• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

1964 Dodge Polara 500 Body Questions

Detroit Iron

Well-Known Member
Local time
1:56 AM
Joined
Jul 30, 2008
Messages
436
Reaction score
215
Location
Bay Area - California
I have a couple questions about the body of my car for the guys who have taken one of these things apart. I'm preparing to paint the car.

#1 The each door has two metal plugs in them. I'm just wondering if what I have is the correct plugs, or did someone replace them at some point. (see photo)

#2 The Dodge emblem on the roof panel (see photo). Are there emblem nuts holding it on? Or, is it held on by the push in, tension fit type retainers? I really don't want to pull the headliner up to get this emblem off.

IMG_2255.JPG IMG_2256.JPG IMG_1703.jpg
 
I have a couple questions about the body of my car for the guys who have taken one of these things apart. I'm preparing to paint the car.

#1 The each door has two metal plugs in them. I'm just wondering if what I have is the correct plugs, or did someone replace them at some point. (see photo)

#2 The Dodge emblem on the roof panel (see photo). Are there emblem nuts holding it on? Or, is it held on by the push in, tension fit type retainers? I really don't want to pull the headliner up to get this emblem off.

View attachment 954025 View attachment 954026 View attachment 954027
Yes those are the correct factory cap plugs! And the medallions are held on with a nut, You'll have to pull the headliner loose.
 
I'm curious to know the purpose of the door plugs? ( I have a 64 Polara convertible). Is there a part of the window regulator or door glass that is adjusted behind those plugs? My doors are off my car but I'll have to look later today to see if mine has the same holes in the same exact locations.

As a teenager in the late 70's I worked part time at a Chevy dealership while finishing high school. When a customer wanted a new vehicle to be undercoated, the dealership would spray the underside of the car or truck. They'd also drill a hole in each door in the same area as Detroit Iron's photo so that a long, thin wand could be inserted and undercoating sprayed inside the door. A plastic plug was then put into the hole.
 
Last edited:
Yes those are the correct factory cap plugs! And the medallions are held on with a nut, You'll have to pull the headliner loose.

I keep telling myself I'm not going to disassemble the entire car.... but one thing leads to another and... I have to disassemble the entire car. Haha.. Thanks for the input. That really helps. Here goes.... gotta do it right. The headliner is original, so I assume once I disturb the corner, the rest will go to hell in short time. Headliner should really be replaced anyway.
 
I'm curious to know the purpose of the door plugs? ( I have a 64 Polara convertible). Is there a part of the window regulator or door glass that is adjusted behind those plugs? My doors are off my car but I'll have to look later today to see if mine has the same holes in the same exact locations.

As a teenager in the late 70's I worked part time at a Chevy dealership while finishing high school. When a customer wanted a new vehicle to be undercoated, the dealership would spray the underside of the car or truck. They'd also drill a hole in each door in the same area as Detroit Iron's photo so that a long, thin wand could be inserted and undercoating sprayed inside the door. A plastic plug was then put in that hole.

Behind the plugs are........ NOTHING! Behind the top plug is the door lock rod, and I don't see anything behind the lower plug. They must be for something in the manufacturing process.

Interesting what you say about undercoating cars at the Chevy dealership. My Polara is from Washington state. With the doors off; I was going to drill additional holes in the bottom of the door for water drainage, but when I looked inside the doors were perfect. Not a spec of rust or corrosion, and Washington state is known for it's heavy rain. There is also factory installed under coating on the inside of the door skin.

What state were you living in when you worked at the dealership?
 
Last edited:
I was in here in Maryland in the 70's and still am. Things rust here pretty easily too since we have high humidity most of the year.

Glad to hear that your doors are good both inside and out. :thumbsup:
 
I pulled the plastic backed pentastar emblem off the passenger fender. I thought the all aluminum ones were used on pre 1965 cars, or something like that. Does anyone know what would be correct for 1964?

IMG_2259.JPG
 
I'm curious to know the purpose of the door plugs? ( I have a 64 Polara convertible). Is there a part of the window regulator or door glass that is adjusted behind those plugs? My doors are off my car but I'll have to look later today to see if mine has the same holes in the same exact locations.

As a teenager in the late 70's I worked part time at a Chevy dealership while finishing high school. When a customer wanted a new vehicle to be undercoated, the dealership would spray the underside of the car or truck. They'd also drill a hole in each door in the same area as Detroit Iron's photo so that a long, thin wand could be inserted and undercoating sprayed inside the door. A plastic plug was then put into the hole.
Ziebart?
 
I'm curious to know the purpose of the door plugs? ( I have a 64 Polara convertible). Is there a part of the window regulator or door glass that is adjusted behind those plugs? My doors are off my car but I'll have to look later today to see if mine has the same holes in the same exact locations.

As a teenager in the late 70's I worked part time at a Chevy dealership while finishing high school. When a customer wanted a new vehicle to be undercoated, the dealership would spray the underside of the car or truck. They'd also drill a hole in each door in the same area as Detroit Iron's photo so that a long, thin wand could be inserted and undercoating sprayed inside the door. A plastic plug was then put into the hole.

Ok.... the door plugs. I have an answer. They are to adjust the windows. If you take off each plug and look in, you have a straight shot (with an extension) at the bolts that retain and adjust he channel that the windows go up and down on.
 
Ahhhh...... good to know when I get to the reassembly phase of my project. Thanks Detroit!
 
Behind the plugs are........ NOTHING! Behind the top plug is the door lock rod, and I don't see anything behind the lower plug. They must be for something in the manufacturing process.

Interesting what you say about undercoating cars at the Chevy dealership. My Polara is from Washington state. With the doors off; I was going to drill additional holes in the bottom of the door for water drainage, but when I looked inside the doors were perfect. Not a spec of rust or corrosion, and Washington state is known for it's heavy rain. There is also factory installed under coating on the inside of the door skin.

What state were you living in when you worked at the dealership?
I know this is an old thread but just had to comment. Washington State is only known to rain by people that don't know Washington State.
The West side of the state is generally wet but mostly through the winter. Eastern Washington is dry and aired climate is much like Arizona. So if you got a rust free car , it probably was from Eastern Wa.
 
Last edited:
yea .... Have to go with zigs .... we are "generally wet" .... when it's not snowing. None of my cars get parked outside. Learned that the hard way in my younger days. My Road Runner came from Vegas.... no rust .... and no rubber.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top