1966 Polara 500 The Black Car

LocuMob

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Here is my 1966 Polara 500. It's a California car that I picked up in Oregon. Needs a little work, but not too much, and I have some of the parts from previous parts gathering.

00k0k_jXSQeESjPDR_1200x900.jpg


It needs a windshield, as seen above. It has a rebuilt 383 that has yet to be fired. I need to put some exhaust manifolds on so I can order up an exhaust system, leaning towards a 2.5" tti kit, I have the 3" on my other polara and I like it. Some other bits for the engine and I can fire it up and break it in, hopefully in mid to late March.

00Y0Y_eFHJkqyhdPA_1200x900.jpg


The interior is complete and has the funky carpet insert on the bucket seats. I thought it was a recover from some time back, but found out it came that way. I keep learning more about these cars every day. They hacked up the console for an aftermarket A/C unit. That will be going away and a replacement console body will go in. There is some minor damage to some trim on the driver's seat, a lens is broken on the console, needs the door lock knobs, and I'm sure some other little issues, which I should have parts laying around. (It helps to keep anything that might be useful off those parts cars!) I'll might swap out the door panels with my old ones, I don't think I'll use the radio, but who knows, and I don't like the speakers in the doors, just doesn't look right (thanks FCBO for turning me ever so slightly to the purists side).

00s0s_9CwwLFWmrza_1200x900.jpg


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Odometer reads 21,453 and the body looks like that's an accurate number. The rear seat is in need of recovering, and the dash pad is cracked, which I have a spare.

00606_jRnade8sFaQ_1200x900.jpg


The body is pretty solid, but the hood and driver's fender have been replaced along the way. The car is originally YY1 Bronze Poly, but the underside of the hood is a dark blue, and the fender came off a regular Polara, it's missing the mounting holes for the 500 medallion. That would explain the Black primer that was, brushed on! It's crap on the roof, so I'll have to address that sometime soon.

It will need some wheels and tires, I'm not keeping 14" Unilug rims on it for any longer than absolutely necessary. I've got a couple choices in mind, I'll keep it looking old school cool, nothing too radical, no 20's for me. I will.also.be taking out the air shocks it has in the rear. Discovered that when putting the car on the trailer.

So a few things to work on before I can fire it up and take it for a drive, but I got the car with time to aquire the parts, and install them before my self imposed deadline of late May for a road test. I hope to have this and my other Polara in Farmington MN June 2nd for the Mopars in the Park car show, and then down in Volo IL three weeks later. I really want this to be able to hop in and drive anywhere. I think it has road gears, and I'll probably keep them, and go for mileage for a while. I still have to go over the car, I've only looked at the parts in the trunk, and under the rear seat for the broadcast sheet, to no avail. Sunday I can check it out a little further, and maybe finalize the first draft of my parts list.

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I got it titled in my name yesterday it's mine for sure! I'll get a collector plate next year and save $125.

IMG_20180221_084340~2.jpg


I'll rock the California black plate up front til someone tells me I can't.
 
Here is my 1966 Polara 500. It's a California car that I picked up in Oregon. Needs a little work, but not too much, and I have some of the parts from previous parts gathering.

View attachment 169797

It needs a windshield, as seen above. It has a rebuilt 383 that has yet to be fired. I need to put some exhaust manifolds on so I can order up an exhaust system, leaning towards a 2.5" tti kit, I have the 3" on my other polara and I like it. Some other bits for the engine and I can fire it up and break it in, hopefully in mid to late March.

View attachment 169798

The interior is complete and has the funky carpet insert on the bucket seats. I thought it was a recover from some time back, but found out it came that way. I keep learning more about these cars every day. They hacked up the console for an aftermarket A/C unit. That will be going away and a replacement console body will go in. There is some minor damage to some trim on the driver's seat, a lens is broken on the console, needs the door lock knobs, and I'm sure some other little issues, which I should have parts laying around. (It helps to keep anything that might be useful off those parts cars!) I'll might swap out the door panels with my old ones, I don't think I'll use the radio, but who knows, and I don't like the speakers in the doors, just doesn't look right (thanks FCBO for turning me ever so slightly to the purists side).

