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Extreme Veteran
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| I bought this after wanting it for 18 years. I bought it from the 2nd/4th owner. Here's the story...
I worked for a local restoration shop in the early 1990's. This car was parked in a warehouse along with a rusty convertible and a Matador D500 (3 on the tree) 2 door hardtop. All three cars were scheduled to be cut apart to make/fake a Polara D500 convertible. Since the wagon was low mileage, it was going to be used for its drivetrain, along with its instrument panel, and assorted Polara bits. I offered (begged) to buy the wagon, but was told no so many times I finally quit.
For a dozen or so years I thought the car was long gone -- until I was swapping "the one that got away" stories with a friend of mine. When I told him about the Polara wagon, he said, "That car still exists." My response was, "Get it for me!" It turned out that the restoration shop went out of business just after I left. The car was sold back to the man who sold it to the shop. He has had it tucked away in his garage ever since.
Five years after I heard it was still around... it is finally in my posession! The plan is to repair the rust, reassemble it, and have fun with it. In a few years, it will come apart for the restoration it deserves.
Aaron
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Location: Montreal, Canada | Cool story! You were meant to own that car sooner or later! |
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Posts: 2612
Location: Parts Unknown |
Congrats !!! I've said it before, and will say it again - the '60 Dodge wagons are about as good as it gets in the wagon world
I love it 
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Looks Good Aaron, waiting to see the progress on it ! |
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Veteran
Posts: 119
| That is an exceptionally hot wagon, and probably the first one I've ever seen;
the jutting taillights are exuberance personified, and then some.
Here's to patience!
TG |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Interesting roof rack system on it
What's the story on 'that' ??
CONGRATULATIONS!
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Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I went out to look at my '61 Seneca Wagon today to get a handle on what it would take to make it daily driver. Since seeing the Chrysler wagon in Louisville this past weekend I need to start on it. Great to see more wagons and thanks for the pics and of course we want to see more. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Neil,
The thing on the roof is the base of the full roof rack. The rest of the rack has been taken apart and polished/chromed. I havent put it all together yet... so the base is just sitting up there to keep it safe.
The '60 Polara is my favorite of the Forwardlook Mopar wagons. Always has been... since I saw my first one back in the early 90's. Oh.... wait... that was THIS car!!! 
Aaron |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | WAAAAAIT a second, amigo.....weren't you at a certain WPC club meet, in Burbank, in 1987???
That's where Lari's '60 Polara D500 wagon made its 'first' appearance.
That wagon is now (literally--Aaron sent me a U-Boat video of it...) moldering-away, in Japan .
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Good memory... but I never noticed the D500 wagon until it had been restored. I have an image of it in my mind at one of the Spring Fling shows. I spent most of that Burbank meet in a garage trying to get a '58 Fury finished in time for the Saturday show. I think it got there about mid-day.
I guess, technically, I saw the D500 first... but the black one triggered the emotions.  |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Was the Matador 2HT an all black car ????
Any idea what became of it ? A friend found this car in Oregon in the 80's and refused to tell me where it was.
I still have pix of it. It had a small rear window too. Crossrams, 3-onda-tree ..... it was a REAL weird car !
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Posts: 1530
Location: ZH, Switzerland | CONGRATULATION - to your great buy, Aaron. I'm sure you'll get it on the road again. It's a very solid car from the point of view of the pictures. I love it very much.
Good luck and happy motoring!
Dieter |
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Posts: 4042
Location: Connecticut | What a neat car ! And a 4dr HT as well.  Ron
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Posts: 1530
Location: ZH, Switzerland | It's a really wonderful ht wagon. The color is shiny, the fabric looks like new and even the weatherstrips around the doors are present and in a decent shape. I guess this wagon only needs minor or small rust repairs. From the pictures I don't notice any dents - exept at the passenger side between both doors. It's a really beauty you got, Aaron. My best wishes. Are you restoring the dashboard actually and do you plan to mount a new wiring harness?
Happy motoring!
Dieter |
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Posts: 1539
Location: Farnborough. Hampshire. England. | That's one helluva beautiful wagon, gorgeous shape, and looks like a solid survivor... Congratulations on a great find.... |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Weren't all Polara wagons built as hardtops?
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Thanks for the nice comments.
To answer the questions: To the best of my knowledge, the Matador's roof was cut off and it is now a convertible. It was an amazing car. The rust free hood from that car is on my wagon... so some of it lives on in its original state.
All Polara wagons were hardtops. They were the only '60 Dodge wagons available in that body style.
Except for the minor rust, the car is in great shape. The interior is in very good condition. The door panels are perfect. The rear seat is very nice and the front just needs the inserts replaced. All of the rubber is still soft.
The dash was removed -- along with the front clip -- to do a complete factory dual A/C conversion. This was started before I bought the car, and I'll finish it. The firewall has been modified, and an A/C dash has been restored. All of the parts are ready to be reinstalled.
I spent today in San Diego with the previous owner and his two A/C parts cars. One is a 60 Polara sedan and the system is 100% complete. I took dozens of pictures as a guide. I was also able to check out his 61 Pioneer wagon with dual A/C. All of the underhood stuff is different (alternator and a 318), but the dual air unit is identical.
With the information I got today, the job will be easy to finish.
With any luck, the car will be back on the road by October.
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Location: Parts Unknown | C-300 - 2010-07-15 9:53 PM
Thanks for the nice comments.
To answer the questions: To the best of my knowledge, the Matador's roof was cut off and it is now a convertible. It was an amazing car.
**********************************************
Somewhere through the grapevine, that was the story I heard too. What a shame. It truly was a one-of-a-kind car.
Any idea where it is now ?
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I have no idea wher the matador ended up. I think it's parading around in Polara clothes and has a torquflite in it now. It was an amazing car and it's a shame that everything that made it unique was destroyed. I'm just happy that my Polara wasn't ruined in the process.
I test fit the roof rack today. I'm not sure if I like it... But I have time to decide before I drill the 6 holes in the roof... Or not.
Aaron |
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Location: Parts Unknown | That is disgusting. 
No doubt that was a one-of-one car. Destroyed just cuz someone wanted the flash
of a Polara convertible. Not that a Polara convertible isn't cool, but to destroy something
that makes a Polara convertible look as common as another 57 Chevy ... sorry, ... that is
just ethically wrong. 
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| The roof rack...
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Location: Parts Unknown | No, ... that Matador !
I lusted after that beast for years ! It was a really low miles drag racer. If memory serves, it got bonked
in the front driver's fender/corner, but otherwise was an all original paint, low miles Matador 2HT with the only
low back rear window roof I have ever seen on a senior 60 Dodge 2HT, not to mention the crossram 383 that
had never been molested AND a 3-onda-tree STICK !!!!!!
Some one is going to hell for destroying that car !
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | That's one really great looking wagon! Good luck with it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Sorry... guess I forgot to post the roof rack picture.
Thanks for all of the support. My plan is to get it running by the end of next week. Lots to do between now and then, but it should be fun.
Aaron
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Location: Parts Unknown | Exner gave many of the wagons the short shrift when it came to full blown fins and overall styling. The
60 Polara wasn't one of them ! What a battleship, .. ready for intergalactic combat !
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Expert
Posts: 2679
| Doctor DeSoto - 2010-07-17 4:16 PM
Exner gave many of the wagons the short shrift when it came to full blown fins and overall styling. The
60 Polara wasn't one of them ! What a battleship, .. ready for intergalactic combat !
OH yeah, she has nice fins and looks really nice. Very cool design for sure. The old wagons look hot.
