Car: Dodge Polara Hardtop

Year: 1966

What makes it special: Beginning with the 1960 model year, the Polara was Dodge’s top of the line full-sized car, and after the 1962 Dodge Custom 880, it became an intermediate model. The Polara name was in use until the 1973 model year when it was replaced by the Monaco.

What made it famous: The Polara became a C-Platform Chrysler model being shared with Plymouth beginning in 1965. They were known for their squarish design from 1965 through 1968, and criticized for low fuel economy, with some configurations only delivering 12 miles per gallon. V8 offerings ranged from the 318 to 383. The interior and exterior were given a slight restyle, the automatic transmission was given a reverse lockout button, a telescopic tilt wheel was added as well as thin shell bucket seats, four-passenger seat bels with optional front shoulder belts.

Why I would want one: I think it’s a good-looking cruiser, and lends itself well to customizing or performance mods.

Fun fact: The Polara’s name was a reference to the Polaris star, and a marketing attempt keeping in line with the excitement of the time period surrounding the early 1960’s Space Race.
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Car:

Year: 1955

What makes it special: The Ford Fairlane Customline was produced with the same body and little variation for model years 1955 and ’56. For model year 1957, the body was made longer and sleeker. It was given a new body style for the 1955 model year as competition to Chevrolet, yet was still very much like the 1952 underneath. For 1955, like most models from other manufacturers, the Fairlane was given a Panoramic windshield, giving the driver even more visibility.

What made it famous: For the 1955 model year, Ford’s Mileage Maker Inline-6 engine was given more horsepower as a 120hp, 233 cu in, and the famed Y-Block V8 was now available in two sizes, in either a 162hp, 2-barrel, 272 cu in with single exhaust as the standard engine, and a 182hp, 4-barrel dual exhaust version as an option. You could also check off the optional 193hp, large 292 cu in Thunderbird V8 as well.

Why I would want one: I love Fairlanes. For a boxier version of the model, this car still has lots of style and can be either classy or set-up for a nice street rod.

Fun fact: For the first time, seat belts were offered as a dealer option, and Ford’s first factory-installed “Select-Aire” air conditioning.

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