Push-Button Tranny! 1964 Dodge Custom 880
Rumor has it Chrysler got wind that Chevrolet was planning to downsize its full-size cars in 1962. As such, their Plymouth and Dodge offerings would be smaller than in 1961. Turns out that this intel was bad, so the Dodge Boys hastily concocted the Custom 880 for a mid-year introduction. It would be a stop-gap effort until 1965 when a whole new line of full-size Dodges could be ready. The seller’s example from 1964 looks like a beautiful survivor whose only flaw seems to be some rust in one of the rear quarter panels.
The “full-size” Dodge that was introduced in the Fall of 1961 was seven inches shorter than a 1962 Chevy Impala. Part of that reduction was applied to the shorter wheelbase. If true, maybe the rumor mill was talking about the new Chevy II, a compact unveiled in 1962, or the new mid-size Chevelle under development for 1964. In any event, the new 1962 Dodges were similar in size to what would become the Malibu. To cook up the Custom 880, Dodge designers crafted a modified 1961 Dodge Polara front clip onto a 1962 Chrysler Newport body. Styling updates would occur in 1963 and 1964, with the latter perhaps being the most attractive of the trio.
Production numbers for the combined 880 and Custom 880 during this era had their best sales year in 1964 at 31,800 units. The seller bought this ’64 beauty earlier in 2024 with an estimated 65,000 miles. The previous owner had it for 12 years and no doubt kept it out of the elements. The only reason the automobile is up for resale is that the seller is thinning the herd to buy another home. The body and paint look great except for some “chew marks” on the bottom of the driver’s side rear quarter.
The seller seems undecided whether this car has a 361 or a 383 cubic inch V8. The former would have been standard in the 1964 Custom 880 in its last Chrysler outing. This Mopar also has a push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission which would go to column-shifting the next year (like the rest of the industry). Whatever the case, the Dodge runs and drives well, and the seller says he/she wouldn’t hesitate to take it anywhere, especially with its all-new tires.
You’ll find things quite tidy in the passenger compartment where those see-through plastic seat protectors can still be found on the rear seat. This car has under-the-dash air conditioning components, but what’s needed under the hood will need to be reinstalled. Complete with previous owner documentation and a build sheet, this Mopar is available without reserve here on eBay where the current bid stands at $3,550. You’ll have to pick it up in Cypress, Texas. Great trip down Memory Lane!
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Comments
The’62 Dodge would have looked nicer if it had been built in its original intended size, instead of shrunken, which ruined its lines and gave it the “plucked chicken” look. The 880 is the first post-Exner (he’d been canned) design and is quite a handsome car, considering how it came to be.
I like the styling of the ’62 better, it had more body lines to it. From what I read this was cooked up for mid-year in ’62 because Dodge dealers were screaming about not having a full size car. Plymouth dealers could move buyers up to a Newport, but the Dodge boys were stuck with an ugly duckling. When Chrysler got a redesign in ’63, Dodge just smoothed these out and changed the front end. I saw quite a few of these growing up as we had a local Doge dealer in our small town, and it seemed everybody’s grandma and grandpa took a shine to these. This one looks in nice shape and low miles too. Grandma only used it for church on Sundays and the beauty parlor on Thursdays.
Dodge also had the Polara in ’64 and it was nearly the same size as the 880. Both cars were nice-looking. Plymouth never made an 880 equivalent, but their 63-64 Fury was quite attractive if a little smaller. The ’65 was larger and returned Plymouth to the full-size market.
Sigh, need more proof? Here you have what I would consider the ultimate classic car, and with 305 “viewers” and only 5 bids, it doesn’t get any clearer than this. I got a news blip on my computer( so it must be right) there are an alarming amount of cars not being sold at auctions today. Many, I’m convinced, are cars just like this. The auction company won’t tell you that. You’d think with a price like this, us old farts that grew up in cars like this, would love to have it. One slight problem, WE’RE TOO OLD, dag nabit.
And for the record, the “push-button” by 1964 was nothing new. Fact is, I think ’65 was the last year. They all tried it, with poor results, except GM. I don’t recall a GM push button trans.
