1961 Dodge Phoenix

[saforwardlook]

I’ve always loved these cars. I believe the Dart came in three levels, Pioneer, Seneca, and Phoenix. The Polara was separate model although it looked almost identical to the Phoenix but had the different tail lights. Oddly, all wagons Dart or Polara had the Polara tail lights.

My mother had a Dart ? back in the day, sadly no pictures. Wish I had that car now.

I read somewhere that the optional brake lights on the Dart were all dealer installed because the Dart taillights were so small. I don’t remember if the article said they were a recall or simply a late model year option because of complaints. View attachment 115501View attachment 115502

Does anyone else have any info on this? Just curious.

A friend of mine that I was visiting this last week and who has millions of $$ of old NOS parts actually brought that issue up when I saw a set of those assemblies on his shelf. He indicated they were part of a recall bulletin to improve the visibility of the brake lights given the low placement on the Darts and the smallness of the original lamps. Like today, though, how many owners really took the time to worry about it and have the retrofit done? I personally thought they were ugly add ons. And I really don't like the Dart rear ends in the original form either. But the Polara models were striking by contrast to my eyes and really made the reverse fin work.

As an aside, the owner of all these parts really needs someone with the time, knowledge and willingness to help him market and sell all his parts, which date back into the 30s and up and cover mostly Mopar and also a high number of GM and Ford products. He fears they will all get bulldozed when he is gone and he isn't so young anymore either. It set me back when I toured his warehouses this past week. Time doesn't wait for anyone........................

 

[polara71]

Cool story ...

 

[bluefury361]

[QUOTE="saforwardlook,
the owner of all these parts really needs someone with the time, knowledge and willingness to help him market and sell all his parts.QUOTE]

This would be a project I would love to get involved in, just to far to commute.

 

[kmccabe56]

I’ve always loved these cars. I believe the Dart came in three levels, Pioneer, Seneca, and Phoenix. The Polara was separate model although it looked almost identical to the Phoenix but had the different tail lights. Oddly, all wagons Dart or Polara had the Polara tail lights.

My mother had a Dart ? back in the day, sadly no pictures. Wish I had that car now.

I read somewhere that the optional brake lights on the Dart were all dealer installed because the Dart taillights were so small. I don’t remember if the article said they were a recall or simply a late model year option because of complaints. View attachment 115501View attachment 115502

Does anyone else have any info on this? Just curious.

Those extra tail lights were called (ready?) Upper Inner Taillights. They were a late necessity because some states decided at the last minute that the existing tail lights down at the bumper were less than their minimum size requirement in square inches. I believe they were made optional in the jurisdictions that didn't mandate them.

Can't say for sure if the tail lights were all dealer installed. No doubt some of them were when owners found out they could get them. But I believe in the states that mandated them, they were installed on the line.

 

[Golden Banana]

I've a black 61 Polara too, I can't tell you how great it is to see another one, there was a really nice one in texas on eBay back around 201, it was up to $7000 and it's auction was pulled!.....Maybe it went North? It was straight as a dye!

 

[Golden Banana]

......2010

 

[Golden Banana]

A friend of mine that I was visiting this last week and who has millions of $$ of old NOS parts actually brought that issue up when I saw a set of those assemblies on his shelf. He indicated they were part of a recall bulletin to improve the visibility of the brake lights given the low placement on the Darts and the smallness of the original lamps. Like today, though, how many owners really took the time to worry about it and have the retrofit done? I personally thought they were ugly add ons. And I really don't like the Dart rear ends in the original form either. But the Polara models were striking by contrast to my eyes and really made the reverse fin work.

As an aside, the owner of all these parts really needs someone with the time, knowledge and willingness to help him market and sell all his parts, which date back into the 30s and up and cover mostly Mopar and also a high number of GM and Ford products. He fears they will all get bulldozed when he is gone and he isn't so young anymore either. It set me back when I toured his warehouses this past week. Time doesn't wait for anyone........................

If there's a chance he might sell some parts I could use some for my restored on my 61 Polara! ???

 

[Paul Amato]

ANYONE Interested in a 4 Door Sedan Found one on Craigslist for $2200With 49K.Orig.miles V8 pushbutton Auto.Real Nice Erie Pennsylvania Craigslisting Take Care Paul-SUPERCAR-Amato