30-Years-Owned 1968 Dodge Polara 500 Convertible 440ci

Sold for $21,000 on 7/5/19

30-Years-Owned 1968 Dodge Polara 500 Convertible 440ci

This 1968 Dodge Polara 500 convertible was ordered new from a Los Angeles–area Dodge dealer as a birthday gift for the original owner and was driven regularly until she traded the car in to the original dealer in 1989. The current owner reportedly acquired the car from the same dealer shortly thereafter and refurbished the car for show use. This example is one of approximately two dozen total Polara 500 Convertibles powered by a 440ci V8. Under current ownership the 440ci V8 has been rebuilt, the exterior repainted in the original color, and the car has been fitted with a tilt steering column, passenger mirror, and rear speaker. The car was shown through 2001 when it was put in long-term storage, and it was recently recommissioned by the seller. This Polara is now offered on behalf of the current owner with black California license plates, awards, magazines featuring the car, a restoration book, a parts catalog, a service manual, window sticker, a letter from the original owner, and a clean California title.

The Polara was enlarged beginning in 1967, increasing the wheelbase one inch and the overall length by more than six inches. This 219-inch-long example is finished in Light Green (F) and was repainted in the early 1990s by the current owner to correct for thinning paint and other finish flaws. The seller reports that no metal work was required when the car was refinished. The seller describes a chip the inner rear quarter near the trunk, and close-up photos of the finish and trim are provided in the gallery below.

The current owner added a passenger-side mirror, and the car retains factory 15″ wheels with full covers. The center caps denote that this Polara is equipped with disc brakes, and Goodyear tires are mounted. The seller notes that the factory green convertible top was not replaced when the car was refreshed, and it is shown mid-operation in the gallery below. The rear-window zipper is said to be difficult to use.

The interior is trimmed in black vinyl upholstery with matching trim. The factory carpets have faded to a red hue. The current owner added a tilt steering column and a rear speaker, and the car retains a factory Dodge Music Master AM radio. Close-up photos are provided of the interior trim and upholstery. The cardboard glovebox is said to be in poor condition.

The seller notes that the left-rear window is sometimes finicky, and the air-conditioning system has been fully recharged. The fuel gauge is not working, and the car retains factory horizontal-traversing instrumentation. Just under 78k miles are shown on the five-digit odometer, which reportedly has rolled over once.

The current owner reportedly commissioned a rebuild of the 440ci V8 in the early 1990s. Since taking the car out of storage the seller has rebuilt the carburetor, cleaned the fuel system, fitted a factory fuel pump, and replaced the battery. Fluids have been replaced, and the brake system has also been serviced. The seller reports that further tuning will likely be required as the car is driven more, as it has only been driven about 50 miles since coming out of storage.

The three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels via a Sure Grip rear end fitted by the current owner. The seller notes an exhaust leak on the passenger side which is said to only be audible with the hood open. Additional photos of the underside are provided and show the floors, subframes, suspension components, and more.

The fender tag indicates that the car was originally equipped with a 440ci V8, an automatic transmission, power windows, power disc brakes, and air conditioning. It was built on February 8, 1968. 4,048 Polara 500s were built in all body styles, with just 129 receiving the 440, approximately 24 of those were convertibles.

The window sticker shows that the car was shipped to Claude Short Dodge in Santa Monica, California and carried a retail price of $5,139, which included nearly $1,500 worth of options.

A service manual, parts catalog, restoration book, and a selection of awards won by the car are included, as are magazine articles featuring the car, old photos of it with the current and original owner, and more.

Photo Gallery

Auction Result

Winning Bid	USD $21,000 by Batman00
Auction Ended	July 5, 2019 at 2:10PM PT
Bids	32

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354 watchers

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