Vehicle Description
1963 Dodge Polara 500 Convertible
Well into the 1970s, when you referred to a postwar American car as
simply a "1971 Chevy" or "1953 Mercury," everyone knew you meant
the full-sized car made by the specified company, and model names
for most of these cars simply designated the trim level.
Eventually, some model names shoved all their siblings aside, as
with the Impala or 300, but the system of numerous model names for
the same car was in full swing in 1963 Detroit. In that year, your
basic Dodge came in flavors ranging from the no-frills 330 all the
way up to the loaded Polara 500.
For today's consignment we travel to the north hallway where this
gem "Polara", sporting a droptop, 500 cubic inches of "wedge"
power, and wearing a 2003 restoration that brought it back to near
perfect factory condition. A multipletop 3 show winner at Chrylsers
at Carlisle with the full gamut of build paperworkavailable. A
fully loaded, ready to kick some ass bruiser and cruiser right of
'63, buckle up and read on...it's going to be a wild ride!
Exterior
Not unlike the "fratzog" adorning the front of this car right in
the middle, the naming "Polara" avoids a real "definition" as well.
Possibly from Polaris, or "pole star" or just a made-up name. We
will take every inch of this car because it's a Dodge namesake
classic, meaning when we refer to it, we can just say 63 Dodge and
everyone will know what you are talking about. This example
presents with all straight rust-free steel and bathed in deep clean
red with only a few faults at the base of the doors. An electric
shaver styled front inverted V grille which is flanked by a small
high beam running light, and a round headlight which is molded into
the front quarter, and a shiny bumper below looks the part. In full
500 trim, this Polara has a nice shiny trim spear that runs from
stem to stern and on the back dives downward to touch the rear
bumper all just above the new for 1963 slight cove at the belt
line. Nice polished window trimmings are seen throughout, and
another stainless steel polished rocker trimming is also on and
highlighting the pristine red paint. Streaking forward from the
rear bumper is a wide stainless panel on either rear fender which
accentuates the highly polished chrome Cragar wheels and staggered
width BF Goodrich raised white letters perfectly. Not to be outdone
by the body, a clean white canvas convertible top covers the
passenger compartment and shows with a crystal clear plastic rear
window.
Interior
Like new interior door panels are covered in red and white vinyl
with a centrally located textured vertical and horizontal thin
ribbed panel in the center, along with shiny door actuators and
window cranks. Moving inside, a pair of smooth white bolstered
buckets with flaming red tuck and roll inserts flank a short
console. These seats have white piping in the red inserts and are
equipped with cleanred lap belts. In back, a full bench is also in
very good condition and matches the front seat pattern. The console
is topped with a pair of ashtrays in chrome and a brushed aluminum
lid for the storage compartment..."smoke 'em if ya got em! An
original dash is fronting these chairs, which also have some nice
chrome accenting on their edges and red inserts on the backs. As
for the dash, it makes full use of beautifully curved and sculpted
lines, some chromed plated areas, some ribbed aluminum panels and a
red padded dash top in excellent condition. This dash has a push
button transmission, and push button temp controls. An original
radio is in and we note a 4-some of AutoMeter gauges along with a
dash top mounted MoonEyes tachometer. We see a small red box under
the dash that houses an AM/FM/CD stereo. This is all fronted by the
original plastic steering wheel in two tone red and white and a
fratzog in the center of the horn ring. Nice red carpeting floods
the floors and is all clean and ...well, red!
Drivetrain
Under the hood, in a fully restored painted red engine bay sits an
orange clad 500ci wedge based big block V8. This mighty mill has
been fitted with Wiseco pistons, Eagle rods and a Comp Cams roller
cam with .550" lift and 243 degrees of duration. Topping this
thirstyV8 off are a pair of 4bbl Edelbrock carbs perched on a
Mancini Racing cross ram intake manifold which helps make the dyno
proven 482.3 horsepower. There is a 3-speed A727 Torqueflite
transmission on the back with a manual valve body and an 8-3/4 inch
rear axle to spin the hides. Beautifully restored and looking like
it just drove off the lot under this hood.
Undercarriage
A near perfect presentation with the only rust noted is of the
surface variety where the black textured undercoating has chipped
off. Otherwise it's solid straight steel from front to back.
Independent torsion bars for the front suspension, and leaf springs
and air shocks for the back along with 4 wheel drum brakes are seen
when up on the lift. We note the addition of TTI stainless steel
headers to aid in spent fossil removal and a pair of stainless
steel mufflers to keep the roar from awakening the neighbors...in
the next county over.
Drive-Ability
My crack decoder was off for the day tending to his non vehicular
duties so I got the opportunity to drive without his constant
backseat input. Upon turning the key she fired right up and thanks
to that humongous 500ci V8, ran like a champ and forced me to make
a trip to the local Walmart for a newpair of tighty whiteys. Smooth
and endless acceleration, bias free braking and nice handling for
this powerful drop top. I noted the factory gauges are disconnected
and non functional as is the factory AM radio, but the AutoMeter
supplied supplements work swimmingly as does the aftermarket head
unit. Even the power top actuatedsmooth and flawlessly.
With original versions of this car like hens teeth and way out of
range of the average muscle car aficionado, this car presents
nicely, as a wonderful tribute version, and is priced within range
of the average potential buyer. Own a piece of early muscle car
only available from the dealer options, and only if you knew
someone at the dealership that it was even available.
6432193670
6-Dodge V8
4-Polara 500
3-1963
2-Dodge Main, Detroit, MI Assy Plant
193670-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
