1966 Dodge Polara

The Dodge Polara was introduced for the 1960 model year, serving as the top-of-the-line full-size model, a position it held until the introduction of the Custom 880 in 1962. To make room for the new luxury offering, it moved down a notch. All Dodge models were redesigned in 1962, and the Polara received a smaller and lighter B-Body that it shared with the Dart, along with the 116-inch wheelbase chassis.

The Polara moved back to the full-sized Chrysler C platform for 1965, still positioned below the Custom 880, and the new Monaco hardtop coupe. The Monaco replaced the Custom 880 as the mid-level model in 1966, while a new Monaco 500 would replace the previous 1965 Monaco. The compact Dart had a 111-inch wheelbase, the Coronet rested on a 117-inch platform, and the full-size models measured 121-inches. The Polara was the base trim level within Dodge's full-size segment, available in a slew of body styles including a sedan, two- and four-door hardtop, convertible, and station wagon with 6- and 9-passenger seating. The factory base prices ranged from $2,875 to nearly $3,300, and the Monaco with similar body styles ranged from $3,000 to $3,600. Both came equipped with a 383 cubic-inch V8 engine, but the Polara's produced 270 horsepower and the Monaco had 325 horsepower thanks to its four-barrel carburetor. Dodge produced 30,600 examples of the Monaco in 1966, and 75,400 of the Polaras.

The 383 CID V8 had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, 9.2:1 compression, a two-barrel Carter carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, and delivered 270 horsepower. The 325 hp version had 10.0:1 compression and a four-barrel setup. The 426 CID V8 had hemispherical combustion chambers, solid valve lifters, a two four-barrel carburetor, and delivered 425 horsepower at 5,600 RPM. The 440 Wedge had five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and 365 horsepower at 4,400 RPM.

The square-edge styling would be a constant design cue of the 1965 to 1968 Polara, and from 1965 to 1970, it was the consumer's only convertible option in the United States on the full-sized Dodge platform. The 1966 Polara convertible had a price of $3,160, the sedan listed for $2,840, and the four-door hardtop at $2,950. The 6-passenger wagon was priced at $3,180 and the 9-passenger version at $3,290.

The minor styling updates applied to the 1966 Polara included the delta-shaped taillights, minor revisions to the hourglass-shaped grille, and the Dodge name, in block letters, located on the center of the hood.

Within the 75,400 Polara's produced in 1966 were 12,400 low priced 'Polara 318' models, equipped with the 318 CID V8 that delivered 230 horsepower at 4,400 rpm. The sporty version of the Polara was called the Polara 500 and equipped with bucket seats and a console with floor shift controls. Exterior identification included round '500' emblems on the front fenders. All Polara models came standard with a three-speed manual transmission, while the three-speed TorqueFlite and four-speed manual transmissions were optional.

The standard equipment on the Polara included a chrome windshield, rear window moldings, a heater and defroster, power top convertibles, 8.25 x 14 tubeless tires, and the 383 CID V8 engine.

Dodge produced 75,100 examples of the Polara in 1965, plus an additional 22,800 station wagons on the Polara and Custom 880 series. Despite the absence of the Custom 880 series for 1966, the Polara production was nearly unchanged, with 75,400 Polaras, including the 12,400 'Polara 318s,' plus 29,300 station wagons on the Polara and Monaco series.

The 1967 Polaras were completely restyled for 1967 gaining a longer, wider, and lower body highlighted by delta-shaped plastic taillights and offered in a wide range of body styles, similar to the 1966 line. Sales would dip considerably, falling to approximately 24,000 units including 5,600 Polara 318s and 3,200 Polara 500s.

by Dan Vaughan

The name Polara first appeared in 1960 on Dodge's full-size vehicle line, and the name would continue to adorned Dodge vehicles in various forms until 1973.

When introduced, the Dodge Polara's design was similar to vehicles of the prior years, continuing the 'Forward Look' design of Virgil Exner. In the front was a small grille accompanied by a large front bumper. In the rear were taillights termed 'jet pods'. The lights were larger than what they needed to be with part of their purpose to aid in the futuristic look of the vehicle. Tail fins were part of the ensemble. There were to tail lights with the lower light built into the rear bumper. Chrome and trim were used extensively on the vehicle's exterior. On the interior, the vehicle was adorned in plush fabrics, appropriate since this was Dodge's near top-of-the-line vehicle.

The jet influenced tail lights, futuristic-looking tail-fins, extensive use of chrome, and 'Forward Look' design of the Dodge Polara was not enough to stimulate sales in 1960. The Matador was partly responsible for the slow sales so, in the following year, the Matador was no longer offered for sale. The Polara was given styling updates and various changes but this did little to increase sales as many consumers were more interested in the conventional style, mid-sized Dodge Dart.

A few of the changes that occurred on the Dodge Polara in 1961 were enlarging the car's tail fins and reversing their direction, meaning they grew larger as they crept towards the rear window. In the front, the larger bumper treatments were replaced in favor of a more simple design. The concave grille from the Dodge Dart could now be found on the Dodge Polara. The result of the work of Exner's styling department was a unique design and something that was different from anything else on American roads at the time. Unfortunately, the American public did not favor the design and sales were dismal, with only 14,032 units produced. This was one of the lowest figures for the Dodge Marque since the early 1910's.

The change was obviously needed. For 1962 the Polara was moved to a smaller platform, now just 116 inches. The change had come as a last-minute decision in an effort to mirror the moves Chevrolet was making with their designs. Chevrolet was downsizing all of their products. Dodge designers were forced to revise their designs to more compact configurations. When Chevrolet rolled out their new products in 1962, the Chrysler Corporation was surprised to see that what was thought to be a down-size of all their products was merely the inclusion of smaller products to their mid and full-size line-up. Chevrolet had their full-size Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala. The Chevy II was now their compact vehicle. As a result, Dodge and Chrysler offered smaller cars than their competitors in 1962. The public and press were not impressed with the new designs, finding them awkward. Sales remained low.

The Dodge Polara 500 was introduced in 1962 as a two-door hardtop coupe. A few months later a convertible and four-door hardtop version was added.

It took a few years to recover but by 1965 the Dodge Polara was again sitting atop of a full-size platform and offered in a variety of body styles including sedans, hardtops, station wagons, and more. From 1965 through 1968 the vehicle was given yearly updates to its square-edged styling design. The square design of the Polara was a major departure from the rounded design of just a few years prior. In the front were dual headlights on each side of the vehicle. The dual headlight design was integrated into the grill and positioned above the chrome bumper.

Revisions to the interior occurred in 1966 with the inclusion of a telescopic and tilt steering wheel and four-passenger seat belts. Front shoulder belts were offered as optional equipment. The automatic transmission was given a reverse lockout button. The door handles were moved to the front edge of the armrests in an effort to improve safety.

The top-of-the-line Polara was the Monaco two-door hardtop in 1965 and the following year it became its own model. When it became its own model it was offered in a variety of body styles. The Monaco of 1966 was very similar to the Polara. The rear tail-lights gave the greatest clue to the vehicle's differences. The Monaco had full-length tail lights that extended the entire length of the trunk area. The Polara's taillights were much smaller.

In 1966 both the Monaco and the Polar grew by six inches. Disc brakes were available on all full-size Dodge vehicles. Station wagons were given disc brakes as standard equipment.

In 1969 the Chrysler line-up received updating with the designs becoming more round. This was called the 'Fuselage Look.' There were few changes for the Polara from 1969 until its demise in 1973.

The name 'Polara' resurfaced in 1977 in Brazil where it was used on re-badged versions of Chrysler Avenger. Production continued in this region until 1981.

by Dan Vaughan