1960 Dodge Polara

The Dodge models for 1960 were one of the final expressions of the tail fin age at the Chrysler Corporation, and like nearly all of Virgil Exner's designs of the era, it combined sweeping elegance and attractive proportions. The Chrysler Corporation was preparing for the dissolution of the DeSoto division the following year and the void it would leave in regard to variety, price point, body styles, and styling. DeSoto had been a part of Chrysler since the late 1920s. Its ultimate demise in 1961 was blamed on numerous factors, including corporate mistakes, changing market tastes, competition, and the economic downturn and recession of 1958. DeSoto was not alone, as several other marques did not survive the late 1950s and early 1960s, including Packard, Studebaker, Continental, Imperial, and Edsel.

Dodge created a separate line of smaller cars in 1960 to complement its line of full-size vehicles. The smaller cars had a 118-inch wheelbase and included the Dart, Dart Pioneer, and Dart Phoenix. The full-size line had a 122-inch wheelbase and models included the Matador and Polara. The Matador would be a single-year model, with the 1961 Dodge full-size range solely consisting of the Polara. The popularity of the Dart Series and the loss of DeSoto led Dodge to focus more on the compact market than on the full-size. The Lancer model joined the lineup in 1961, and its 106.5-inch wheelbase was nearly two feet shorter than the standard Dodge.

Virgil Exner, a native of Michigan, had worked with Raymond Loewy and Associates with early work initially involving military vehicles. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, he styled cars for Studebaker, a Loewy client. In 1944, he left Loewy to join Studebaker and was instrumental in creating the 1947 Champion Starlight coupe, one of the first new post-war American automobiles. He joined Chrysler in 1949 and quickly rose through the ranks with a series of dramatic dream cars created in concert with Carrozzeria Ghia, the Italian designer, and coachbuilding firm. His 'Forward Look' designs of the 1950s helped shake the Chrysler Corporation's reputation for stodgy post-war designs, and in July of 1957, he was appointed Vice President of Styling. Prior to this appointment, final design approval rested with Chrysler's engineering department.

The 1960 Dodge models now rested on a unitized body and chassis, with the Dart series being equipped with the 225-CID 'Slant Six' and the standard Dodges powered by a 361 CID V8. Styling on both lines was similar, albeit subdued from the previous year, with the headlight 'eyebrows' replaced with more conventional chrome bezels and the tail fins became tamer. The bodyside styling was simpler and more elegant, with a single horizontal chrome strip traversing the length of the vehicle. The jet-age-inspired taillamps were enclosed in a chrome bezel, and the Dodge name, in script, was located on the lower right side of the trunk lid. A more contemporary Dodge crest was located on the front of the hood.

The 1960 Dodge Polara was the top-of-the-line Dodge, priced from $3,140 to $3,620. In comparison, the entry-level Chrysler Windsor was priced from $3,810 to $4,400, and the top-of-the-line Plymouth Fury listed from $2,500 to $2,930. The DeSoto Fireflite listed for $3,000 to $3,170 and the DeSoto Adventurer sold for $3,580 to $3,700.

Inside, push-button transmission, space-pod instruments, and a Lucite steering wheel cast with metal flake were in keeping with the styles of the time, as man inched closer to a manned moon landing.

The station wagons featured pillarless hardtop styling and nearly 100 cubic feet of interior space.

The Super Red Ram V8 engine had overhead valves, a 361 cubic-inch displacement, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and a Holley four-barrel carburetor helping to produce 295 horsepower. The Ram Fire 383 CID V8 produced 325 hp and the D-500 with 'cross ram induction' developed 320 hp. Cross Ram was new for 1960; it mounted two four-barrel carburetors, each one on the end of a set of four 30-inch ram tubes. The tubes cross in the center so that the left carburetor feeds the right bank and the right feeds the left bank. The long tubes allowed the engine to breathe freely, and its tuned length creates a high-velocity charge entering the cylinders at the moment they need fuel.

The D-500 was introduced at the start of the 1956 model year and the origin of the name is still being debated, as it suggests the Indianapolis 500, but the Dodge Indy 500 pace cars and series of replicas were all 1954 models. It has been suggested that the 500 was in reference to the number of cars required to satisfy racing homologation. To add further confusion is the crossed-checkered-flag medallion placed on the cars.

Regardless, the D-500 package, available on the Royal Lancer hardtop coupe and convertible, including the D-500 engine, suspension and drivetrain upgrades, a larger exhaust, and special ornamentation. They also received distinctive D-500 serial numbers. The package later became available on the Coronet two-doors and later, devoid of the heavy-duty suspension, on all models.

Dodge offered convertible body styles on the Dart Phoenix and Polara, with a combined total of 8,817 units with no further breakdown. 42,517 Matador and Polara models were built during 1960, with approximately 11,600 being Polara passenger cars and an unknown number of station wagons. Approximately 51,600 examples of all Dodge station wagons were built in 1960.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018