NOT MINE 69 Polar 500 "Vert" Tucson AZ

[azblackhemi]

Looks like a good deal. Rare 1969 Dodge Polara 500 Convertible One of 573! - cars & trucks -...

Rare 1969 Dodge Polara 500 Convertible One of 573! - $9,800 (Catalina Foothills)​

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1969 Dodge Polara 500
fuel: gas
odometer: 53350
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: convertible
Hi,
Up for sale is my 1969 Dodge Polara 500 convertible lovingly known as Dexter the killer Dodge, as well as The Dodgesaurus... "Largest Mopar in captivity".
As it says in the posting title, it's one of only 573 Polara 500 convertibles produced in 1969, and it's an absolute blast to drive! At 18 ft 8 in long, you definitely own the road, and pulling up next to a Smartcar is pretty hilarious. This was Chrysler's C-body top of the line sports car for that year. Dexter came with the optional big block 383 4bbl with a factory rating of 330HP.
I had the car for almost 10 years out in Los Angeles (where I work) and then decided a few years ago to keep it in Tucson for when I'd come into town. We keep a few other classic cars here as well, so Dexter just hasn't gotten the love and attention he deserves, so even though I don't have to sell it, I'd like to find him a new home.
Here's all the important info... The mileage shows 53,350 and I have no idea whether that's original or not. Overall, the car is what I'd call a nice driver. That means that when you're cruising down the road it looks great, and you could easily take it to a local car show and get lots of attention, but this is by no means a concourse car, or perfect in any way.
The paint shows quite well with no chips or fading. The interior is in great shape... Pancho's upholstery did the work on it many years ago, and it's held up quite nicely. Just like everything else in the car, it could use a good cleaning... I really should've, but I didn't clean the interior, or under the hood at all before taking the pics for this post.
The convertible top has no rips or tears, but the plastic window is hazy. Besides the optional 383, the car has AT, PS, PB, power top, AC (not all there), bucket seats, console, correct Polara 500 wheel covers, and a really rare option called a Super Lite. If you look in the photos of the grill you'll see an extra light on the driver's side. Only a few cars were sold with that option before the DOT ordered Chrysler to stop selling them, believing it might blind oncoming traffic.
The car has an Edelbrock carb, aluminum intake, very hard to find C-body headers, and a really cool dual exhaust built by Justin at Leon's Exhaust. The front suspension was rebuilt less than a few hundred miles ago, along with the steering box and pump. The entire brake system has also been recently rebuilt. The automatic transmission was rebuilt when I purchased the car. I haven't done any motor work, and have no idea if it's ever been gone through.
I'll have limited time to show it to anyone interested next week, so if you'd like to see it let me know and we'll set a time! I'm more than happy to chat on the phone as well. And just to save everyone's time, yes the price is negotiable but I won't respond to any low ball offer emails without even seeing the car. If you look up the values online, I priced it very reasonably specifically so I can find it the right home.
Thanks for taking the time to look!

 

[azblackhemi]

@Gerald Morris Gerald, you need this!

 

[66l78rat]

thats a screaming deal!!!!

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Too bad the door panels are bad, I might have looked at it.

This one does need some love.


Alan

 

[MrMoparCHP]

I don't think the Super-lite or the Spring Special trim are original to this car.

It is an early build (you can tell by the wire mesh cowl cover), also there are no headrests.
There is no switch for the Super-lite.


Alan

 

[azblackhemi]

No A/C compressor.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

Presents pretty well for the price. He does say that the interior is great. Which it is not, so a guy would want to take all the descriptions with a grain of salt.

 

[Gerald Morris]

@Gerald Morris Gerald, you need this!

DAMN! That's one hell of a Dodge! Don't quite have the nickels this fine person asks for this ride, but... Were it not for my having acquired a very good 1983 Dodge RAM Miser pickup, I'd be flush for this deal! I need to show the Babushka this one, for sure. I'm trolling for a decent running B/RB to drop into the ride we have, making it easier to then build the motor I want for it. I'm running the 383 from our vert purchase into our locker early tomorrow morning, and pulling the 400 OUT for rebuilding this month.

DAMN that's a BEAUTY, and looks like an excellent car too. The wife MUST SEE, anyway.

Thanx big BIG for buzzing me on this.

 

[Gerald Morris]

No A/C compressor.

As you know me, you know that's a +, given how I'd not want AC in anything I drive under a rag. Wife hasn't seen the pix yet. DAMN! I'll HAVE to ditch Mathilda to find ROOM to park this. Not to mention raise some $$$. Were I single, I'd be on it tonight!