View attachment 169800

View attachment 169801

Odometer reads 21,453 and the body looks like that's an accurate number. The rear seat is in need of recovering, and the dash pad is cracked, which I have a spare.

View attachment 169802

The body is pretty solid, but the hood and driver's fender have been replaced along the way. The car is originally YY1 Bronze Poly, but the underside of the hood is a dark blue, and the fender came off a regular Polara, it's missing the mounting holes for the 500 medallion. That would explain the Black primer that was, brushed on! It's crap on the roof, so I'll have to address that sometime soon.

It will need some wheels and tires, I'm not keeping 14" Unilug rims on it for any longer than absolutely necessary. I've got a couple choices in mind, I'll keep it looking old school cool, nothing too radical, no 20's for me. I will.also.be taking out the air shocks it has in the rear. Discovered that when putting the car on the trailer.

So a few things to work on before I can fire it up and take it for a drive, but I got the car with time to aquire the parts, and install them before my self imposed deadline of late May for a road test. I hope to have this and my other Polara in Farmington MN June 2nd for the Mopars in the Park car show, and then down in Volo IL three weeks later. I really want this to be able to hop in and drive anywhere. I think it has road gears, and I'll probably keep them, and go for mileage for a while. I still have to go over the car, I've only looked at the parts in the trunk, and under the rear seat for the broadcast sheet, to no avail. Sunday I can check it out a little further, and maybe finalize the first draft of my parts list.

View attachment 169804

View attachment 169806

View attachment 169808

View attachment 169810

View attachment 169811

Very impressed with yer Dodge. That trunk floor is just about the cleanest I've seen in a C-Body. And yer right: That knee knocker A/C has gotta go. Do you know anything about the engine? Stock or modified, etc. That original Bronze Poly paint color is an outstanding color too. I bet that car was a real looker.
 
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Here is my 1966 Polara 500. It's a California car that I picked up in Oregon. Needs a little work, but not too much, and I have some of the parts from previous parts gathering.

View attachment 169797

It needs a windshield, as seen above. It has a rebuilt 383 that has yet to be fired. I need to put some exhaust manifolds on so I can order up an exhaust system, leaning towards a 2.5" tti kit, I have the 3" on my other polara and I like it. Some other bits for the engine and I can fire it up and break it in, hopefully in mid to late March.

View attachment 169798

The interior is complete and has the funky carpet insert on the bucket seats. I thought it was a recover from some time back, but found out it came that way. I keep learning more about these cars every day. They hacked up the console for an aftermarket A/C unit. That will be going away and a replacement console body will go in. There is some minor damage to some trim on the driver's seat, a lens is broken on the console, needs the door lock knobs, and I'm sure some other little issues, which I should have parts laying around. (It helps to keep anything that might be useful off those parts cars!) I'll might swap out the door panels with my old ones, I don't think I'll use the radio, but who knows, and I don't like the speakers in the doors, just doesn't look right (thanks FCBO for turning me ever so slightly to the purists side).

View attachment 169800

View attachment 169801

Odometer reads 21,453 and the body looks like that's an accurate number. The rear seat is in need of recovering, and the dash pad is cracked, which I have a spare.

View attachment 169802

The body is pretty solid, but the hood and driver's fender have been replaced along the way. The car is originally YY1 Bronze Poly, but the underside of the hood is a dark blue, and the fender came off a regular Polara, it's missing the mounting holes for the 500 medallion. That would explain the Black primer that was, brushed on! It's crap on the roof, so I'll have to address that sometime soon.

It will need some wheels and tires, I'm not keeping 14" Unilug rims on it for any longer than absolutely necessary. I've got a couple choices in mind, I'll keep it looking old school cool, nothing too radical, no 20's for me. I will.also.be taking out the air shocks it has in the rear. Discovered that when putting the car on the trailer.

