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1961 Dodge Polara Convertible Restoration Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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PolaraPaul |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 335 Location: California/Wisconsin | I thought I would share some pictures of the Dodge now home from the restoration shop. It was a tough one to find...had a lead in about 2000 and ended up with that very car ten years later. It was listed in the Harrisburg newspaper on a trip to Hershey in October, 2010. There are only a handful of the 512 made still in existence. Sean Machado had a picture of this car with an '80s restoration at the WPC meet back then. Small world. Chrysler Historical confirms it was sold new in Sacramento at John Drew Motors. Notice the license plate frame, obtained from Big M several years ago. I had it on the '61 Polara wagon, also sold there. The car was white with red interior and pretty standard in equipment. I added power windows and door locks, rear antenna, bumper guards front and back, and air conditioning. I changed the color to black. The red vinyl interior is unique to Dodge that year, as it is antiqued and one year only. Door panels have heat pressing and were made by SMS. Cloth interior was not an option in 1961 on the convertible, and it was tempting to do as the fabric is fun that year. As shown, the car underwent a rotisserie restoration and really had quite a solid body. (006 (Small).JPG) (La femme 61 Dodge 011 (Small).JPG) (61 Polara 2-7-13 001 (Small).JPG) (HPIM1326 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1739 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1740 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1728 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1730 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1729 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1731 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1723 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1725 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1753 (Small).JPG) (DSCN1743 (Small).JPG) Attachments ---------------- 006 (Small).JPG (85KB - 303 downloads) La femme 61 Dodge 011 (Small).JPG (71KB - 785 downloads) 61 Polara 2-7-13 001 (Small).JPG (79KB - 351 downloads) HPIM1326 (Small).JPG (79KB - 318 downloads) DSCN1739 (Small).JPG (106KB - 362 downloads) DSCN1740 (Small).JPG (115KB - 318 downloads) DSCN1728 (Small).JPG (109KB - 317 downloads) DSCN1730 (Small).JPG (132KB - 320 downloads) DSCN1729 (Small).JPG (120KB - 320 downloads) DSCN1731 (Small).JPG (107KB - 330 downloads) DSCN1723 (Small).JPG (107KB - 330 downloads) DSCN1725 (Small).JPG (112KB - 324 downloads) DSCN1753 (Small).JPG (116KB - 315 downloads) DSCN1743 (Small).JPG (112KB - 340 downloads) | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | All I can say is WOW!! I wouldn't have even broken stride to check out the white one. But you have , in my opinion, accomplished mission impossible. That is drop dead gorgeous!! Power windows and "factory A/C", fabulous!! Well done. You must be very pleased! Greg | ||
imopar380 |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7205 Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Outstanding!!! LOVE IT. Is it missing the aluminum seat shields or were they not offered on the 61 Polara? I have part of a set lying around but need completely restored. | ||
polara61 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 417 Location: Bräcke,Sweden | Very beautiful. Personally I would have left it white, but I'm biased since My car is white. 361 or 383 engine ? Have you restored the grillemblem yourself ? | ||
1961plymouthfury |
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Expert Posts: 2631 Location: Minor Hill, TN | Very nice | ||
60 Imp |
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Location: North Australia | The car is a credit to you. Well done making it what it is. Steve. | ||
PolaraPaul |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 335 Location: California/Wisconsin | Thanks for the nice comments. The engine is a 361 bored out to 383 during rebuild. Original grill emblem is restored. No one is re-popping the plastic insert to my knowledge. Dodge did not have aluminum seat trim in 1961. | ||
wizard |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13042 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Really a sweet ride - well performed work! | ||
61forfun |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 466 Location: Vancouver, Washington | Gorgeous car, impeccable work. Love the color combo. I added power windows to my 61 pioneer and finally installed my 413 upgrade. Love 61s. So darn odd | ||
1961plymouthfury |
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Expert Posts: 2631 Location: Minor Hill, TN | I also wanted to comment that the car would also look really good the color black with a white convertible top | ||
The Chrysler Kid |
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Expert Posts: 1384 Location: Ocala, Florida | Looks great! | ||
JT Vincent |
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Expert Posts: 1493 Location: Jamaica Plain, MA | Beauty! | ||