This one will be sweet when your done. |
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I have a '61 Dodge Seneca wagon that I'm putting a luggage rack on. Do you have to have the chrome strip on the roof that the "v" channel of the rack fits down on top of??? My '61 doesn't have the chrome strip that goes from rear to the front of the car. Did you drill the six holes yet to mount yours ??? |
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Veteran
Posts: 257
Location: Kansas City | Great car you are so lucky to have found that one. A few years ago I was hot and heavy hunting for a '60 or '61 Dodge and never found the right car. I finally gave up and now it seams like more are popping up all the time. Anyway, that is a great '60 you have there. Great find!!! |
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Posts: 530
Location: Wake Forest, NC | WOW It was worth the wait. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Oldwood,
Call Smitty at (301) 937-4541 about the roof stainless. He was very helpful and knows a lot about the 60 Dodge wagons. He probably has the parts you need.
I have not drilled the holes yet. It's a big decision... but I will probably do it.
I am close to getting it running. I had to track down a few missing parts at the previous owner's garage. I figure it will be on the road in a couple of weeks. It's looking great! Pics will follow when I have time to take them.
Aaron
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Location: Glen Rock PA | Great Looking Car. Thanks for sharing.
Regrds,
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Seeing as today is my last day of vacation, I thought I'd post some updated pictures. The car is not running yet, but is very close. The instrument panel is in, most of the wiring is done, and the A/C conversion is almost complete. I'm just waiting on parts at this point.
The rust repair is scheduled to begin early next month -- which gives me time to get it running. My goal is to drive it to the CPW Fall Fling in Van Nuys, California on October 30th. I think I can meet that deadline.
Aaron
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Williams California | It's really coming along nicely, Aaron!!
---John |
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Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I see your doing a period correct detail under the hood ie. hose clamps, hood spring color etc. Was the motor and engine compartment repainted when you bought it? I see you have the optional clock. So this car didn't originally have A/C? Are you planning on putting the chrome stone shields on this car? How is that roof rack coming along??? Its great to see more subs coming back from the dead. Sorry for all of the questions. I'm trying to figure out how far I should go with my '61 sub as far as upgrading optional equipment. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Thanks John. This reminds me of watching your 58 come together. I want to take the family on a road trip in the car next summer... like you did with yours.
Oldwood...
The engine block and firewall were repainted by the previous owner. Everything else was given to me already powdercoated (inner fenders, core support, air cleaner, brackets, battery tray, etc. The hood hinges were cad plated and the springs were already painted when I got the car... they were wrapped in paper and in a box. Most of what I have done is just reassemble the parts I have. Some of the parts are on for test fitting purposes - the A/C clutch and various bolts have not been restored yet. The dash and the surrounding interior trim was already modified to fit A/C and a dash pad.
So... I'm just putting it back together as it is... mostly to make sure all of the parts are there, and fit properly. I figure I'll have some fun with it until the kids get older... and then I'll take it apart again to restore it properly.
The car was VERY low optioned. It left the factory as a 6 passenger Polara. For options, it had power steering, power brakes, and a heater. That's all. It was even a radio delete car. There was no D/S remote mirror, no clock, no roof rack, and even the tailgate window was manual.
The previous owner decided to add a lot of the options... and I am finishing what he started.
When it's done, it will be a 9 passenger with every option but power windows and power door locks. So... Dual A/C, radio, dual mirrors (D/S Remote), roof rack, power tailgate window, spinners, front bumper guards, etc.
And, yes, it will have the washboards. A complete set for a sedan was included with the car -- they look great!
The conversion to A/C required a parts car and firewall modification. All of that work was done when I got the car.
I think you should add whatever you like to your car. I'm in the fortunate position that I don't have to look for any of the parts... they are all here... but need to be bolted on.
Aaron
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Expert
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Location: little rock, AR | So you are converting it to a 9 passenger. Are you welding in the rear floor pan to accommodate the 3 row seat or does the tire well work for that area? Where does the knob go for the passenger remote mirror? I just bought a 9 passenger parts car to possible turn my 6 passenger into a 9. Your car being a factory black you would have thought they would have ordered A/C. Thanks for your input. --Dorsey |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Dorsey,
the knob for the remote mirror mounts to the left of the headlight switch. The 3rd row seat is a direct bolt in.
Aaron |
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | I didn't know that the 6 would have the same floor pan configuration as the 9 passenger. So everything is a direct bolt in from 9 to my 6. The records show that there were only "58" 9 passenger V-8 '61 Seneca's built. There were "6277" 6 passenger V-8 Seneca's built. I saw the records for your year but I didn't make notes. I pm you my #. Give me a call sometime. ---Dorsey |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Aaron, have you considered installing a modern efficient A/C compressor to your car?
I know very little about the ease of installing a modern system into a car, but, given the power/mpg-draw
of the old type system, I'd certainly consider the 'shame' of having a new compressor, versus its effective
performance gain over that of the vintage system.
Doesn't some company hide a new compressor inside the shell of what looks to be a vintage unit (like those
Tar topper battery-toupees)?
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Neil, I haven't looked into the modern compressors. The one on my car was used throughout the 60's and 70's... Maybe even the 80's. With the 383, I could probably use later parts and go with an alternator and upgrade to a more efficient a/c system... But you know how I am a purist when it comes to tho gs being era correct. Believe me, if the prevous owner had not begun all of the optional upgrades on the car, I'd restore it as the plain Jane that it was.
Aaron |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | That is truly a stunning car! Sounds like one of the previous owners had some REALLY bad ideas for it and two other '60s. I'm glad to see it saved and I like seeing it go together with all the amenities. Enjoy that beauty! |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Aaron, this is coming along just great, waiting to see the finished result this fall.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Aaron, ain't nothing wrong with restoring a car correctly!
If your car doesn't already (I'm sure that it does, however) have the big dog 70Amp generator, you could
install that guy to power your car.
I had my car's generator be overhauled in the 80's, and it's still producing great voltage with no real drop-
off running the lights at night, at idle, because the battery is strong, too.
Does anybody know about or have experience with, that alleged-company which hides a modern compressor
inside a fake old-style compressor housing?
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| New update:
Rust repair starts tomorrow. The interior is gutted and the gas tank is out. The rear bumper is being difficult, but nothing an air tool can't handle.
Both rockers, both lower rear quarters, a small patch in both front floors, one bit in the bottom of the right front fender, a big hole in the left rear floor, and a few small miscellaneous areas will be repaired.
After that, I can put an exhaust system on it and get the car back on the road.
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Expert
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Location: little rock, AR | Lets see some more pics. I enjoy seeing Holy pictures. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| There will be a lot more holes tomorrow. I'll take more pics, don't worry!
Aaron |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Holey Polara... but not for long.
It was 103 degrees while we were prepping the new metal today and gutting the interior. Time for a nap... but first... more pics!!!
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Posts: 4042
Location: Connecticut | Aaron - Just a 'heads up' on welding the floors. Cover any exposed glass (windshield, side and back glass if there is rust in the rear floors) with a welding blanket. Sparks from the MIG welder will put divots in the glass and may crack it. I ruined a perfect Solex windshield in the course of welding the floors of my 59 Dodge, thanks to the welding sparks. Ron
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Location: ZH, Switzerland | Aaron
The advice of Ron is very good! Myself I used a grinder to remove not original parts of the front fender of my truck. /W the sparkle stream I ruined an outside mirror. After this operation it was covered /w many dots of melted glass, containing metal debris. Okay - an outside mirror is far cheaper than a windshield but the effect's the same.
Good luck - it looks like a lot of work ahead.
Happy motoring!
Dieter
First picture: front fender a bought
Second picture: front fender, original shape
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Ron,
Thanks for the tip.