It’s an incredible find, again, these wonderful cars just don’t have the attraction they did in 1964. Come to think of it, nothing from 1964 does,,
Hello Howard–actually `64 was the last year for the push-button automatic. I have fond memories of the MoPars my parents had with them. A `57 New Yorker hardtop coupe, a `59 New Yorker 4dr. hardtop, Grandpa had both `60 & `63 Chryslers with them too. Dad was glad to see the column shift return when he got his `65 Chrysler. Mom, being a legal secretary by trade called them “Smith & Corona” automatics after the electric typewriter she used! LOL
@Will Fox
Push/pull button trans have returned!
Many makes are using them now.
Howard A., GM is now the biggest user of push button trans. Even Mercedes and Maserati are using them.
Howard…It’s not us! The youngsters just don’t understand or appreciate the dreams and schemes that inspired us. 😔 It’s a whole different world where only the latest in tech, style, and minimalists exist in their own small world! By crackey, That’s MY opinion and everyone IS entitled to it! 🤮 😁 🤣
Hey there Howard, actually 523 people have checked it out on eBay, with 98 watching.
That said I plan to bid and if I’m successful, drive this on Route 66 end to end next spring. One of those “bucket list” adventures with a great friend of mine.
Even with a dated “forward look” top, this Dodge had great lines.
As a testament to Fingerhut, the rear seat bottom still has that signature Fingerhut cover on it.
Mr. Dixon;
Those “under the dash A/C components”, are the vents for the Factory A/C.
The control panel buttons for the H.V.A.C. confirm it.
Mr. Dixon;
Those vents under the dash, are for the Factory A/C this car had.
The control buttons for the H.V.A.C. and the sales brochure confirm it.
There are still four plus days left in the no reserve auction. Things might heat up some when it gets closer to the end of the auction. Very nice car that appears to be turnkey. If you are compelled to correct the obvious rust in the rear quarter panels; it won’t be a huge problem to fix. GLWTS.
Howard…It’s not us! The youngsters just don’t understand or appreciate the dreams and schemes that inspired us. 😔 It’s a whole different world where only the latest in tech, style, and minimalists exist in their own small world! By crackey, That’s MY opinion and everyone IS entitled to it! 🤮 😁 🤣
Those vents hanging under the dashboard indicate that this car came with factory air. The original condenser is still present in front of the radiator but I can’t see any of the other components. Too bad. It’s always a plus when you have a factory A/C car. I wonder if the other A/C parts come with the car. The rust on the rear quarters is easily repairable. Looks like it would make a nice “take the grandkids to the ice cream shoppe” car.
I don’t know where the misconception arose that classic cars aren’t selling well. Any half-decent running classic for sale under $7500 gets scooped up faster than you can say Jack Robinson.
Sure, some “too old” goats wouldn’t bid on them, but this 66-year-old is actively looking for another project. One thing that may be holding this particular Dodge back is it’s remote location. Finding a shipper to go all the way up there and haul a big heavy car like this isn’t easy, or cheap.
Thanks to a recent inquiry, I was told my car made it to Barnfinds.com. By the way, the factory compressor, ac bracket, and pulleys come with car. As for remote location, Cypress TX is suburb northwest of Houston, TX. Thank you for the kind article and comments. 1066 views 114 watchers and 5 bids. Outstanding, thank you barnfinds.com
Seller,
Nate
I apologize Nate, for I have confused the location or your Dodge with some other car that is located in Rapid City, SD. I look at so many cars every day, it all blends together.
I love the 880. This past summer, I entered a raffle where a Detroit NPR station was raffling off a ’64 880 that Horace Dodge Jr. himself had ordered from the factory as a gift to his Mother, Anna, who was 92 years old at the time. . Old Horace never lived to see the car being delivered to him Mom, he died in December of ’63 at the age of 63. I did not win the car.
Here’s a cool video of the car being detailed prior to the raffle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkWA3qXSERI
I have never seen a Dodge 880 – back when it was new – or even to this day. I was 15 years old in ’64 – a teenage car-nut – perusing every dealership’s showroom for the new models every year – and getting the issues of car magazines showing off all the new models. I never saw this car at the Dodge dealership in our town. The first I had ever seen car was on auction here on this site. I guess they were marketed mostly somewhere else other than the Southwest US. – My ’64 Dodge 330 looked nothing like this 880 – a totally different look – inside and out. I just don’t understand why they produced it. A ’64 Dodge Polara – with the same body and dash as my 330, but with all the luxury bells and whistles – was quite attractive with very powerful engine choices. So why would Dodge need another model to compete with the Polara???!!!