1958firemite |
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Regular Posts: 66 Location: Washington,DC | Nice job Polarapaul. Do you have picture of your 1961 Polara wagon. | ||
fenix |
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Expert Posts: 2119 Location: atlanta | Nice car, but not unique enough, I musta passed 3 or 4 of those verts on the way to Wal-Mart this afternoon. :-0 Stunning car, congrats. | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | That black really makes that Vert stand out. All of Virgil's cars have there own character. Thats great that this car survived a time when people turned there back on the FL cars. | ||
PolaraPaul |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 335 Location: California/Wisconsin | This is my 1961 Dodge Polara Wagon. It was sold at the same Dealership as the Convertible. John Drew Motors Sacramento, CA (Pictures of all our cars 034 (Medium).JPG) (023 (Medium).JPG) (Pictures of all our cars 033 (Medium).JPG) Attachments ---------------- Pictures of all our cars 034 (Medium).JPG (221KB - 331 downloads) 023 (Medium).JPG (142KB - 314 downloads) Pictures of all our cars 033 (Medium).JPG (240KB - 317 downloads) | ||
1958firemite |
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Regular Posts: 66 Location: Washington,DC | That wagon is super cool. Thanks for the picture. | ||
Mike McCandless |
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Expert Posts: 1886 | Love the cars. Doubt you will ever part with the wagon, but I love it. Nice to see someone do it there way and not get too much lip about it from the original guys. | ||
1958firemite |
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Regular Posts: 66 Location: Washington,DC | Hey could you shoot some interior of the wagon picture. Much Thanks Edited by 1958firemite 2014-08-14 8:33 PM | ||
WDJ40 |
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Member Posts: 30 Location: Mystic, Connecticut | I just found this thread. Wonderful cars, beautiful work and really gorgeous interior and exterior color combinations. Edited by WDJ40 2014-08-15 11:44 PM | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | VERY nice, PolaraPaul! | ||
PolaraPaul |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 335 Location: California/Wisconsin | Just had a correct roof rack put on. (IMG_1341 (Medium).JPG) (IMG_1342 (Medium).JPG) Attachments ---------------- IMG_1341 (Medium).JPG (182KB - 289 downloads) IMG_1342 (Medium).JPG (176KB - 274 downloads) | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | It doesn't get much more Exner than this!!! Greeeeeeat pair that you have there. | ||
Windsor59 |
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Expert Posts: 2596 Location: Upplands Väsby, Sweden | Wow super nice renovatiing at your Polara 61 conv. | ||
57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3966 Location: DFW, TX | Paul, were you aware that Goodyear had an ad campaign in '61-62 that had several cars wearing translucent, illuminated tires? One of the vehicles they featured was a .... white '61 Polara convertible. Here is some info on the HAMB: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-mystery-of-the-illum... And the photos I've found: Edited by 57burb 2016-10-17 3:40 PM | ||
PolaraPaul |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 335 Location: California/Wisconsin | That cool. | ||
RUSTORICHES |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 494 Location: Alberta | Great collection and workmanship on the restoration. I don't suppose Virgil Exner ever imaged a following such as this forum while designing these cars. Oldwood's comment of it doesn't get much more XNER than this inspired me to go searching and researching Virgil's history again to refresh my memory and I came across this article on the Corvette Killer here's one of the links http://www.motortrend.com/news/one-off-corvette-fighting-1960-plymo... I hope it works for you guys I've never seen it before Hope you all enjoy (VirgilExner_02_2000-700x547.jpg) Attachments ---------------- VirgilExner_02_2000-700x547.jpg (89KB - 242 downloads) | ||
Viper Guy |
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Expert Posts: 2002 Location: Branson, MO | Cool! Would love to have the car - would even give up my DeSoto for it. | ||
PolaraPaul |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 335 Location: California/Wisconsin | My 1956 D500 Dodge La Femme is in background. This was at the Concours de Elegance at St John, in Plymouth, Michigan in 2014. The La Femme received a trophy for the Best Use of Color at the show and it included Virgil Exner Jr. as a judge for the Forward Look cars displayed. Edited by PolaraPaul 2016-12-11 10:43 AM (1-29-15 ALL PHOTOS 1003 (Medium).JPG) (1-29-15 ALL PHOTOS 1004 (Medium).JPG) (1-29-15 ALL PHOTOS 1005 (Medium).JPG) Attachments ---------------- 1-29-15 ALL PHOTOS 1003 (Medium).JPG (192KB - 267 downloads) 1-29-15 ALL PHOTOS 1004 (Medium).JPG (195KB - 263 downloads) 1-29-15 ALL PHOTOS 1005 (Medium).JPG (192KB - 251 downloads) | ||
1958firemite |
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Regular Posts: 66 Location: Washington,DC | Thanks | ||
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