1964 500 Manual

1964 Dodge Polara 500 Description

Back in the early '60s, you could buy a turn-key racecar from your local Dodge dealer, and it would look a lot like this 1964 Dodge Polara 500 hardtop. Of course, the full-race machines were incredibly rare, but the guys who knew their hardware also knew that when they saw a car that looked like this industrial-strength Mopar, they should probably steer well clear of it lest they get badly hurt. Make no mistake, this no-nonsense Polara carries what appears to be its original 426 "Street Wedge" engine, a more user-friendly version of the full-race piece. It also offers the same bare-knuckle street fighter look that screams high performance in a very low-key way. The bodywork is super straight, almost like it rolled out of the factory just a few years ago, and it shows off the work of guys who knew their stuff. They didn't have to work very hard since this was a clean, dry car with no major issues to handle. It has been refinished in its original code P Ruby Red, so maybe it's not designed to be subtle, but even in red, most guys won't know what's coming until it's too late. Chrysler's turbine look was in fashion in 1964, and they retained all the chrome and stainless trim on this one to enhance the sleeper look. To guys who know what they're looking at, this car is gorgeous. As for everyone else, well, don't say we didn't warn you. Just because it was built to pound the pavement doesn't mean it wasn't also comfortable and stylish inside. With big-car comfort and sporty twin buckets flanking a stock center console, it balances just the right amount of flash with no-nonsense attitude. The interior is in excellent condition, with nice seat covers, plush carpets, and a surprisingly well-preserved dash pad. The gauges are original and in good condition, and they're joined by a vintage tach on the steering column, supplanting the original one in the console, which sadly isn't working. Yes, that's a Hurst 4-speed in the center console, which really emphasizes the no-nonsense vibe of this Polara, and the wheel has a leather wrap to make it easy to grab. For effect, it retains the original AM radio (it doesn't work and you won't miss it), and there's even a full-sized spare in the well-detailed trunk to help with ballast. The engine is the car's original 426 cubic inch "Street Wedge" V8. Not related to the Hemi, it nevertheless was one of the most feared powerplants on the streets in the early days of the horsepower wars. It's largely stock save for an Edelbrock carburetor, and they obviously went out of their way to make it look as stock as possible. That means a stock air cleaner, stamped valve covers, Hemi Orange paint on the block, and those wild exhaust manifolds that just barely clear the shock towers. A 2.5-inch exhaust system is equipped with aggressive mufflers, and you'd better believe this sucker sounds nasty. The aforementioned 4-speed manual gearbox feeds the stock rear end full of 3.91 gears on a Sure-Grip limited slip, so the sucker is seriously fast on the roll. Clean floors, recent shocks, and period Cragar mags with fat 245/60/15 Dunlop radials round out the package. They say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but this one is beautiful to the guy holding the time slips. A great cruiser that still has the moves. Call today!