 

[azblackhemi]

As you know me, you know that's a +, given how I'd not want AC in anything I drive under a rag. Wife hasn't seen the pix yet. DAMN! I'll HAVE to ditch Mathilda to find ROOM to park this. Not to mention raise some $$$. Were I single, I'd be on it tonight!

If you go take a look Gerald be sure to report back! Looks like it's in the foothills going up to MT. Lemon. Can't be too far from you.

 

[69CoronetRT]

I don't think the Super-lite or the Spring Special trim are original to this car.

It is an early build (you can tell by the wire mesh cowl cover), also there are no headrests.
There is no switch for the Super-lite.


Alan

I the B body world, the wooden knob shifter, (as compared to the chrome tulip) would be a 'late' shifter meaning late in calendar year 1968 or, most likely, calendar year 1969. It is theoretically possible for a 1968 built B body car (indicated by the lack of headrests) to have that shifter knob.

Can a late 68 C body have the wooden knob shifter or would the tulip style be more appropriate?

 

[MrMoparCHP]

I the B body world, the wooden knob shifter, (as compared to the chrome tulip) would be a 'late' shifter meaning late in calendar year 1968 or, most likely, calendar year 1969. It is theoretically possible for a 1968 built B body car (indicated by the lack of headrests) to have that shifter knob.

Can a late 68 C body have the wooden knob shifter or would the tulip style be more appropriate?

The shifter knob is something I'd like to know more about as well.

My 60 Polara 500 has the wood grain one, it is an earlier build (12/68). I know the console on mine was replaced (per previous owner), it has brushed metal top not woodgrain as this one, I don't think that is an early/late thing. I will be taking a few liberties here.


Alan

 

[azblackhemi]

Around the wheel opening looks like some questionable repair.

 

[marko]

the console and carpet should be blue not black which makes me think the console has been added. the shift indicator in the dash is shiny like its clear, my 69 Monaco convert has a black plastic filler piece which could be another indication its been converted to console shift.
which is not a bad thing in my view.
if the steering column wasnt swapped for a shifterless one then there would be a shift lever nub on it.

 

[marko]

I don't think the Super-lite or the Spring Special trim are original to this car.

It is an early build (you can tell by the wire mesh cowl cover), also there are no headrests.
There is no switch for the Super-lite.


Alan

heres a pic of a 69 convertible dash panel with super-lite and 1 without

 

[Gerald Morris]

If you go take a look Gerald be sure to report back! Looks like it's in the foothills going up to MT. Lemon. Can't be too far from you.

I suppose I can go up this weekend. It's not far at all, and I know the neighborhood. Mind you, I NEED TO SWAP THE SPRINGS from Mathilda to Gertrude! Those damned leaf springs on Trudi are BOWING THE WRONG WAY NOW when the damned old Gabrielle are flat. NO SNAP LEFT, and I suspect one leaf got pulled from each in some half-witted attempt at making Gertrude a low-rider some decades back.

SO, I will swap in the nice NEW 7 LEAF springs I had made just in 2020 for Tilly, which Springs n Things custom arched +2 inches, along w the nice fresh KYB shocks I bought for them. THIS should put the rear suspension on Gertrude right for years to come. I already got fresh bushings and such for this job, and have only needed TIME to do it.

Let me email the owner and arrange for a good "Lookitthat" so I can see what's on offer. I just fear that when I get close to it, I'm gonna want to buy it, even if I have to go in hock to do so. IDK if the Shylock's WILL loan for something this age, even if so nice, and we're out of room to park it, unless I junk Mathilda, quickly. I still have plenty PARTS to strip off that one first!

Will post y'all.

 

[azblackhemi]

That switch bezel sure looks like an afterthought.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

That switch bezel sure looks like an afterthought.

Yup but factory. Both the convertibles and wagons got it, guess they didn't want to tool up another panel.


Alan

 

[MrMoparCHP]

heres a pic of a 69 convertible dash panel with super-lite and 1 without

View attachment 535349

View attachment 535353

Yup, just like mine (even the switch missing the handle)

I am looking for a convertible panel with or without the Super-lite


Alan

 

[Fratzog]

Around the wheel opening looks like some questionable repair.
View attachment 535347

This one would require a close up personal inspection for sure. Not a biggie but I always thought the boot covers on 69s should have internal hooks not snaps.