The basic American convertible is probably not the highest collectible in our continent, however it ought to be. Large American barges eat up highways whereas carrying the entire tribe with aplomb. Nevertheless, most of them featured run-of-the-mill engines missing the horsepower to run laborious, however not our Choose of the Day, a 1968 Dodge Polara convertible. It’s listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in New Braunfels, Texas. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)
The Polara identify was first launched in 1960, turning into the top-of-the-line Dodge. In 1962, the Polara 500, a buckets-and-console mannequin obtainable as a hardtop and convertible, was launched, pushing the Polara down a notch however however serving the identical position as a high trim stage with a number of physique kinds obtainable. However this was the “downsized” Dodge, and the Customized 880 was created midyear as a senior Dodge to placate the vendor community and the car-buying public.
In 1965, the all-new full-size C-body was launched. On the high was a brand new coupe referred to as the Monaco, created to compete with the Pontiac Grand Prix. The Customized 880 then grew to become the highest mainstream full-size Dodge, leaving the Polara on the backside. However, keep in mind, this was Dodge and never Plymouth, so customary V8s have been a part of the equation, on this case the 383 two-barrel V8.
For 1967, Dodge C-bodies have been restyled in time for the Dodge Insurrection. By then, Monaco had changed the Customized 880 as probably the most luxurious of the mainstream large Dodges, with the Monaco 500 enjoying the position of the sporty personal-luxury coupe. The Polara continued to play the bread-and-butter position, with the Polara 500 nonetheless that includes bucket seats and the no-cost possibility of a console. There additionally was a brand new, cheaper Polara 318 that will ultimately develop into the usual Polara for 1968, although the engine was redesigned.
Although it might be straightforward to assume that large automobiles typically had highly effective engines, that’s merely not the case. Probably the most highly effective engine generally present in Polaras appears to be the 383 four-barrel, with most being the 318 and 383 two-barrel. Discovering a 440 Magnum — the identical engine discovered within the Coronet R/T and Charger R/T, is kind of uncommon, particularly in a convertible. That’s what makes this 1968 Polara convertible stand out, and it’s 100% legit per the VIN and fender tag. Complementing the white hue are Magnum 500 wheels, which have been a reliable possibility for this automotive. Take a peek inside and also you’re greeted by “an opulent inside through deep black vinyl bench seats in the back and front that sit properly with matching door panels, carpet and sprint,” per the vendor. That’s actually no lie because the convertible’s inside was extra upscale than different Polaras. “A two-spoke steering wheel sits forward of a 120-mph speedometer and manufacturing facility auxiliary gauges that embody a gasoline gauge, water temperature, battery cost and oil strain.”
With the odometer displaying 75,000 miles on the clock, this large American cruiser nonetheless has sufficient life in it to tackle each freeway you throw at it. Thumbs up come up as typically as a Hemi-something, so why mortgage your home for that elephant when you possibly can have a whale for $29,000?
To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Choose of the Day.