Everything here is going well. Both new lower rear quarters are prepped and my friend is doing an amazing job. I am looking forward to getting the car back on the road. Considering how far apart the car is now, I've decided to take my time and do it right... which means I probably won't have it driving until spring. I don't really mind. After 18 years, another few months won't make much of a difference.
Oh... and that rear bumper fought me for two hours! I won.
Aaron |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Update: We have been working every weekend on the rust repair. The passenger floor has been repaired and 1/2 of the passenger rocker (inner and outer) has been replaced. This photo was taken as we turned the car around to finish the rear half of the car (in the shade). I think we have two to three more weeks of work before the car is rust free.
After this, the rest should be easy!
Aaron
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Location: little rock, AR | I see ya have the luggage rack in place. Someday, all of us SUB owners will have to get together. Thanks for sharing your progress with us. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Update: There is a rust free car in my future. The repairs are almost done, but mother nature had a sense of humor this week! I'm trying to get rid of the rust... not add to it!
The Polara was nosed out of the carport to leave space to work on the rear sections...
Aaron
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Well, you guys certainly need the rain down there in Lotus Land! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| The rust is gone! Here's the tally of what was done:
Both inner and outer rockers replaced, both doglegs replaced, both lower rear 1/4s (inner and outer) replaced, 3 foot wells repaired and one replaced, one lower front fender repaired, both front doors repaired, rear spare tire well/foot well replaced, several small areas also repaired.
The car is on its way back together!
Aaron
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| Things are moving ahead. The rust is done and the front sheetmetal is hanging on as a test fit. I try to do something every day... no matter how small. It will get done eventually.
Aaron
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I am making progress...
The station wagons were not available with the washboard trim, even though the artwork in the brochures said otherwise. I can't imagine having a 60 Dodge without these. So... with a couple of slight modifications, they are on the car.
Aaron
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Location: DFW, TX | I love it. You're doing great work on that wagon! I'm glad to see that lower trim being added. I agree, it makes the '60 a standout. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Aaron, looks good. Now, if you could only hook up some red tail light lenses in the fins...... or even apply some red reflective tape on the fin caps.... ;-) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Ian,
Thanks.
Too bad the wagon fin piece is cast as one unit.
Aaron |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Like this? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Like this?
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Aaron, not that you would do this (why not? you put the 'washboards' on it!), but, there are florescent red model paints
(available at the SoCal model train stores; the big one is in Pasadena) which you could apply to the chromed "lens-area"
of the fin moldings, which look just like red lensing.
If, in the future, you ever need to remove that paint, steel wool will do the 'trick' without harming the chrome finish.
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Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Now when you go camping you have a place to wash your clothes. We are ALL jealous!!! |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Montreal, Canada | Great work! I agree it looks really good with the "washboard" moulding.
It reminds me of this Pioneer wagon I often see in shows around here with the same mouldings added too:
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Aaron, I would go for clear red paint or such on the fin cap ends, I think it would be a real finishing touch! |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8443
Location: Perth Australia | Orange indicators
That would be the trick
Mick |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| After a year and a half of turmoil at work, I have been able to get some work done on the wagon. Long story short... I was laid off by the Los Angeles Unified School District in June 2011. I was brought back as a long-term substitute for myself, in my classroom, for the 2011/2012 year. For this year, I have been rehired as a full time teacher... Since I am the only employee in the district who can teach Architecture (I work at the district's only Architecture magnet school).
Over the summer I did everything i could without spending gobs of money. The interior has been covered in dynamat, the headliner and repainted interior trim pieces have been installed, I had the generator and fuel tank restored, and I was able to get the car running!
The rest of the projects are expensive (exhaust, interior/carpet, paint the front fenders, and rechrome the bumpers) and will be done after I get caught up on the household finances.
I'll post some pics as soon as I can figure out how to do it from my iPad.
Aaron
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Here's a link:
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w466/ahk4011/b8ba3ab6.jpg |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Since the car is running now and the 60 Fury Jr is done, I decided to focus on the interior as time permits. The headliner is done and I installed the rear air unit (not an easy thing to mount alone!). Carpet and seats are next!
Aaron
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Posts: 2596
Location: Upplands Väsby, Sweden | Looks great
Very Nice Dodge |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8443
Location: Perth Australia | That plastic (?) ducting looks really good.
Being where it is, it looks like it could get broken.
Be a pain to try and replace.
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Veteran
Posts: 177
Location: Omaha, NE | Like! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| The "ducting" is actually just a cover for the a/c lines on the passenger side, and the wiring/condensation drain tube on the driver's side. They are made out of flimsy plastic and rarely ever lasted. Mine are in decent shape, but have a few stress cracks. They were black originally, but I painted them to match the interior panels.
I hope I never have to replace them!
Aaron |
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Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | Beautiful car and superb craftsmanship Aaron, congrats!
And as a retired science teacher, glad you got re-employed, hang in there.. it's not easy these days! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 337
Location: UK | Wow! That is really great work there Aaron. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Now that you're off life support, maybe you can get this project wrapped up ! 
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Expert
Posts: 2312
Location: Arizona | What engine does it have? If it's a 361 or 383 and has the ac stuff all mounted on the engine is there any chance of getting some photos of how it all fits? I'm trying to figure out how to add air to my 60 Matador. No one seems to make parts to add aftermarket air. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I'll try to get some pics this weekend, but I have not mounted the A/C lines under the hood yet. Polaras had the 383, your Matador came with the 361. Installing A/C is not an easy job. The firewall was modified and then there are all of the parts, vacuum hoses, all of the parts under and in the instrument panel. The instrument panel is also different.
The previous owner wanted to put A/C in it, so he bought a parts car with factory A/C, took part of that car's firewall and welded it into place. He disassembled both cars and gave up. I bought the wagon in pieces, with a pile of A/C parts. I have almost finished the job... and I would suggest not doing it. There should be a company that sells an under-dash air unit that would work (and would be MUCH easier to install).
Aaron |
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Expert
Posts: 2312
Location: Arizona | I agree with you, putting a factory system in would be quite a challenge. I just want to put a universal system in. It's easy enough to find kits but none of them include the parts for mounting the compressor and adding the extra drive pulley. So that's the part I'm interested in photos of, how the drive pulley system is set up and how the compressor is mounted. Thanks for anything you are able to provide.
Jim |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I can get you that info. I'll take the pics this weekend. I'll probably post on monday.
From memory: you'll need a dual groove pulley for the generator, the crank pulley, an idler pulley, and the compressor with all the brackets. I would think that any big block setup would work... but even that stuff is getting hard to find these days.
Aaron |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I hadn't worked on the car for awhile... got sidetracked with my Fury Junior collection. It now runs, drives and stops. The A/C system is complete and working. It's going to get an exhaust system tomorrow and will be going to the body shop on Monday to get the fenders and hood painted to match the original paint on the rest of the car. After that, it's just a bit of upholstery and reassembly work and I'll be able to drive it.
I have to thank the previous owner who promised me that he would get me any parts that may have been missing. From A/C lines to heater control valve clips, he has been a man of his word. He has even sent me duplicates of things I have misplaced... knowing that I will send them pack to him when they reappear.
Aaron
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Another shot...
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Posts: 107
Location: Australia | Awswome car, can't wait to see the finished car. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Aaron,
This is one of those top shelf cars that makes me smile just thinking about the confusion
it will cause for people who see it.
How is your Dad doing ? Haven't heard anything since his fall into the empty pool.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| The car is so outlandish, I think people will lose their minds when they see it. The fact that I'm keeping the body (and most of the car, really) in original condition and only repairing what absolutely has to be done (or finish the things started by the previous owner), will make it unique. The dings and scratches will stay for now.
