Vehicle Description
The great thing about cars like this sinister Dodge Polara is their
classic simplicity. They're essentially the automotive equivalent
to Mid-Century furniture: clean, classy and so well thought that
they're pretty much timeless. Gone was the post-war focus on
American flamboyance, yet, at the same time, that era's focus on
quality and detail was still fully intact. And that's why, like
Mid-Century furniture, full-size muscle cars are more in demand
than ever! When it comes to something that's in demand, it's a wise
choice to find the very best. And that's where this Dodge begins to
really excel. For starters, it's backed by a fully documented
ownership history. It's been inspected by MoPar guru Galen Govier
and listed in Galen's Registry. And it's also featured in Darrell
Davis's "The Complete Guide to the 1963 Dodge Ramcharger Package
Dodge 426 Ramcharger". So, what's better than an acutely restored
Max Wedge Polara that rattles the windows? An acutely restored Max
Wedge Polara that rattles the windows, graces the registry and
serves as a well-documented point of reference for the entire
hobby!
HISTORY/CONDITION
"One of the best 1963 MP cars I have seen" That's exactly what
Galen Govier wrote on his visual inspection of this exclusive
MoPar. If that doesn't tell you how nice this Dodge is, you're just
going to have to show up at our door and check it out for yourself.
1 of 41 Max Wedge/3-speed Polaras sold in America during the 1963
model year, and 1 of only 5 currently listed in Galen's Registry,
this stunning coupe is a model of collectability. The car met its
first owner at Missouri's Bryant Motor Company in November of 1963,
and would charge through the years with the same dedicated family
until 1998. Thanks to a fortuitous 3-month flip with a second
owner, the Dodge found its way to owner number three and a
detailed, ground-up restoration that was conducted by Nostalgia
Lane of Machesney Park, Illinois. That rebuild was completed circa
2007, right in the middle of the third owner's 12-year stewardship
of the car. Owner number four would house the Dodge for another
four years. And today, this Polara rolls as super slick MoPar
muscle that mixes stellar performance with killer aesthetics!
For 1963, the Polara wrapped a fresh, Space Age profile around a
lengthened wheelbase that gifted the car much improved proportions.
At the front of this classic's correct Onyx profile, a broad grille
centers clear headlights between small parking lamps, a sublime
bumper and a chrome fratzog emblem. Above that grille, a correct
hood flows toward mostly-correct glass that's cleared with bright
wipers, shielded by polished drip rails and framed in mirrored
trim. Below that glass, a whittled, "Polara" branded fuselage
floats correct sweeps between a correct mirror, classy door
handles, a correct antenna and polished rocker guards. And at the
back of the car, a second bumper founds textured taillights beneath
an expressive "Dodge" script, a vintage Bryant Motors badge and a
second fratzog emblem.
ENGINE
There is much debate over who actually invented the muscle car.
Most people believe it was Pontiac, with their 'big engine in a
mid-size car' antics. But that line of thought doesn't really
account for the brand's hot Bonneville or storied Super Duty
engines. That mindset also totally ignores car's like Plymouth's
mighty Belvedere and this neck-snapping Polara. Whatever the
semantics are, it's hard to argue this isn't a muscle car after one
ride behind its 426 cubic inch Max Wedge V8. Chrysler's top option
for power hungry gearheads, the legendary Ramcharger twisted hearty
11 to 1 compression into 415 horsepower and 480 lb./ft. of
strip-ready torque straight from the factory. At the top of the
high-nickel monster motor, correctly decaled air cleaners feed
correct Carter carburetors, which are positioned on a correct
cross-ram intake. That aluminum manifold hangs a traditional points
distributor between stainless fuel lines, MoPar canister filters
and pliable Packard plug wires. Those cables snake around
traditional, "426 RAMCHARGER" branded valve covers, which reflect
radical, 3-inch exhaust manifolds. Cooling for the big engine is
provided by a correct Chrysler radiator, which rides between fully
restored ancillaries and fully restored horns. And, like the
dyno-proven mill, the car's Onyx engine bay is highly detailed and
exceptionally impressive, from its correct master cylinder all the
way to its fresh yellow cap battery.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
When this coupe left Hamtramck it was equipped with a rare, for the
Polara, Borg Warner T85 3-speed. However, in the name of
drivability, the car's restorers substituted a tough A833 4-speed.
That said; if you absolutely MUST have an authentic driving
experience, our sale includes a correct T85 that the techs at our
own RKM Performance Center can easily install. Naturally, there's a
rebuilt front torsion bar and rear leaf suspension that's been
completely restored to include old school manual steering. At the
center of that chassis, aluminized exhaust shuttles spent gases in
to either correct cutouts or an H-pipe crossover that hangs in
front of throaty turbo mufflers. At the sides of those pipes,
rebuilt drums hide behind polished covers, body-matched steelies
and 215/75R14 American Classic whitewalls. And the car's
over-restored floors have been treated to the same first-class
detailing as its engine bay and exterior panels.
INTERIOR
As specified by its Fender Tag, this MoPar currently rolls with a
Polara Grade Red interior. The broad bench seats are firm and,
despite being traditional muscle car vinyl, provide an upscale,
tailored appearance. There's a pristine dash that hangs intricate
telemetry and a factory-spec radio beneath a requisite Sun
tachometer. At the bottom of that dash, fresh carpet floats
color-keyed floor mats around a small shifter. And in front of the
driver, a 2-tone steering wheel spins polished spokes around a cool
fratzog centerpiece.
PROVENANCE
In addition to significant historical documentation, this Dodge's
substantial provenance includes a Galen Govier Visual Inspection
that breaks down the car's Fender Tag as follows:
1026: Scheduled for production on Friday, October 26th, 1962
0215: Shipping Order Number
BD63: Dodge V8/Polara
Y2: 2-door hardtop
TR64: Vinyl Polara interior that features a bench seat with a
folding armrest
M5: Red interior color
PB: Onyx roof paint
NB: Onyx body paint
T: Mono-tone paint with no side sweep color
A6: Floor-shifted Borg Warner T85 3-speed manual transmission
G1: AM radio that's complete with a front speaker
J5: Heater that's complete with a defroster
N8: Windshield washer
P1: Manual driver's mirror
Q9: 426 cubic inch dual-quad V8 that utilizes 11 to 1 compression
to create 415 horsepower
Y2: Sold car
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
A vintage marketing brochure
Vintage literature detailing the Ramcharger
Copies of the car's IBM card
The car's original Operating Instructions and factory accessory
literature
Multiple service manuals
Photos taken prior to the car's restoration
A wiring diagram
Engine dyno results
A full ownership history
The aforementioned Galen Govier Fender Tag ...for more information
please contact the seller.
