied down on the roof?
The surfboards are played out. This was featured in this site in February 2024 with an asking price of $24,500, sans surf boards but with the quarter filled with travel decals. It had the same fake patina and was staged to look like it was towing an old front engine dragster. Who knows if it sold, or not. This wagon would be more interesting with faded tan/gold paint.
Steve R
owner tried to make it a Rat Rod
Man that paint job is ugleeeeee.
Looks like they were getting it ready for Burning Man.
Burning wagon?
I’m okay with the surfboards on this one it’s in FLA.,it’s the cars in Kentucky, Arizona,etc… That surfboards don’t belong..
If that’s supposed to be a “patina” it looks terrible. And why would it have a high gloss finish? This is a sharp car that needs new paint.
I sold one of these when I was working at a Dodge dealership back in 1967. Sold it to a guy named Melvin. I was around 20, and Melvin was around 65. I wonder if he still has his?
If he did still have it. It would be a garage princess. At around 120 years old, I doubt he would still be driving.
Hideous…and overpriced.
Always thought wagons in general were pretty cool and I’m a Mopar guy but who would purposely create a paintjob that looks like that?? I think if he had just resprayed it to match the engine bay he might have a lot better chance at selling it.
3 surf boards no waiting!
Someone paid good money to make it look like that? Sheesh.
not a fan of the outside. should have just painted it to match under the hood
Not a big fan of faux patina as it has played out for me. The first few were good. Now everyone with a rusty hulk thinks it could be a rat rod. Let’s move onto something else.
Miss mine….factory power door locks, cruise control and those BIG pwdbrakes…with the 383 package….it was white and we figured it was some kind of paddy wagon or prison wagon….didn’t care it was fun and kept a fender up on my girl friends 5.0 as we raced down the interstate…..
Little on the high side BUT those cat eye taillights will get you !!!