I learned that the car was originally purchased by a Mortuary in Pennsylvania to pick up their "clients." That explains a lot of things: The black color, the lack of optional equipment on a top of the line model, the curtain snaps in the rear cargo area, the perfect rear seat that was always folded, and the ghosts. LOL
It doesn't really change anything for me... I always had a feeling that it had been used in some sort of professional capacity. It just adds a fun, if morbid, side to the story.
More pictures will follow SOON.
Aaron |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Dad is recovered from his fall. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | If George Jetson ever had a car, it would be a 60 Polara. Did any carmaker ever come closer to
building a space ship ? Being a wagon only makes it more bizarre in the eyes of our current culture.
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Expert
Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan | Love the car. Well done. Keep up the pic posts. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Well, it was originally owned by the last man who would ever let you down.
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Location: Parts Unknown | Oh Boy ....  Don't give up that day job just yet. I think the comedy routine
needs a little more polishing there, Groucho.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Back from the muffler shop. It sounds as mellow as a black station wagon should... Until you punch it!
Aaron
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Location: NE Ohio | Nice project...... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| For the first time in over 20 years, the Polara went out for a drive today. Aside from a few minor issues (timing is off, carb needs final adjustments, speedo doesn't work, one rear brake moans), it ran great!
Now that it runs and drives without leaking, I can focus on the final reassembly. Of course, that will have to wait until winter break because the new school year begins on Monday.
Aaron
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | C-300 - 2013-08-08 9:07 PM
For the first time in over 20 years, the Polara went out for a drive today. Aside from a few minor issues (timing is off, carb needs final adjustments, speedo doesn't work, one rear brake moans), it ran great!
Now that it runs and drives without leaking, I can focus on the final reassembly. Of course, that will have to wait until winter break because the new school year begins on Monday.
Aaron
HA HA winter break indeed!! Winter in L.A. is like summer up in the Northwest!! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| It never made it to the body shop. When it came home from the muffler shop, one of the wheel cylinders was leaking. A check of the rest meant it had to go up in the air again! The wheel cylinders were "brand new" -- in 1991. After years of sitting, they were rusty and corroded. I replaced them all. The power steering pump and carburetor had similar issues. The steering pump was leaking out of the front seal. I sent it out to have a seal kit installed to save some time... that was a BIG mistake. The pump came back with a big dent in it. After I repaired the dent, repainted it, and installed it, I moved on to the leaking Holley. I think thats what Holleys like to do... leak. I rebuilt it and it still leaked. I played with it for a bit and fixed that problem.
Lesson here is: DRIVE THE CARS!!! 20 years of sitting did no good for the previously rebuilt systems on this car. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Holley Carb!! The Canadian built 60 Polara came with an AFB!
Edited by imopar380 2013-08-09 2:14 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2312
Location: Arizona | Was the Canadian built version actually a Polara or was it a Dart with the Polara name on it? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Ian can probably fill in the details... But the Polara wagons were all hardtops (no post). All wagons used the short fin rear quarter panels and the same (long) wheelbase. The short fin let all wagons (Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth) use the same rear doors. The Matador and Polara used extension pieces to make the tail lights protrude farther than the Darts. Tail lights were also different. Polara's and Matadors also used the big car front grille/bumpers/etc. Aside from the carburetor change Ian mentioned, I think there were some interior trim differences.
Hope this explains it...
Aaron |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | jimntempe - 2013-08-09 11:25 AM
Was the Canadian built version actually a Polara or was it a Dart with the Polara name on it?
The Canadian Polara was identical to the US version as far as exterior trim. The engine was a 361, not a 383 and the upholstery was the same as the US built Matador. Canada had the full three model Dart series, Seneca, Pioneer and Phoenix which were equipped with Plymouth interiors and Plymouth dash boards but the Polara used the standard Dodge dash board. The Matador was not sold in Canada. There were no D-500s built in Canada. Below are a couple of photos of my ex-Polara. It's a loaded car - factory equipped with Power windows, auto headlamp dimmer, rear defogger, dual outside mirrors ( left remote), power pack ( 4 barrel and dual exhaust) brake warning light, front and rear bumper guards. It's had a lot of options added - mirror-matic, satellite clock, power swivel seats, power antenna, electric trunk release, and most recently the owner, my freind Ron has added a vintage Chrysler under-dash Airtemp A/C system, finished it just a couple of weeks ago before we went to the Wenatchee WPC Meet. It may be the most loaded 1960 Polara in existence. The steering wheel is original, no cracks or shrinkage, even in the clear areas, just yellowed.
Edited by imopar380 2013-08-11 1:07 AM
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Expert
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Location: Arizona | Very sharp car. I noticed the Temp Lever for the heat is "on full". Is that for the same reason mine is? Replaced the water valve the "easy way"? |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | jimntempe - 2013-08-11 12:12 AM
Very sharp car. I noticed the Temp Lever for the heat is "on full". Is that for the same reason mine is? Replaced the water valve the "easy way"?
Don't know why its on heat but as far as I know the heater control valve is working fine. What's the "easy way"? |
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Location: Arizona | imopar380 - 2013-08-11 8:36 AM
jimntempe - 2013-08-11 12:12 AM
Very sharp car. I noticed the Temp Lever for the heat is "on full". Is that for the same reason mine is? Replaced the water valve the "easy way"?
Don't know why its on heat but as far as I know the heater control valve is working fine. What's the "easy way"?
The "easy" (and less expensive) way to fix a bad/leaking heater valve is to just disconnect it and put an inline valve in the hose. The original cable control can be moved to the replacement inline valve. But the movement is opposite to the original. So "off" becomes the "full heat" position on the dashboard lever and "full heat" becomes the "off" position on the dashboard lever. Cars so modified can usually be spotted by their inside lever being pushed all the way to "full heat" which for them is actually off. That's how my Matador is set up. Photo shows the valve in the hose. Other photo shows the lever inside.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca |
This is the easy way, to prevent hot air from always coming out of the heater.
Gotta get around to touching up that paint, though; be careful where you install that
shut off valve; let it hang in the air...
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Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Cincinnati | Ian..great to see the progress on the wagon...but we need to talk about priorities Fury v Polara? ;)! Hey just one point the Chrysler rear doors had the fin starts beginning with the back doors but all other wagon doors indeed were shared. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | ExWagonista - 2013-09-09 1:10 PM
Ian..great to see the progress on the wagon...but we need to talk about priorities Fury v Polara? ;)! Hey just one point the Chrysler rear doors had the fin starts beginning with the back doors but all other wagon doors indeed were shared.
Actually, it's Aaron's car not mine. :-) Also on 1960 Chrysler wagons, the fin runs right through the front doors to the front fender line. In 1961 the fin line was cut short on the front door, so you could bolt Dodge or Plymouth fenders onto a Chrysler, and vise-versa and in 1962 the fins were all gone so doors were interchangeable on all full sized wagons. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I've been making progress. I'm limited to nights during the school year, but I've made great progress when the kids are at camp!
The priorities are simple. Family/kids come first (which includes the Fury Jr's) and then the Polara. It'll get there... And when it does, it'll be amazing!
Aaron |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I forgot about the 60 and 61 Chryslers... oops.
A blast from the past... the car as I found it.
Aaron
Edited by C-300 2013-09-10 2:01 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| And now, rust free, running, and driving!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I promised my 6 year old that I'd take the 58 Fury jr to this year's Fall Fling show. I had the Jeep cleaned and ready to take the little car... And then it broke down. The Jeep went off to the dealer to get fixed under warranty, while I went home to figure out what to do.
With the sun already down on Friday night, and the understanding that the only car I could use to transport the Fury jr was the Polara, I had a decision to make. Only problem, it had no fenders, lights, wipers, or any of the things that would make the police think it was "street legal."
