Vehicle Description
1961 Dodge Phoenix was the first and only reverse finned car and it
has been a one year only since then until 2020 when both Lexus and
the Nissan SUV's came out with the reverse fin. Of course it is
abbreviated because of the size difference. With only 1500
Phoenix's built that year, they are very rare and extremely hard to
find. You will never find one at any car show you go to, even
Hershey has not had but one in the past 15 years.If you look, the
price comparison is not even available because there are none to
compare it with. SOOOO, knowing this, I went out 15 years ago and
found one from Tenn. that was a one owner and 99% rust free which
is a miracle. I bought the car and proceeded to effect a
restoration. That meant completely dechromed, Dismantled body
parts[ doors, hood and trunk, and interior. What little body work
needed was done and base coat/ clear coat was done. While the
interior was out, the floors were undercoated. About 10 years I
found new old stock chrome still in original boxes. I bought it all
and eventually got most of it installed. The top was done in black
Hartz canvas along with a new top motor and lines and cylinders.
The interior is new and done correctly in red and white with all
new door panels. It has a 318 cu ' engine and auto push button
trans that all work fine. I was doing this car for me so I did not
cut corners. THEN, several years ago I heard of the Baby Blue
Phoenix convertible that was used in the movie 'Blue Hawaii' with
Elvis in 1962 and I chased it until I got it.I am probably the only
guy in the world that has two 1961 Phoenix Convertibles. The one
has got to go as I must keep the Elvis car. I will sell it for what
I own it for which is old money. You could never get done what I
paid 5 to 15 years ago, especially the NOS chrome.The car has just
a little to finish like tires and a few pieces of chrome to
install. The dual mirrors, emblems, stainless trim is all
installed. I left the interior out.
