Parked 40 Years! 1968 Dodge Polara Convertible
From 1965 to 1970, the Polara would have the distinction of being the only full-size Dodge convertible available in the U.S. This ’68 edition has only had one owner and was parked for 40 years for reasons unknown. The seller, who is a dealer, has taken considerate effort to get the car running again, so what remains may be mostly cosmetic. Located in Portland, Oregon, the car is featured here on eBay where a Buy It Now price of $10,000 has been set, but the Make Offer option is available to serious buyers.
The Polara debuted for 1960 as Dodge’s top-of-the-line full-size car. The 880 took on that role in 1962, so the Polara would become the next tier down. The moniker was used by Dodge until 1973 when the Monaco took its place in the line-up. The name was a reference to the Polaris star as to tie in with all the hoopla of the Space Race during the early 1960s. The third generation of the Polara (1965-68) saw Dodge move back to the full-sized Chrysler C-platform from the early 1960s after an ill-fated move to downsize the cars from 1962-64. 1968 models would be rehashed ‘67s as the car had a major facelift the year before. The presence of side-marker lights were the easiest way to tell a ’68 from a ’67.
While this Polara’s red paint is quite tired, the body may only have minimal issues. There is a bit of rust in the lower corners of the doors and perhaps some surface rust here and there, but the floors and trunk seem pretty solid. The top is likely going to need replacing as there is no sign of the back glass and it appears to be sagging in places. The chrome and trim may clean up or restore as well. The black interior is going to need a new covering for the front bench seat and maybe new carpeting, too. The dash and dash pad are okay and all the electrical doodads, including the top, are said to work properly.
The Dodge is powered by its original 383 cubic inch V8 that output 330 hp with a 4-barrel carburetor and the TorqueFlite automatic is said to shift properly. The seller thinks the odometer reading of 60,000 or so miles could be accurate. Some time and money have been invested in getting the ragtop again, which includes the following items:
- Cylinder heads removed, “massaged” and reinstalled with new push rods and upper end gaskets
- Carburetor replaced but the original was retained
- All parts of the braking system are new, including the master cylinder
- Gas tank and radiator were both removed and cleaned out with fresh fluids added
- Full tune-up was done and the water pump and battery were replaced
New B.F. Goodrich radial tires were also installed on the original wheels with the factory wheel covers
This was a nicely equipped car when new, with power steering, brakes and convertible top, as well as factory air conditioning (no mention is made of its working status). Two build sheets will accompany the Polara to its new home and if there are not enough photos in the eBay listing, the seller has uploaded more at www.nwhouseofhardtops.com.
It’s hard to get an accurate fix on the number of these Dodge convertibles that were built, but the likely number is around 4,000 for 1968. Hagerty says the Polara for that year is worth $6,000-8,600 in Fair or Good condition, but that’s for a hardtop and the drop-top would likely be higher. Put new paint, a top and some seat covers on this car and you’re not likely to see another one cruising around with top down or at Cars & Coffee.
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Comments
Love this USS Nimitz. Chrysler engineering at its best. Fix the top. Buff the paint. Clean and a blanket for bug hole on front seat. Never see these anymore.
Yeah, but 20 grand?
He can fix the top, buff the paint, vacuum the interior and get a blanket to cover the seats for well under $10,000.
Steve R
Nimitz Class Land Yacht, is what I say. 😂
The convertible was only available as the Polara 500, of which 4,000 were made in 1968. They would not have ALL been convertibles.
I had a ’68 base Polara Wagon, and the interior was much more spartan. This is a Polara 500, I would think.
I had a 1968 Monaco 500 convertible.
I was told that it was a factory reps car.
VIN showed it to be a Monaco.
It was red with a 440 engine.
Maybe the only one. Wish I still had it!
A BIG BOAT indeed!! Looking at the front driver side wheel well you see green paint not red paint, what’s up with this? Would be interesting to find out where this car was Built: Windsor in Canada, Newark ,De or Belvidere, Il. With the car sitting so long with no use you can expect to spend some heavy bucks to get the A/C working. Also, owner does not indicate if he did any thing to the valve seats as this engine was built before hardened valve seat and unleaded fuel.
Belvedere. “D” in position 7 of the VIN.
Not sure about that! . Mine is a base Polara. One of the most fun cars to drive on warm summer days. Love my Polara!
Wow! A real beauty!!!
Single-finger steering. Burnouts on demand. Effortless power simply under foot. Open roads abound!
Seems strange to have done all that engine work without cleaning up the engine a bit. Painting the valve covers while the heads are off would seem esay enough to do. That brand new shiny brake master cylinder stands out like a sore thumb. Still at 10k for a runner I’d take it if I had the room.
In my mind, kinda awkward design that was remedied in 69 with the Fuselage models across the board. No disrespect, the engineering was the best:
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1969-dodge-polara-chp
My best friend in high school, his mother had one of these in a hardtop i guess around 1970. Powerful car and fun to drive. I really don’t remember seeing one, especially in convertible form since the 70s. Those “Dodge Boys” had it going back then.
Camvette, Sweet ride!
I like it,but not for 10k with all the work needed,not a huge fan of drop tops anyway,would spend a little more on a much more presentable ride,love c-bodies though!
“Could be 60k miles” Probably was-200k miles ago. Nevertheless, this car has good bones to work with..the 383 and 727 auto are good pieces. If the car isn’t too cancerous you could make something here.
factory red? I see green poking through in several photos. Also valve covers highly unlikely – looking at them – were ever removed. Sketchy – someone should go ‘poke’ around and touch this car. Love the car itself for sure.
This is not a Polara 500 as it does not have the vertical chrome louvres on the front fender nor the “500” script on the rear fender behind the Polara nameplate.
1205 Polara convertibles made in 1968, That’s all engines from 318, 3832bl, 3834bl and finally 440.