1960 Dodge Polara

Along with features from the Dodge Matador and then some, the Polara was the top trim level for Dodge in 1960 with deluxe interior treatments. Optional equipment on the 1960 Dodge Polara was a 383-cid Ram Fire V8 engine teamed up with a push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

The Polara was available as a 4-door sedan, 4-door hardtop sedan, 2-door hardtop coupe, 4-door station wagon and 2-door convertible. The Polara along with its lesser counterpart, the Dodge Dart, had Unibody construction that combined the body and frame into one single unit.

 

1960 Dodge Polara Factory Specifications & Production

Model Number	Body/Style Number	Body Type & Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Total Production
Polara Series
543	41	4 dr Sedan - 6P	$3,141	3,735 lbs	Note 1
544	43	4 dr Hardtop Sedan - 6P	$3,275	3,815 lbs	Note 1
542	23	2 dr Hardtop Coupe - 6P	$3,196	3,740 lbs	Note 1
578	46A	4 dr Station Wagon - 6P	$3,506	4,085 lbs	Note 1
579	46B	4 dr Station Wagon - 9P	$3,621	4,220 lbs	Note 1
545	27	2 dr Convertible - 6P	$3,416	3,765 lbs	Note 1

Note:

1. A total of 42,517 Dodge Matador/Polaras were produced. This figure includes 11,600 Polara passenger cars and an unkown number of Polara Station Wagons. A total of 51,600 station wagons were built for all 1961 Dodge models.

Side Note:

In 1960, Dodge built 44,719 two-door sedans; 162,420 four-door sedans; 54,345 two-door hardtops; 20,216 four-door hardtops; 8,817 convertibles; 38,275 four-door station wagons with 2 seats; 13,379 station wagons with 3 seats. No individual breakdowns are available for body styles.

Chassis Specifications

Model	Wheelbase	Overall Length	Width	Front Track	Rear Track	Tires
Polara	122 in	212.6 in	-	-	-	8.00 x 14
Polara Station Wagon	122 in	214.8 in	-	-	-	8.00 x 14

 

1960 Dodge VIN Decoding

Serial Numbers were stamped on a metal plate on the left front door body hinge post.

First Symbol - Model/Engine 4 = Dart - six cylinder 6 = Dodge - V8 5 = Dart - V8   Second - Series 1 = Seneca/Matador 6 = Pioneer station wagon 2 = Pioneer 7 = Polara station wagon 3 = Phoenix/Polara 8 = Taxicab 5 = Seneca/ Matador station wagon 9 = Police Special Third Symbol - Assembly Plant 1 = Lynch Rd 6 = Newark, NJ 2 = Dodge Main 7 = St. Louis, MO 3 = Detroit (Jefferson) 8 = Clairpointe, MO 5 = Los Angeles, CA   Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence Started at 100001

 

Engine Data

Engine numbers are stamped on the top right front cylinder bank of the D-500 Ram; the left upper front of the Red Ram; divided between two bosses on the upper right fron and rear corners of the Economy Slant 6.

Engines Displacement Horsepower Bore & Stroke Compression Ratio Carburetor P-22 = Economy Slant 6 6-225 145 3.40 x 4.13 8.5:1 1 BC P-318 = Red Ram V8 8-318 230 3.91 x 3.31 9:1 4 BC P-36 = Super Red Ram 8-361 295 4.12 x 3.38 10:1 4 BC D-500 Ram 8-381 320 4.12 x 3.38 10:1 4 BC P-38 = Ram Fire 8-383 325 4.25 x 3.38 10:1 4 BC