Three hours later it was together enough to go. I drove it to get gas at midnight . Early Saturday morning I went for a test drive on the way to the show. It was a 65 MPH blast down the freeway and it ran great! It was a big surprise for my kids and a couple of friends... Since the car was it pieces the day before and the farthest I had driven it was around the block.
Here are some pics:
Aaron
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca |
Well, here's a photo that Aaron can't post up...as seen at Fall Fling
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Love it, Neil! Wish we could have had more time to chat!
Here's another pic.
Aaron.
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Love the Polara, the Fury Jr, and the C-300 Jr too!
Thank you for the photos!
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Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | Great pics Aaron... and 2 great kids!! I'm sure they'll be "indoctrinated" into Mopars as thoroughly as your ex Pres WPC Dad did with you!... and Neil is also there to help them along! |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I believe our current society would consider this child endangerment or flat-out abuse ! 
The mental scarring from exposure to icky old cars, they'll never get over, even with a lifetime
of professional counseling.
I know I haven't. 
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Location: NE Ohio | Nice wagon...love the push/kiddie car |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | Terrific photos, Aaron! You made the best decision, it looks like it was a memorable show! To enjoy the old cars with the kids
is the best by far!!
Pete |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| This is why it was so important.
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Good going!! |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9673
Location: So. Cal | It was great meeting you Aaron. I had a gray mechanic's shirt on and was talking with Per if you haven't figured it out. I love your wagon. It looks like your family will be enjoying it as much as you do. I didn't see Neil or his car though. He must have come on Sunday when I wasn't there. I really wanted to see Gary's Chrysler, but he didn't show up on Saturday either  . Oh well, some other time. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 337
Location: UK | Great pics and progress Aaron. You must have been grinning from ear to ear driving it and with no hood too. Nice! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| A little update...
I've been working on the car with the limited time I have. I replaced the original one-year/one-model Holley with a new afb. The Holley was leaking and I could never get it to seal properly or run right. With the new carb, it fires on the first crank and runs perfectly. The Holley is on the shelf.
I also got the hood on. It fits well, and I'll align and shim the fenders before I send it off to the body shop. The fenders are off a matador, so I'll have to drill the holes for the fender top ornament bases.
In the meantime, it's good enough to drive around town as I work out the rattles and other minor issues.
Aaron
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | C-300 - 2013-10-27 10:53 PM
I promised my 6 year old that I'd take the 58 Fury jr to this year's Fall Fling show. I had the Jeep cleaned and ready to take the little car... And then it broke down. The Jeep went off to the dealer to get fixed under warranty, while I went home to figure out what to do.
With the sun already down on Friday night, and the understanding that the only car I could use to transport the Fury jr was the Polara, I had a decision to make. Only problem, it had no fenders, lights, wipers, or any of the things that would make the police think it was "street legal."
Three hours later it was together enough to go. I drove it to get gas at midnight . Early Saturday morning I went for a test drive on the way to the show. It was a 65 MPH blast down the freeway and it ran great! It was a big surprise for my kids and a couple of friends... Since the car was it pieces the day before and the farthest I had driven it was around the block.
Here are some pics:
Aaron Did you forget your driving a REAL car called a FL Dodge not a wanna be Dodge called a Jeep. LOL I know you had a warm and fuzzy feeling driving that Wagon. Especially hauling kids and another REAL car. Your Da Man!!! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I finally drove it to work (it's only 1.5 miles away). It ran well but there are a lot of things that need attention. I'll start with the kinked speedometer cable.
Aaron
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | I bet she was the only one in the parking lot!
Looks good!
Pete |
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Aaron, I bet your wonderful wagon made a real impact! What a great example of a real get-outta-my-way FL wagon.
The Beast has landed, indeed! I love it.
Have you considered changing your horn tone to this? - http://www.myxer.com/ringtone/id/114202/501stGhostRider/05-The-Impe...
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Expert
Posts: 1384
Location: Ocala, Florida | I guess it is safe to say this is your car?
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Yeah. That's mine. I took it to Bobs for the first time on Friday night. It ran well, but it was tricky with no turn signals... And I couldn't see anything out of the mirrors! I filled the tank up with gas for the first time too. Learned that the sending unit leaks where the tube goes through the plate... So that came out today. It was also leaking coolant out of one of the exhaust manifold studs and the oil pan bolts were not tight. The collection of fluids on the garage floor made me laugh. All of the leaks were fixed this morning... Except for the sending unit. I'll deal with that sometime this week.
It was a lot of fun to drive and it got a lot of attention. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9673
Location: So. Cal | Wow, you must of arrived early to get a front row seat. That place is always so crowded.
This is one of my favorite forwardlook ads for a '57 Dodge station wagon. There is a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor in that last sentence that any parent would understand.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| The past few months have been spent working out some bugs and making the car a reliable driver. I'll finish it up this summer, but for now, I'm having too much fun driving it around to worry about the primed fenders and lack of carpet! Today I took it to go pick up a few trees at a local nursery. On the way there, a girl driving on the freeway took a picture of the car . It was definitely an odd moment! I also ran it pretty hard and chirped the tires when it hit second gear. I was surprised that the trans shifted so quickly, but happy with the fact that a car this big has some hustle in her.
I'm looking forward to the Spring Fling show in two weeks. After that, the fenders will come off and I'll get started with the last leg of this restoration.
Aaron
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Looking GOOD, C-300!
You are going to have major GUNS keeping that black paint looking as good as you do! Very nice!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | Terrific, Aaron! Thanks for the photos, they are an inspiration for those of us "not quite complete" with our restorations to go
ahead and enjoy them as is. No doubt your wagon will be beautiful when done, but it's fantastic that you are enjoying her now.
Pete |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I've been driving it around for the past few months... And fixing all of its minor drivability issues. Next week the front fenders are coming back off so I can do the final bodywork on them and make the car one color. As a teacher, I have summers off... And the kids are big enough to help! So I should make some solid progress over the next few months. In the meantime, here's a picture that explains how and where I drive it -- pretty much anywhere and everywhere with no fear!
Aaron
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I painted the Polara today. It's amazing how different it looks now that it's all one color! I should be able to sand and polish it -- and get all of the trim back on -- in the next week or so.
Aaron
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Expert
Posts: 1384
Location: Ocala, Florida | Absolutely stunning! |
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Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | That's one bad mo-fo grocery gitter!!! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| It's becoming more "car" and less "project".
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| There... That's better. Now on to the interior.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Well, that was quick, and easy!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Neil, I hear the sarcasm! It was a longer road than I expected... And there is still lots of work to do. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Almost done with the exterior.
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Looking great.... now it's on to SMS for some interior fabric, maybe by 2018? ;-)
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Ian,
The car came with a complete, already sewn, NOS interior kit. The previous owner bought it in the 1980's from original auto interiors. It will be done by the end of the year.
Aaron |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Picked up the lower grille trim and rear view mirror from the chrome shop today. I should have them back on by tomorrow night.
Aaron
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Aron wrote: "...Neil, I hear the sarcasm! It was a longer road than I expected... And there is still lots of work to do."
That warn't sarcasm, but good old Under-statement/reverse psychology...and positive-impression; as in WELL done; you made
this demanding project LOOK easy...once it is done!
Congrats!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I can't believe it's been four years since I brought the Polara home! I laughed and shook my head as I reread my posts... And how the plans changed over time.
Getting laid off didn't help the timeline very much. Buying the Fury Juniors was a worthwhile distraction. I learned a lot about rust and did the body work and paint myself. My friends (well... One in particular) were completely supportive and kept me motivated.
