Advice on trade for 64 Polara?

[Druid318]

So I'm looking at trading off my 14 Dodge Challenger R/T for something. This fairly local guy contacts me wanting to trade for this 64 Polara. He would be paying 25 for my car and I would be paying about 10k for his car. I would walk away breaking even on mine, and no more car payment.

The car is currently a 440, 727 floor shift, reverse manual valve body, dana 60 with a 5.13 gear (I think). It has a roll cage in it currently. I would be looking to maybe swap the gears in the dana and use it as a street car.

Thoughts?

 

[67GTX440]

Something like the Polara would make a great second car once the Challenger is paid off. As daily transportation, I think you would miss the Challenger as soon as it pulled out of your driveway.

 

[fwi]

My 65 Coronet is set up similar to your Polara, it is a handfull for the street, but ok for short drives. That 5.13 rear will get you up to 60 mph real fast but you will be at 4-5000 rpm! Looks like it had a fuel cell in the trunk for racing. Do you know how long and how much the car was raced? Make sure the frame has connectors and that the car isn't twisted up on the driver's side. Nice looking car but I would loose the bowtie scoop (just my 2 cents)...Let us know if you make the trade.

 

[PRND21]

I would say one of the first things would be a brake upgrade, (single master cylinder). A lot of the interior is missing. How does it run? Would you have to figure in a cam change? How is the glass, windows roll up and down? Instruments, heater, lights work? Not trying to talk you out of it because I like the early Bs, but to make a driver, the little things can be major work. Good luck.

 

[PRND21]

My 65 Coronet is set up similar to your Polara, it is a handfull for the street, but ok for short drives. That 5.13 rear will get you up to 60 mph real fast but you will be at 4-5000 rpm! Looks like it had a fuel cell in the trunk for racing. Do you know how long and how much the car was raced? Make sure the frame has connectors and that the car isn't twisted up on the driver's side. Nice looking car but I would loose the bowtie scoop (just my 2 cents)...Let us know if you make the trade.

Oh yeah, get an air cleaner and loose the Camaro hood. (2 cents)

 

[Glenwood]

have a close look at it for rust, particularly around the driver's side cowl (upper and lower). This was a pain to repair for me.

 

[Druid318]

Thanks for all the replies.

I like my Challenger, but it is a 400 a month payment I just don't need. I honestly don't drive the car often for fear of door dings. This was my first brand new car, and I'll probably avoid ever buying another one. I was looking at trading to a dealer for a 2006 or so 300C, but they want way too much cash on top of my car.

If I do take this trade I'm looking at 400 a month in savings to cover anything that needs done. The guy that owns this car said he hasn't had it a long time, but he thinks the last guy had it for like 30 years and it wasn't running. I am definately worried about rust issues being this is Kansas. I'll take a look at the front for twisting issues. What exactly is going to be the thing to look at for that though? If it is twisted from drag racing would that be pretty easy to spot?

I have not had a Polara for 20 years now. I currently daily drive a 1998 Ranger that I swapped an Explorer rear end into. It will likely be going away soon as well. It has 250k miles on it. It had less than 40k when I bought it.

If I do buy this car all the drag racing stuff is going away. I'll be losing the roll cage, reinstalling rear seats, and finding the rest of the missing interior panels. I don't mind the big block, but the rest of it needs to become street friendly. I'm not sure if removing the Dana or swapping gears would be easier and cheaper. Maybe a gear vendor overdrive? I'm guessing the reverse manual valve body is not going to be much fun on the street either? Is that an easy thing to change?

 

[threewood]

He is asking $10k?
Looks ok but I think it could be too much for anything but a weekend cruise/racer. Change gears, TC, shift kit?, cam carb to get it friendly to the streets. Tubbed rear end...axle shortened and springs relocated. It would be a project for sure. I love the 64 body style for sure. Check it well for rust on the frame rails and cowl.

 

[PRND21]

Even with a gear vendor the drive shaft speed would be excessive with 5:13s on the street. Floor pans and trunk floor are other high rust areas.
Just curious, I see the pushbuttons, are the cables still with the car?

 

[monaco66coupe]

I would sell the Challenger outright and buy a really nice driver, if that is a 64 Polara then fine. much less work. Four months ago I would have traded one of my nice drivers to get the Challenger, but I went and Bought a new 2016. I use it for Business and travel, which the old cars don't do well. I worry more about theft of the old cars than dings.

 

[Fran Blacker]

What's the quality of the work on the car, it's bare bones inside. The DIRT, has velocity stack no air filter? Dirt in motor?

 

[Fran Blacker]

Another comment, the Dana if it's a sure grip with a spacer, gear change easy. If it's a spool more money . Changing to an 8.75 you'll need a drive shaft. The price for the car $10,000 is bad. Do you have a plan if your ranger craps out?

 

[fwi]

"What exactly is going to be the thing to look at for that though? If it is twisted from drag racing would that be pretty easy to spot?"

If it has frame connectors and the left front side is not sitting noticeably higher than the rest of the car it's probably fine.
You should just keep it as is for a weekend/cruise in toy, because the list of things you want to do to it will add up to many many $$$. If it runs and is rust free, you can probably get a bit more than $10k for it if you were to sell it. At least it will relieve you of the monthly payment burden and you do have a daily driver. (jmho)

 

[Druid318]

I'm leaning towards passing on it. I have no interest in owning something that is not able to be street/highway driven. This one seems to be a pile of drag parts that are pretty much worthless for me.

I'm starting to get frustrated. I've had the Challenger for sale for about a month at around 25k and I had a little interest, but its all guys wanting to trade stuff that is not really able to be daily driven.

When I was trying to purchase a Challenger I tried buying a used one and could barely find anything in an RT around the 25k point. Mostly high millage junk. Anything low millage had a price rivaling new. Now I can't seem to unload it for 25k. Funny how the market changes.

 

[monaco66coupe]

I'm leaning towards passing on it. I have no interest in owning something that is not able to be street/highway driven. This one seems to be a pile of drag parts that are pretty much worthless for me.

I'm starting to get frustrated. I've had the Challenger for sale for about a month at around 25k and I had a little interest, but its all guys wanting to trade stuff that is not really able to be daily driven.

When I was trying to purchase a Challenger I tried buying a used one and could barely find anything in an RT around the 25k point. Mostly high millage junk. Anything low millage had a price rivaling new. Now I can't seem to unload it for 25k. Funny how the market changes.

It's just the time of year. After taxes,and spring comes the market will come back.I could not find a car like yours for sale last August anywhere.