Lets Play A Game: Last Of The Convertibles

[polara71]

Nice! I kind of was, but I thought you had said that it was somewhat up in the air. I'm glad you guys got moved, I'll miss seeing you guys at Carlisle though. More parts for me! Sorry for the highjack.

It WAS in the air. Buyers demands and a weak real estate agent made things unstable.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

So how rare is a 1969 Polara 500 convertible with a HP440? we know there were about 573 total all engines.
I have one, do we know of another?

There were actually less 1970 Polara convertibles than in 69. In 69 there were 573 500s and 922 Base, 1495 total where there were only 842 total in 1970

Across the board in 1969 there were 1495 Dodge, 4102 Chrysler and 5162 Plymouth, 10759 total
In 1970 there were 842 Dodge, 2201 Chrysler and 1952 Plymouth, 4995 total, big difference.


Alan

 

[polara71]

So how rare is a 1969 Polara 500 convertible with a HP440? we know there were about 573 total all engines.
I have one, do we know of another?

There were actually less 1970 Polara convertibles than in 69. In 69 there were 573 500s and 922 Base, 1495 total where there were only 842 total in 1970

Across the board in 1969 there were 1495 Dodge, 4102 Chrysler and 5162 Plymouth, 10759 total
In 1970 there were 842 Dodge, 2201 Chrysler and 1952 Plymouth, 4995 total, big difference.


Alan

Obviously quite rare. I presume Kevin McCabe or Bill Watson would be able to help with the numbers.

We have a member here with at least two 69 Polara 500 convertibles with the 440HP AND at least two 440 70 Polara convertibles. He hasn't been around in quite a while.

The decline in convertible numbers is interesting. I've always been fascinated by the dramatic drop in sales/interest in the convertible.

Three big notable differences between 69 & 70 Polara is the lack of the 440 hp in 70. The lack of white interior cars in 70, 69 had plenty. The lack of superlite cars in 70. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a 69 superlite car.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Years ago I got a very detailed list of 67 Barracuda production numbers from Bill Watson, I emailed him recently and it came back not deliverable, his box here is full.

Total C production in 69 was about 570259 about 1.89% being convertibles, in 1970 total production was about 502371 with about 0.99% being convertibles.


Alan

 

[polara71]

Bill and Kevin were the fellows who confirmed 1970 Polara convertible production.
I presume both leave their inbox full on purpose.
As soon as they enter a conversation with production insight every person on the board wants to know about their favorite car. I've seen people join a site just to ask them on production numbers.

 

[69CoronetRT]

The decline in convertible numbers is interesting. I've always been fascinated by the dramatic drop in sales/interest in the convertible.

The same thing applies to A and B bodies.
In 69, you could still get an A body convertible. The body style was dropped for 70.
The GTX convertible was cut for the 1970 model year but Satellite and RR convertible remained.
Dodge still offered the Coronet 500 and R/T convertible for 1970 but the production numbers really decline.

I think you'd find the same drop in the sales of convertibles at GM and Ford.

 

[polara71]

The same thing applies to A and B bodies.
In 69, you could still get an A body convertible. The body style was dropped for 70.
The GTX convertible was cut for the 1970 model year but Satellite and RR convertible remained.
Dodge still offered the Coronet 500 and R/T convertible for 1970 but the production numbers really decline.

I think you'd find the same drop in the sales of convertibles at GM and Ford.

Agreed! At an early age I was fascinated to learn of the drop..


I believe
AMC 1968
Chrysler 1971
Ford 1973
GM 1976.

The production numbers got crazy low. Why? Was it all Nader? I can't believe that.

 

[ayilar]

Thanks to @T-revorNobody and @71Polara383 for telling us about DL27T0D117383 -- one more T-code Polara 'vert that has survived! This EF8 ragtop is for sale in Kentucky, and its tag is here. The SBD is Sept. 6, 1969.

 

[polara71]

Really remarkable how many T codes still exist.

 

[ayilar]

CM27T0C142427 was listed for sale in Hamburg, NY back in 2018. This loaded burgundy 300 'vert was discussed here, but no fender tag was posted. Way more photos are here.

 

[Carona]

Years ago I got a very detailed list of 67 Barracuda production numbers from Bill Watson, I emailed him recently and it came back not deliverable, his box here is full.

Total C production in 69 was about 570259 about 1.89% being convertibles, in 1970 total production was about 502371 with about 0.99% being convertibles.


Alan

I guess that makes me a One Percenter!

 

[ayilar]

I guess that makes me a One Percenter!

CM27T0C201238 is one of 1,077 Chrysler 300 'verts

300 models produced in 1970

10,084 2-door hardtop
1,077 convertible
9,846 4-door hardtop​

 

[ayilar]

Thanks to @T-revorNobody for finding CE27L0C112632 and to @cuda hunter for posting its tag. This low-option ER6 red Newport 'vert with black bench and top recently sold near Lansing, MI.

The only options on the tag are R13 radio and B51 power drum brakes, and the L31 fender signal repeaters. The SBD was Sept. 4, 1969. Nice color combo, but the car is unfortunately quite rusty.

 

[polara71]

Thanks to @T-revorNobody for finding CE27L0C112632 and to @cuda hunter for posting its tag. This low-option ER6 red Newport 'vert with black bench and top recently sold near Lansing, MI.

The only options on there tag are R13 radio and B51 power drum brakes, and the L31 fender signal repeaters. The SBD was Sept. 4, 1969. Nice color combo, but the car is unfortunately quite rusty.
View attachment 468706

It has been my experience that the Jefferson tags are light on codes. Unlike the Dodge/Plymouth tags of Belvidere, Newark and Windsor.

 

[69CoronetRT]

It has been my experience that the Jefferson tags are light on codes. Unlike the Dodge/Plymouth tags of Belvidere, Newark and Windsor.

Jefferson, as well as Lynch Road, use different coding philosophies and execution than the other plants leading to fewer codes on a tag.

 

[ayilar]

Thanks to @cuda hunter we have the tag of PM27L0D257290 -- a Y2 yellow Fury iii with M4XA black bench interior, V5X black moulding inserts, and black top. The car is currently for sale in Myrtle Creek, OR.

 

[67valiant 100]

Today the Chrysler turned 51 (701)!!

Treated it to a new parade boot. Also made a few detail improvements under the hood. Swapped out the 440HP exhaust manifold for a more correct 383HP unit. Even got some black heat stove ducting to finish that off. Installed a new battery with one of those OE appearing toppers. Installed a nice solid original washer bottle to replace the ugly overflow tank that had resided in its spot for years. Need to reseal the trans pan & it should be ready for Carlisle.

 

[SportFury70]

Today the Chrysler turned 51 (701)!!
Need to reseal the trans pan & it should be ready for Carlisle.

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Happy Birthday to your Chrysler! So both this and the GT will be going to Carlisle? Damn your a real busy guy Charles getting 2 cars ready!

 

[67valiant 100]

Happy Birthday to your Chrysler! So both this and the GT will be going to Carlisle? Damn your a real busy guy Charles getting 2 cars ready!

Haha, that is the goal. Still a lot of work to be done on the GT though.

 

[ayilar]

CM27T0C151049 was recently acquired by @Fireguyfire — who posted the tag here. The SBD of this EF8 green / tan M6T5 buckets / V3W white top 300 ‘vert and some nice other options (power windows and seats, rimblow tilt wheel) was October 25, 1969. The original C21 buddy seat has been replaced by a console.