At this point, the exterior is about where I want it. The interior needs carpet and the seat covers installed... And then I'll consider it done. Of course, they never are truly "done". There will always be something to do.
I took it to Bob's Big Boy last night for the first time with the front end assembled. As I drove there, a hearse and funeral procession entered the freeway next to me. It was very strange... Like the other professional cars were giving the old timer an escort to the cruise night! It was an odd moment. I just hoped the procession wouldn't get confused and follow me to Bob's!
Once the interior is done, I'll post some pics. In the meantime, here are some of the latest photos -- including a shot from Bob's and an impromptu mopar wagon car show held this morning.
Aaron
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Perth Australia | Funny you say about the funeral procession
I want to paint the plymouth black, but my wife said she would never ride in it because it would look like a funeral car
Might be a good reason to paint it black
Really does look great (all good things take time)
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
VERY nice, C-300!
All of your hard work has paid off, that's for sure. Your really great wagon is going to turn heads wherever it goes!
Drive with pride!
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13050
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Fantastic ride! Those Polara longroofs sure has a lot of "want to have factor" |
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Expert
Posts: 2308
Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH | Beautiful work on a car that is not now often seen. You should be proud. Now all you need to do to set your car off is to replace your Kennedy for 1960 window sticker with this one... You'll be marked as a man who marches to a different drummer for sure.
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Simpler times.
That's a bulls-eye, right?
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I installed the Polara-only lower valance trim, hooked up the exterior mirror controls, and worked on the paint a bit more. The comments have all been positive... Which makes me feel good about all of the time and effort I put into it. Thanks for all of the nice comments here!
Aaron
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Location: Arizona | What is this "polara only lower valance trim" of which you speak? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| There is a thin strip of stainless on the valance that goes from the bumper center, and wraps around the corner to the wheel well. If you look closely at the picture above you can see it below the bumper.
Aaron |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 873
Location: ALABAMA, HEART OF DIXIE | C-300 - 2014-08-25 7:41 PM I installed the Polara-only lower valance trim, hooked up the exterior mirror controls, and worked on the paint a bit more. The comments have all been positive... Which makes me feel good about all of the time and effort I put into it. Thanks for all of the nice comments here! Aaron
WOW .....!!!!!!! Beautiful. Thats a show stopper. I bet it steals the thunder from just about anything around it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Thanks! Everyone smiles and my kids had to ask how to respond to all of the "thumbs ups". We are having a lot of fun with it. All that is left to do is finish the interior and get the A/C working. Kind of important in a black car in Los Angeles! |
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Expert
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Location: Arizona | C-300 - 2014-08-29 9:39 PM There is a thin strip of stainless on the valance that goes from the bumper center, and wraps around the corner to the wheel well. If you look closely at the picture above you can see it below the bumper. Aaron My Matador has that same strip on it. Based on what I know of the cars history I think it's original.
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Perth Australia | They didnt put that strip on the darts
I thought about adding it, but let that one go
I much prefer the nose of these to the darts
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Expert
Posts: 2312
Location: Arizona | That makes sense, no strip on the Darts but on both the "senior cars", the Polara and Matador. I like the grill on the seniors better too. |
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Veteran
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Location: Cincinnati | Aaron it is beautiful and so awesome to have another 60 Polara Wagon on the road for all to see...congrats on the labor of true love...the funeral procession story is crazy! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Thanks, Bob.
I've put a little more time into the car. I straightened, polished, and repainted the wheel covers. I left the flipper bars original to keep their original patina -- to match the rest of the car. The turned out pretty good. I still have a lot to do. Next on the list is to find the ground problem in the parking lights and fix the speedometer. Still, I drive it every chance I get!
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Location: Ottawa, ON | WOW! Your car is beautiful! That's probably one of the coolest cars I've ever seen! Any chance you want to trade it for a 61 Polara sedan? ;-) ;-) |
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Posts: 1886
| love it |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I've spent a lot more time polishing the paint. Took it out to a local cruise tonight. A commercial for Las Vegas was filmed at our house on Thursday. With the proceeds, I can finally order the carpet and finish the interior! Pics to follow soon!
Aaron
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Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Tricky Dick!!! He did what most of there others have done, he just got caught. Very Nice Hard Top. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Took the Polara to our local cruise night. I've been working on some of the car's minor issues and trying to get more shine out of the paint. It's fun watching people react to a car that is uncommon, and answering their questions.
Aaron
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| The past few months have been productive. I was having serious problems with the rear brakes -- which were modified sometime in the past. The drums had been modified to slide off without a puller, but the tapered axles were retained. The setup was not done right and the hubs weren't concentric... So I had a pulsing brake pedal and yelping noises from the drums. I also had a noisy differential and three broken springs. I took it all out, rebuilt the springs, replaced the entire rear end assembly (including brakes) with a unit out of a Dodge Challenger, and added a sure-grip differential. It is so much nicer to drive now!
I also installed a reproduction dash pad sourced from Sweden. It fit perfectly. While I was at it, I replaced the speedometer with an NOS unit.
Last week I drove the car over to the upholsterer to finish the interior. The car should be done soon and I'll post more pictures.
Aaron
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Georgia | Wow! She's looking great! Clean as a pin!
Can't wait to see her with her new interior!
Pete |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13050
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Fantastic longroof - it'll really be a stunning car with the new interior |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | I am full of anticipation to see that new interior!! Make sure he "pulls in the seams" where the cloth meets the vinyl, as per original which gives it a nice cushy look! I've seen many where that wasn't done, and doesn't look near as nice. |
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Expert
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Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH | Wow! I've never seen the station wagon's rear seat A/C outlets before. I've only seen that illustrated in the shop manual. How effective is that in cooling the car's interior?
Edited by 58 DESOTOS RULE 2015-06-03 1:45 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Making some progress...
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | So, what rear end gear ratio are you running, now, Aaron?
Open diffie?
Be sure to save those brake drums; someone will be glad to have them!
Edited by d500neil 2015-06-06 8:54 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| New differential is a 2.94 sure grip. The rear drums had been cut/drilled out... And not well. I have the original setup if anyone wants it. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | You've got the backing plates?
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Neil, I have everything drum to drum with the exception of the yoke and brake lines. Aaron |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Moving closer every day.
Aaron
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I drove the car home from the upholstery shop today. The front seat, carpet, and rear side panels are done. I took it home to install all of the folding mechanisms while the upholsterer finishes the 2nd and 3rd row seats. It'll all be done next week!
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Expert
Posts: 1886
| LOVE IT LOVE IT! |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | That Polara cloth has the look of being pleated, but it's an optical illusion, very clever design woven into it, as the cloth is flat!
Edited by imopar380 2015-06-17 1:54 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 792
Location: Buena Park, CA | Can't wait to see the car out at the next Fling. |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | I just love this car. Probably my favorite on the site. You've done an excellent job! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I was busy today. I installed the 2nd and 3rd rows. I aligned them the best I could... But wow what a clunky job! It's really a two person job, but there isn't any room to have another person in there! The pieces are all big and hard to maneuver... But I got it done. It just took time. The SMS order will be here tomorrow and the rear cushions should be done by the end of next week. I have just a couple of things to install to finish the seat frames (grab handles and latches).
Thanks for the compliments! It's a special car and it's been a great journey so far. Now I get to enjoy it!
Aaron
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Aaron, what kind of insurance coverage (limits) do you have on your ride?
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Veteran
Posts: 194
Location: Dorset, England | Hubba hubba (wipes drool from chin) |
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Incredible wagon!
All of the design elements work together so well on this car, inside and out!
