Rare D-500 Powered 1961 Dodge Polara Convertible!
1961 didn’t go down as a very good year for Dodge, with overall sales plummeting more than half from the previous year, pushing the company from sixth down to ninth place in the U.S. market. But fast-forward more than six decades later, the ’61 cars are kind of a rarity these days, as only a shade over 14,000 Polaras were produced. Of those only about 500 were convertibles, with even fewer of the droptops coming with the monster D-500 motor, making this 1961 Dodge Polara Convertible here on eBay quite the rare Mopar. This one seems like a good restoration candidate, so if you’ve been looking for an early-sixties Dodge project it’s probably worth checking out. The car is currently located in Woodinville, Washington, with bidding up to $7,600 so far, although that’s short of the reserve. Jonny, thanks a lot for your excellent tip here!
The Polara is said to be originally from California, purchased new in Burlingame but making its way to somewhere near Salt Lake City at some point, where it was parked in a shed after a close encounter with a fence in the late 70s, which explains the front-end damage. Fortunately, it doesn’t look all that bad and seems repairable without too much effort, and the seller mentions he has a perfect hood that will be included with the sale. But the car is also said to have dings all over, so a thorough body massage will be in order before it’s ready to respray.
The standard powerplant for 1961 was a 361 cubic-inch V8, but also available was a hotter offering known as the D-500, a 383 with a 4-Barrel on top that made an advertised 325 horsepower. Allegedly fewer than 100 Polara convertibles were produced with this option, and some good news is this is one of them, and it’s also got that cool push-button automatic transmission plus a 3.23 Sure-Grip rear end. The owner says the car is now running and driving, but it’s been out of commission for a long time and he seems realistic in realizing the Dodge is going to require a total restoration.
Things inside aren’t exempt from needing attention either, with quite a bit of wearing and tearing, but for the most part, it appears complete in there. This one’s got a lot of luxurious features too, such as a power seat, power top, and an astrophonic radio, although it’s missing my favorite option for the period, Chrysler’s under-dash Highway Hi-Fi record player. While I’m seeing a lot of work ahead for the next owner, with the rarity of the droptop model and the D-500 engine, this one seems well worth the effort. What are your thoughts on this 1961 Dodge Polara Convertible?
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Comments
I’m no Mopar guy but this car is awesome.Get her all safe and dial it in and I’d leave the dent on the front along with everything else cosmetic.Great conversation starter for sure at the shows.Wonder what the reserve is? Glwts.
“Close encounter with a fence”? I’d say a little more than close, that whole front end is hammered, fixing that would be the first thing on my list. Chrysler’s funky styling was still alive and well in the early 60s, but I’ve always liked the looks of the 61 Dodge, 62 was another story, although Dodge did do a quick redemption with the 880, they were pretty nice looking, I thought. As far as this one, rare is an understatement. Needs a lotta work, but would definitely be a rarely seen gem, probably one of a handful.
what a fantastic car. This unit has all the right stuff.The only thing I would change is the crummy brake system. Sorry folks but the brakes on these are crap. I had a 58 Fury, let’s see 2 inch shoes in the rear, that lovely upper and lower wheel cylinder mess in the front, that booster gizmo situated over the master cylinder, yup, JUNK!. The close runner up was the tredlevac crap under the front Floorplan of my 59 Electra. Otherwise this is a freakin’ fabulous car. I would love to have it.
Is the passenger side door and quarter a little bondo laden?
Always loved that tail light design!
very rare car needs a bit of work, but I bet when it’s done what a GEM. it will be at the shows
Would love to buy the car but I’d want a signed notarized statement that Sean actually said the seller would never get it running. This is important archival documentation.
Nothing about your comment makes any sense
I see no badging to prove it’s a D500. Just because it has a 383/4 barrel isn’t enough for me. It’s a cool car regardless. I would try to find replacement fenders and paint them to match the body patina and put the originals away.
That rear end styling is absolutely great. A real gem for a Mopar man.
The 383 is a good engine, but nothing special in single 4-barrel form as it was used in various models for years by Chrysler in both 2-barrel and 4-barrel versions. The only reason it is “rare” in this car apparently is because there weren’t many ’61 Polara verts built and only about 20 percent or fewer buyers went for the larger engine over the 361. If it had the optional D-500 Ram Induction engine — 383 with two four-barrels on cross-ram manifolds — it would be a different story.
I have a couple of sets of cross rams from our letter car days, dunno if they’d be same for this one, but probably. Has to be the ugliest front end ever with the 63 Dodge a close second, imho, but the taillight treatment makes the car worth it to me plus that fabulous dash. And contrary to most popular opinions, I love the 62s have had two, same for 62 Plymouths. Sort of so ugly and weird they begin to look good over time and they’re certainly different. At least for me.
“Sort of so ugly and weird they begin to look good over time and they’re certainly different.”
I resemble that remark!