Due to a strategic miscue by Chrysler executives, Dodge had no traditional full-size cars to sell for 1962. They reacted in record time and by mid-year Dodge had the Custom 880 which was a mix of the Chrysler Newport and the prior’s year’s Polara. Because of the lateness in getting to market for the 1962 model year, only 17,500 Custom 880s would be built – and under 700 were convertibles like the seller’s car. Located in Post Falls, Washington, this Dodge is available here on craigslist for just $1,500. Thanks, local_sheriff, for sleuthing this one out for us!
A Chrysler exec heard a rumor that Chevrolet was downsizing for 1962, so they decided to downsize, too. Only after it was too late to change plans, they learned that the rumor was false. Seeing the error of their ways, Dodge quickly married the front clip from a 1961 Polara with the Newport’s defined rear quarter panels and passenger compartment and the Custom 880 was born. This body sharing allowed Dodge to debut the 880 in January of 1962, just four months past the normal new model launch dates.
The seller’s white 880 convertible has been in shop storage for the past 15 years. Other than a couple of ripples in the sheet metal, there doesn’t seem to be any body damage, but we only get to see one side of the car. Likewise, just one view of the interior doesn’t help much either, especially since the front seat has been used for storage. The seller says it has a new leather top, but the wording may mean that the top was installed prior to the car going into storage. But the seller is only looking to get $1,500 out of the car.
Under the hood is a 383 cubic inch V8 with the push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission that Chrysler was a fan of in the early 1960s. The car doesn’t run but the seller believes that a rebuild of the carburetor might get it to fire off. That’s after fixing the ignition key assembly in the dashboard (did this put it out of commission in 2006?). The last photo here is of the rear section of another ’62 Custom 880 convertible we checked out recently. That will give you an idea of what the Chrysler part of the car looked like, even though painted red.
Terrible presentation with only three pictures but the ask is really cheap. It looks like it has a lot of potential and it is a fairly rare car. I can’t see this interesting car lasting long, especially if it is a rust free car. Anybody would take a shot at it for $1,500.
This could be a Low Rider.
Wow….two of these rare models in a matter of weeks? I never expected this. I have to agree, poor photos aren’t going to help sell this 880. We have no idea what the driver’s side of the car looks like, nor most of the interior, any options it might have, or hidden rust being a unibody. Can’t balk at the price; it leaves plenty of room to make arrangements to haul this home.
`62 MoPar full-size models aren’t highly desired unless you count the 300H, but being a convertible works in this car’s favor. Definitely worth restoring, and the buyer might find plenty of help through Chrysler car clubs.
I knew a garage owner in Mineir, Illinois
who had one for his personal driver back in the ’80s. His was light blue with
a darker blue interior with a white top.
And boy, did it look sharp with a set of
Cragar mags on it too. It ran a souped
up 413 mated to an HD Torque flight
tranny. It sure sounded good with that
set of Thrush mufflers running out the
back. I’d just drop a 440 magnum in
this car, fix the brakes and fuel system,
and drive it while I finished the rest of it.
That’s how we did it 50 years ago, and
it still works good today.
The misunderstood rumor that the Chrysler executive heard was actually that Chevrolet was coming out with the Chevy II compact for 62.
It happened at a cocktail party in early `59. execs from GM, Ford, and Chrysler were there. It was a social gathering and a little bit of everyone knew one another.
Someone eavesdropped on a conversation, but they didn’t hear it completely. All they heard was ‘smaller body style’ and `62 model year basically. And unfortunately, The execs at Chrysler ran with it, not realizing it was a whole new platform being discussed, much to their shagrin. And the rest as they say, is history.
Good luck finding parts for this!
Maybe body parts but mechanical is no sweat, any HALF DECENT parts store can dig them up.
I wouldn’t give you 10 cents for a ” regular ” 1962 Dodge (well, except for a wagon) because they are just so weird looking. But a Dodge 880 looks so much like it’s Chrysler ” sister “, classy and conservative, like a big car should be.
With the pictures in the ad you get the idea that the owner isn’t sure if he wants to sell or send his car to the nearest scrap heap.
If I had space in the garage and mechanical skills I would certainly consider it. Interesting Mopar drop top at a low point of entry. It will certainly be a fun cruiser when restored. Very cool I think.
Just to keep things ‘honest’, this car is in Post Falls, IDAHO, not Washington. (just across the border).
Surprised the listing is still up. I would buy that all day long.
This is the car that made my Father drop an F Bomb. He ordered a light blue with blue interior similar to the one mentioned above. It came in with blue paint, black interior and black top. He refused. His long term Dodge dealer offered a Chrysler at the same price. The dealer called his factory contact, who said, at that time, all blue cars got black tops and interiors. Sales literature was just plain wrong.
He switched to Pontiac. and bought new every two years and kept for four.
messages to the craigslist email returning unspecified error. I have a desire for this car. anybody know what happened? listing is still up –