Congratulations on a job so VERY well done!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Another step closer... The Spectator seat cushion and backrest frames are installed and alligned. When I pick up the cushions next week, they'll mount with a couple of tabs and a few screws. It shouldn't take much time to install them!
Edited by C-300 2015-06-20 5:18 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I drove to the Beverly Hills Concours d'Elegance today. The car ran great and my 7 year old liked riding in the car without crusty foam falling out of the front seat! The rear seats are still a week away.
Aaron
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 481
Location: The Netherlands | Your wagon looks amazing Aaron! |
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Expert
Posts: 1231
Location: York County, PA | One of the members had a 1960 Dart at Carlisle a couple years ago that put the Valance on his car and it made the car look finished. Chrysler should have put it on but didn't.
Catch ya later. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Perth Australia | Harry, do you mean the front valance under the front bumper?
They all should have that?
I still think the matadore/polara front is much nicer than the phoenix one
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I think he is talking about the washboard trim on the rear 1/4. All of the cars had the same under-bumper valance. Earlier in this thread there is a picture of a Dart Pioneer wagon that has the washboards added. The reason they weren't offered on the wagons is the double wall construction in the back of the body. There is no access to bolt it down.
Since I'm making a little more progress... Here's a shot of the rear seat cushion. Also installed: seat belts, rear A/C upper side covers, and the spare tire hold-down, tire, jack, etc.
Aaron
Edited by C-300 2015-06-24 10:00 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Went for a celebratory cruise... Now that it's pretty much done.
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Perth Australia | Thats just straight out brilliant
Job well done
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Five years ago I brought home a car that needed a lot of work. So much so that my wife thought I had truly lost it! I talked to her using words like "potential", "patina", "family", "value", and "just wait." When it came home, the interior was gutted, there was nothing in front of the firewall but the subframe, engine block, and suspension. I made countless trips to San Diego to get the parts I left behind. I lost my job, then got it back. Worked through "vacations" while the kids were in camp, and late at night when they weren't. I made friends with new people, got my friend Per involved in a rust removal project that we never thought would end, and taught my kids how to pump the brake pedal to help me bleed the brakes and fetch tools that I needed. I talked my wife into the notion that this was all a great idea and that it was worth the effort. I think she may believe it... Though I'm waiting on the final tally from the upholsterer. The upholsterer, Jack's Auto Interiors in Reseda, CA, put up with my list of needs and did an amazing job. The previous owner, Mike, and I have become friends. I have sent him pictures of each step along the way. He seems to enjoy seeing them, but sometimes I worry that it makes him sad. I have done it to show him how well I'm taking care of his old car... To make him proud. I also hope he knows that my calls are more to say hi to an old friend than to say, "hey, I need such and such a part."
My family is going to ride in it, all at the same time, for the first time tomorrow. Three rows and six seat belts. So we can take two more with us if necessary. I still have to make a base to transport the Fury Jr's...but I have some time for that.
The car isn't perfect, but it is entirely usable and nice enough for how I want to use it. Most of the paint is still original, complete with dents, scrapes, scratches, some repainted areas from ancient repairs (which are also flaking off), and rocker panels that were brush painted for protection after the rust repairs were done. The interior has excellent original door panels and trim, NOS seat covers, and new carpet. Inside it's as good as it was the day it was built. Mechanically it's sorted and safe.
I'm looking forward to using it as it was intended... As a family car. A very unique, quirky, space-age family car. Now it's time to use it.
If there is anything I've learned along the way, it's that the only way to finish a project is to keep at it. Do something every day. It's the small things that add up.
Here are some pics. I'm sure I'll add more.
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
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Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Makes me Think of a song by Jerry Lee Lewis - "Breathless"!!!! I really like that you plan to use the car as it was intended to. You'll love it! |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Well done; Very well done, mon ami!
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Veteran
Posts: 194
Location: Dorset, England | Just lovely. A credit to you and all the hard work, well done. I hope the rest of your family love it too. The house is a perfect backdrop. It all looks like the perfect Californian dream come true to this Limey! |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Aaron, it looks fantastic, coming from another fan and former owner of a 1960 Polara!
Edited by imopar380 2015-06-30 12:00 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2312
Location: Arizona | If ever a car design fit the aesthetic for black paint, that car is it. It looks terrific. |
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Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Cincinnati | Agree thank you for taking the time to do it right and add another to the handful that are out there that demonstrate the genius of Exner at its best. I am sure by now the conversations with people seeing the car the first time have been amazing... even in car jaded So.Cal. Cheers to you! Bob |
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Member
Posts: 28
| Whow, what a beautiful wagon! It does not get any better!!!
I think I can shed some light on the Matadore D500 and the convertible (see the beginning of this thread).
Many years ago I bought a rough 1960 Phoenix convertible together with a 1960 Matadore 2drht, cross ram and 3 speed stick on the column that came from a restoration shop in southern Ca.
The Matadore was missing the roof and it looked like it was taken off the car using an ax!
But it had the cross rams, the stick shift column, the 1959 Dodge Coronet steering wheel in solid black (came on stick shift 1960 Dodges as it turns out). The convertible was also hacked up and it was obvious that the convertible parts were meant to be used on the Matadore but as the shop closed the conversion was never done. At the time I had a relatively large 1960 Polara collection and the Matadore was of little interest to me or anyone else.
A customer in Sweden ended up with the car and as far as I know he still owns it and it is probably in the same shape as when I sold it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| That Matador was a special car. Knowing the way things were done at that "restoration" shop, the badly chopped off top makes perfect sense. I'm glad the Matador is still around in some form, though it would be amazing to have it put back the way it was.
Aaron |
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Location: Parts Unknown | We can hope. Appreciation for the real weird cars has grown exponentially in
recent years. This car ranks as one of the best for being not-your-usual-unusual
Forward Look Mopar !
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Member
Posts: 28
| I think his plans are to restore the car as it left the factory. Don't know if that will ever happen but as far as I know that is the plan.
On a slightly different note, I just came across a 1960 Polara 2drht, a factory cross ram car! I'm told only 87 were made, anyone out there who can add info?
The car belongs to a friend who offered it to me. Unrestored car but with the original engine rebuilt and it still has all the cross ram stuff.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 836
Location: Layton, Utah | I hope you grab that one. Guaranteed there are less than & 100 of those made and I'm sure less than 15 are still around. How many miles ? Whats the color ? Get some pictures & post them for us to drool over. That would be one to get for sure. Restored to premium condition right now it would be a 125k car for sure. Dodge lives !!! The Ram Charge option in my 60 2 door Adventurer with 28K original miles.
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Expert
Posts: 1208
Location: SWITZERLAND | This is one of the best styled wagons of the FWL-aera. Black is classic, my preference would be white - so paint it.
As comparison done in the same row other colors as samples. Aaron, you did a big job in restoring this beautiful car, my compliments - SERGE -
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Posts: 1886
| This thread is awesome |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Hi Serge,
Great photoshops! I still like the black... but the red, white,and blue look great too. I'm glad you're enjoying the thread. It's been a fun journey. I've been daily driving the car for the past month. My students (and some others) always ask about it. "Is that your black car outside?" I smile and respond proudly, "Yes. Yes it is."
Aaron
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Location: Parts Unknown | I think I would respond "Which one ?", just to see where it would lead.
Another old car interest of mine is early cars. A friend was in a steel shop picking
up some raw stock to machine into a part for his 1904 Ford. Some goober saw
the part and asked what it was for, and Rick purposely answered "O-four Ford".
The know-it-all guy said "I own an O-four Ford and THAT part is nowhere on it !"
Rick wryly replied "NINE-TEEN-O-four".
I believe there are fewer 60 Polara wagons surviving than "O-four" Fords !
Have some fun with it !
