The May/June, 1994, issue of "High Performance Cars" (a "Cars
& Parts" publication) had an article on a 1961 Dodge Polara
CHP car that was restored by a CHP officer, George Caravas.
It has some good photos of the exterior and interior (including
dash and steering wheel).
This car has neither the Polara grille crossbar nor "Polara"
namplates on the front fenders. Side trim was from the Dart
Seneca station wagon. The article states the car has the Polara
D-500, 383-cid V8, putting out 320 bhp.
In the article they made the statement, ".... George discovered
that the '61 Dodge was a police special based on the 122-
inch wheelbase of the full-size Polara, but with the bodywork
of the 118-inch Dodge Dodge Dart, extended by four inches
in the rear fenders." Other than that erroneous statement,
the article is quite good.
I haven't read the book Mike Sealey mentioned, so this
Polara may very well be the same Polara shown in the book.
The December, 1999, issue of "Collectible Automobile" had
an article on the 1960-1961 Dodge. There is a page with
information on the Dodge Police Pursuits of 1960 and 1961,
along with photos of George Caravas's 1961 Polara.
"The Dodge Story", by Thomas A McPherson, has a side view
photo of a 1961 Dodge Dart police car on page 203, along
with a short caption describing the engines (from 318-cid
V8 to the 325-bhp Police Special) and models available.
As for production figures, as these cars were "trim" options,
and not separate series, I have never seen any figures
published. Chrysler Historical might be able to help there.
Bill W
Vancouver, BC
> Congrats on the new ride, Stokie! The 318 establishes
> it as a Dart-based squad; Polara squads were not in
> the catalog in '61, but the California Highway Patrol
> (who wanted a 122" wheelbase) managed to talk Dodge
> into making them a few hundred. Like the '60 CHP
> squad, which I think was a Matador, the '61 had the
> Dart grille despite being a Polara. Of course, in '61
> this was accomplished by simply leaving the Polara
> grill centerpiece off...
>
> I highly recommend the book "Plymouth, Dodge &
> Chrysler Police Cars 1956-1978" by Sanow and Bellah.
> (I might have the makes listed in the wrong order
> vis-a-vis the book title, but I know you can figure it
> out.) There are some great pics of a restored CHP '61,
> and indepth coverage of the restoration of a CHP '63
> Dodge 880.
>
> Mike Sealey, San Francisco CA
> '57 Plymouth Sport Suburban
> (not a squad, but solid black... except for the
> rust...)
>
> --- CStodolka@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> > hi, yesterday i picked up the car, i used a wheel
> > puller on both the front and rear, not much
> > damage this way and a lot easier than pounding,
> > what an ugly car but very neat, needs a lot of
> > work. It had 2 spotlights, lights on the roof,
> > and a siren on the right front fender, i already
> > found a vintage radio setup for it and may be
> > able to get the office radio also. i'm going to
> > put an ad in the local paper to see if i can get
> > any info, pictures, and the original equipment for
> > it. the front doors were white and the rest of
> > the car was black, it has the 318 ci. 4 barrel
> > engine with auto. larger brakes , grey vinl
> > seats, the speedometer has certified written
> > on it which really helps in determining it as a
> > police car. i had a chance to buy this car in
> > 1968, i should have but i thought it was to new.
> > anyone with information on these police cars
> > such as production, let me know stokie
>
>
>
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