So a few things to work on before I can fire it up and take it for a drive, but I got the car with time to aquire the parts, and install them before my self imposed deadline of late May for a road test. I hope to have this and my other Polara in Farmington MN June 2nd for the Mopars in the Park car show, and then down in Volo IL three weeks later. I really want this to be able to hop in and drive anywhere. I think it has road gears, and I'll probably keep them, and go for mileage for a while. I still have to go over the car, I've only looked at the parts in the trunk, and under the rear seat for the broadcast sheet, to no avail. Sunday I can check it out a little further, and maybe finalize the first draft of my parts list.

View attachment 169804

View attachment 169806

View attachment 169808

View attachment 169810

View attachment 169811

Did a decode of yer fender tag:

Production date December 28, 1965
Shipping order 11073
Car line DODGE Polara/Monaco
Price class Low
Body type 2 door hardtop
Trim Grade Low [32L]
Seat type Bucket vinyl [335]
Trim color Black [34X]
Paint 1 Bronze metallic [27Y]
Paint 2 Bronze metallic [28Y]
Paint scheme Mono tone paint [291]
Upper door frame paint (UNKNOWN)
Engine 383 4bbl HP 8cyl 325hp B [376/382]
Transmission Transmission-Torqueflite automatic [395]
Radio Radio-AM Music Master/economy 2 W [421]
Bucket seat accessories Carpets [485]
Front bucket seats Bucket seats [564]
Mirrors Mirror-outside LH remote [536]
-OR- Moulding-bumper reveal [546]





[Joseph Gabrey, DodgeCharger.org
 
Did a decode of yer fender tag:

Production date December 28, 1965
Shipping order 11073
Car line DODGE Polara/Monaco
Price class Low
Body type 2 door hardtop
Trim Grade Low [32L]
Seat type Bucket vinyl [335]
Trim color Black [34X]
Paint 1 Bronze metallic [27Y]
Paint 2 Bronze metallic [28Y]
Paint scheme Mono tone paint [291]
Upper door frame paint (UNKNOWN)
Engine 383 4bbl HP 8cyl 325hp B [376/382]
Transmission Transmission-Torqueflite automatic [395]
Radio Radio-AM Music Master/economy 2 W [421]
Bucket seat accessories Carpets [485]
Front bucket seats Bucket seats [564]
Mirrors Mirror-outside LH remote [536]
-OR- Moulding-bumper reveal [546]





[Joseph Gabrey, DodgeCharger.org
I had @carrman go look at the car so I had verification of its condition. He just text me "This things solid, buy it!" He sent the fender tag and I plugged it in right away! Love knowing how the car was equipped.
 
Looks like you have a great start there. You must be my brother from another mother, we have the same first name and I see from your title paperwork we also share the same middle name.
 
Looks like you have a great start there. You must be my brother from another mother, we have the same first name and I see from your title paperwork we also share the same middle name.
Now that my super secret superhero cover is blown... Mild mannered factory worker by night, he becomes a Mopar fruitloop during the day!
 
Looks great. I believe I will have to drive down to Farmington early July to check your cars and Mopars in the Park. I’ll just have to be a spectator as I don’t think mine will be back together by then. By the way even if you are not fond of those wheels, that style has been my favorite since I was a little kid.
 
Looks great. I believe I will have to drive down to Farmington early July to check your cars and Mopars in the Park. I’ll just have to be a spectator as I don’t think mine will be back together by then. By the way even if you are not fond of those wheels, that style has been my favorite since I was a little kid.
That would be great to see you at Farmington! As for the wheels, I like the Cragar's, just not the unilug or 14" part, I can get 15" tires in a wider range of sizes. I'll be selling them very soon!
 
I had @carrman go look at the car so I had verification of its condition. He just text me "This things solid, buy it!" He sent the fender tag and I plugged it in right away! Love knowing how the car was equipped.
Happy to do this for anyone here wanting to buy a C near me. If you cover gas, I travel elsewhere in Oregon for ya! I've done this for azblackhemi and took possession of the car until he could get a carrier to come get it! Best $1500 '68 300 two door you ever saw!
 
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