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| My wife sold her daily driver and the search for a replacement took two months. She was driving my Jeep, so the Polara was pressed into daily driver status. In that time I found things that were fun, good, and not so good. The fun: People love the car. I picked up my kids at school every day. About three weeks into it, I realized I had a group of kids behind the fence cheering and walking with me as I drove in he kid pick-up lane. "Hi Max and Leo's dad!!!" This happened every day. My high school students and their parents would email me with notes that said the saw me driving. Gas stops took forever... And they happened often. 8 MPG will do that. My kids were bummed out when I showed up in the Jeep last week.
Mechanically, it's mostly fine, but It needed (and still needs) some work. I replaced the broken emergency brake pedal assembly and installed the kick panels. Things to work on: a black car with lots of glass needs a charged A/C system, the newly installed kick panels buzz, the windows rattle, the carburetor and distributor need to be properly tuned, the right exhaust manifold is leaking again, the horns don't honk, the highway gears I installed are not very good for city driving, and the front suspension bushings crumbled and fell out. All are easy repairs... And I'm a month away from my summer vacation... So I'll have time to fix most of it.
Driving in Los Angeles traffic wasn't as bad as I thought, except for the gearing. I drove it in the rain for a few days. It didn't leak, but the wipers are way too slow on their fastest setting. The big unswept area in the middle of the windshield made driving in the rain a challenge too. The dash mount rear view mirror is ridiculous, and as it got low on gas, the rest of the car would lift and I'd have a nice view of the sky.
Even with its issues, the whole time I really enjoyed driving it. It's big and comfortable. It's powerful enough and stops well enough. Power windows and door locks would be great additions, but too hard to add. It's come a long way since I bought it, and the things that need fixing are minor.
When I was driving it, I'd wash a couple times a week. Last weekend I finally had a chance to detail it to get it back to where I wanted it. Here's a picture of what it looked like after I was done.
Aaron
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Needs to be jpg extension, not jpeg . Looks great Aaron!
Edited by imopar380 2016-05-16 10:59 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Hi Ian, Got a new phone and I was having trouble with it. Thanks.
Aaron |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | Excellent, Aaron! I love that you're not afraid to drive this beast and she's quite the beautiful beast.
This car is fantastic!!
Everytime I pick up my kids from school, all the grandparents surround me in carpool!
Pete |
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Expert
Posts: 1208
Location: SWITZERLAND | . . . Got a new phone and I was having trouble with it. Thanks. Aaron -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your new number? Have some personal questions. - SERGE - (sermey@bluewin.ch)
Edited by sermey 2016-05-21 5:09 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| I can't believe it's been 9 months since my last post! A lot has happened!
After daily driving the car for a couple of months, the transmission quit working. At first it was slow to go into drive, but would go into reverse just fine. I serviced the transmission and it was fine for a couple of weeks and then the neutral to drive delay went from a few seconds to 5 minutes. I pulled the pan and it was full of clutch material and bits of petrified seal material. The car sat while I raised the funds to have it rebuilt. A local specialist agreed to do it, but he wanted $1500 to take it out and put it back. I thought, "hey, I can save money, so I'll do it myself." Yeah... now I know why the $1500 would have been worth every penny! It was not an easy job on the driveway! Anyway... got it back it and it shifts perfectly.
I have let most of the little fix-it projects slide. It's too much fun just driving it around town!
My friend, Charles Phoenix, did a Videoette about the car on Facebook. I've known him for 30+ years. When I met him he owned a '59 Dodge convertible. He is a Mid Century Modern fanatic and has a very over-the-top flamboyant style. His Videoette of the Polara received 207,000 views as of this writing -- more than any of his other videos. He'll be back in a couple of months to showcase the Fury juniors and my wife's Moss lamp collection. It was a lot of fun and it was a great way to share the car with a lot of people who had never seen one.
Now it's back to more mundane things like driving it to the supermarket and picking up the kids from school.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 337
Location: UK | Hey Aaron. I see the Charles Phoenix videotte a couple of weeks back when it was shared on a forward look fb post the car looked superb. Yes I've heard his flamboyant tones before during one of his trademark slide shows at the Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend. He's due to come over to the UK in the summer and present one of his shows at the Atomic weekender so may get to meet him there. I'll tell him how helpful you were regarding my gas tank. I'm getting ready to pull my dart wagon off the road for some much needed metalwork. I've had the trans rebuilt already lol.
Carl |
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Veteran
Posts: 141
Location: Simi Valley, CA | Aaron, The car is Great! Makes me wish I still had my Matador! Look forward to seeing it at the Spring Fling. Well, Know you can start think about what "Fowardlook " Car you get for the Kids! HA! Or buy back the "LaFemme" for the better half!
See you at the Fling!
Ernie |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Carl, I'm glad I was able to help... and that you're working on your car. Charles is a lot of fun to be around. He is very supportive of the hobby and looks at these cars as works of art. I hope you get a chance to meet him.
Ernie, I hope to see you soon! My older one wants a newer car, but the younger one has his eyes on my Valiant convertible!
Aaron
Edited by C-300 2017-02-17 1:25 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Cincinnati | Aaron...saw the video amazing over 800 comments wow..great thread...I think I am all in on the crisp white version..though cocoa still holds a special place in my heart;)! Also great to hear your daily driver journey...how in the heck did we survive with Mom's having basically no rear view...that was my shared opinion as well..and wipers too so very real and true. I also had a reverse band failure that led to a complete rebuild by an expert in Ann Arbor and long time 300 Club Member. He was a former mechanic who had done hundreds and watched him do it in a couple of hours and then pronounced it good to go for 100,000 miles lols. Finally a simple thanks for all you work and support..keeping this incredible car in the public view..amazing job! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 496
| Bob, Thanks for the nice comments. It has been a great journey with the car and I have the most fun just using it as it was intended. Car shows are ok, but the people I talk to at shows are there to look at old cars. The conversations are more fun in the supermarket parking lot, at stop lights, and the thumbs up as I drive down the road. My kids enjoy waving at kids in other cars and marvel that people take cell phone pictures of us as we drive to lunch or Lowes. The Polara does seem to attract a lot of attention everywhere it goes.
Now that I'm off for the summer, I'll be able to take care of a few small projects. The front suspension needs to be rebuilt, the gas gauge still doesn't work, and I'm going to have a paintless dent remover do some magic on the soft dings and dents the body has accumulated over the past 57 years. Charles Phoenix is going to do another video with more detail sometime next month. The original video has 557,000 views and over 1,000 comments. Most of the comments were great, but some were nasty against Charles and some focused on my driving. Charles did it for his love of the car, I did it to share the car with people who have probably never seen one, and the reversing around that corner... I didn't know he had started filming. We was bobbing and weaving all over the place. Coming around that corner I heard him but couldn't see him. I took it wide because I was more concerned with not hitting him. Plus... it was low on fuel, so the view out the back was mostly sky and trees! Once I got it straight, he was cross-crossing behind the car. Still couldn't see him!! Then my neighbor drove up in his truck and blocked the path I had intended to go. In the end, it turned out ok... but yeah, it appears that I can't drive.
The ultimate goal was to share the car and get some attention on the forward look cars. With the number of views, we definitely got some attention!
Until my next update...
Aaron |
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Member
Posts: 34
Location: Eringsboda/Blekinge/Sweden | Beautiful car :-) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | Cool stuff, Aaron. Don't mind the poor-mouths--it seems some folks would complain if they were given pure gold.
Your story is definitely an inspiration to the rest of us here to enjoy these cars. I agree about the car shows, it seems most around here
focus on the muscle cars and new cars. But driving these beasts everyday gets you a much wider audience.
Pete |
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