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2014 Shannons Melbourne Winter Classic Auction
Lot
24

1961 Dodge Polara Coupe (LHD)

$46,000

Sold

Specifications

Engine V8, 361-cid
Gearbox 3-speed Automatic
Body Work Coupe
Colour Buckskin Bronze with an ivory roof
Interior Brown
Trim Cloth
Wheels Steel Disc
Brakes Drums

Description

This lot is no longer available

With radical Jet Age-inspired styling by Virgil Exner, Dodge's 1961 Polara was certainly one of the most distinctive new models launched that year, featuring unique reverse-slanted rear fins. The full-size Polara was offered as a sedan, hardtop sedan, convertible and station wagon but by far the most attractive variant was the hardtop coupe, with a swept rear screen, extensive chrome moldings, an aggressive grille with quad headlamps and recessed tail lamps. The Polara came with Mopar's smooth 361-cid V8 and three-speed manual transmission as standard, with the option of the D-500 383-cid V8 - which in turn was available with optional Ram Air induction to boost power to 330 horsepower. A push-button Torqueflite automatic transmission proved a popular option across the Polara range and road testers praised the Dodge's torsion bar front suspension that resulted in superior handling, and the rigid monocoque body construction. Priced at $3032, Dodge sold just 1,862 hardtop Polaras in 1961, a fraction of the numbers sold by rivals Ford and Chevrolet, with the controversial styling blamed for alienating customers. As a consequence, surviving Polara hardtops are few and far between, even in America, and just two are believed to have found their way to Australia.