1962 Dodge Trim Lines - The TRUTH, please

friendofvirgil · Feb 17, 2019

Ok. I've seen more than a member or two on here and other websites mention they are looking for or wanting to sell parts or whole 1962 Dodge Polara this or that. What are they talking about? The trim lines for 1962 Dodge are: Dart, Dart 330, Dart 440 and Polara 500. The trim lines for 1963 Dodge are: 330, 440, Polara, and Polara 500. Am I wrong? So, is there such a thing as a 1962 Polara without it being a Polara 500? I've even seen a 62 Polara 500 on FBBO with a mish mosh of 62 Dodge trim and interior being advertised as a Dart 440. I know the owner knows better because I know the owner. And, did Chrysler build a 62 Dart 440 2-door hardtop? I know they built a 63 440 2-door hardtop.

matthon · Feb 17, 2019

Not sure on 62 Polara, but they made the 440 2 door and 4 door hardtop in 62.

I also read that mid year 62 they also added extra trim to the 440, same as on the Polara, just below the windows.

khryslerkid · Feb 17, 2019

You are correct, no "Polara" for 1962. Just Polara 500. 1963 went to a Polara and a Polara 500

khryslerkid · Feb 17, 2019

matthon said:
Not sure on 62 Polara, but they made the 440 2 door and 4 door hardtop in 62.

1962 had a Polara 500 4 door!

Jeffj · Feb 17, 2019

Go to a site called www.classracerinfo.com/Classification and you can see every year, every model from every manufacturer. It is used by NHRA for stock and super stock classification of every car/model/drive train combo. Some of what you list does not exist there so it is likely that there was never such a model built by the factory. BTW I am looking for 1963 Dodge 330 left rear quarter trim for a 2 dr but would take a 4 dr piece to stitch together with what I have.
Thanks, Jeff J

khryslerkid · Feb 17, 2019

friendofvirgil said:
And, did Chrysler build a 62 Dart 440 2-door hardtop?

Yep, many.

greycharger · Feb 17, 2019

There was an 1962 880 also. It's been my understanding that it was a Dart, but I don't remember any markings in it other than "Dodge". It looked much like a Chrysler in the front, just like one in the rear. The Taillights on a gravel road at night making dust looked like rocket motors. My grandmother bought it new. She paid sticker price, cash. Bet that made the salesman's day.

matthon · Feb 17, 2019

880

khryslerkid · Feb 17, 2019

greycharger said:
There was an 1962 880 also.

1962 - 1964 they were "C" body

Jerry Hall · Feb 17, 2019

Good information, I didn't know there were so few 330 2 door sedans.

matthon said:
Not sure on 62 Polara, but they made the 440 2 door and 4 door hardtop in 62.

I also read that mid year 62 they also added extra trim to the 440, same as on the Polara, just below the windows.

View attachment 721546

friendofvirgil · Feb 17, 2019

matthon said:
Not sure on 62 Polara, but they made the 440 2 door and 4 door hardtop in 62.

I also read that mid year 62 they also added extra trim to the 440, same as on the Polara, just below the windows.

View attachment 721546

The only items missing in this 'statistics' sheet are the Model Year, Make, and the Polara 500. I do see DamnyerChrysler noted as the source but where did you pull this data from, matthon?

matthon · Feb 18, 2019

I had to find it again, from a Hemmings article on the 62 Dodge Dart. I was trying to find out how many 4 door hardtops were built.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2006/10/1962-Dodge-Dart/1351310.html

khryslerkid · Feb 18, 2019

matthon said:
I had to find it again, from a Hemmings article on the 62 Dodge Dart. I was trying to find out how many 4 door hardtops were built.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2006/10/1962-Dodge-Dart/1351310.html

I've seen the article before. There are a few errors, especially in the engine section.

matthon · Feb 18, 2019

I'm sure. At least I learned something here, Polara 500 only in 62, and you could get it in a 4 door.

I still can't find where I read that mid year they added extra trim to the Dart 440 because buyers couldn't believe there was such a 'small' amount of trim, and also because of low sales.

The trim on this Polara with red.

khryslerkid · Feb 18, 2019

matthon said:
I'm sure. At least I learned something here, Polara 500 only in 62, and you could get it in a 4 door.

I still can't find where I read that mid year they added extra trim to the Dart 440 because buyers couldn't believe there was such a 'small' amount of trim, and also because of low sales.

The trim on this Polara with red.

View attachment 721748

You have to remember that they were having a hard time selling this new, down sized vehicle. 1961 was larger and convincing the public to buy smaller wasn't that easy. This new styling was developed overnight and they were flying by the seat of their pants marketing it. So listening to what people wanted and what was selling, they kept making changes throughout the year. The four door Polara 500 came out halfway through the production year for an example. You had the option to order almost any combination that you wanted.

I'd have to research it again but there was one of the early Ramcharger drivers that ordered the Polara 500 rear quarter chrome pieces on his Darts just because he liked the look.

Here's a 1962 article I found recently about how they were ordering different parts for their test Dart and what was available. Even a 4 spd trans that wasn't supposed to be available in 1962. Really interesting! (Turn to page 11)

https://issuu.com/carlos527/docs/car_life_magazine-marzo_1962

Dipstick · Feb 18, 2019

khryslerkid said:
I've seen the article before. There are a few errors, especially in the engine section.

The whole article is full of errors. How about this tidbit?

"A heavy-duty $146 four-speed manual gearbox was available with the high-performance engines."

khryslerkid · Feb 18, 2019

Dipstick said:
The whole article is full of errors. How about this tidbit?

"A heavy-duty $146 four-speed manual gearbox was available with the high-performance engines."

In the Car Life magazine article that I posted, they mentioned there was a Warner four speed available. I have always heard that a four speed wasn't available in 1962. The Car Life article is from 1962 so there shouldn't be any errors.

matthon · Feb 18, 2019

I read, yes somewhere again, that the A833 wasn't going to be ready fast enough for those wanting a 4 on the floor, so they offered up the gm trans.

6PKRTSE · Feb 19, 2019

Which ever trim level they had in 62, they are all so ugly but that is what makes them so cool.

Jerry Hall · Feb 19, 2019

6PKRTSE said:
Which ever trim level they had in 62, they are all so ugly but that is what makes them so cool.

Funny you say that. When I first got my 62 330 2-door post, I told everyone it's so ugly it's pretty. Now I totally love their lines and looks.

1962 Dodge Trim Lines - The TRUTH, please

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