Jack writes from New York: The story of my 1962 Dodge Polara 500 goes back to 1965. |
In 1965 I was a 17 year old senior in high school. I went on work study at a Chrysler/Plymouth and Dodge dealer. One day at work I saw that a customer had traded in this 1962 Dodge Polara 500 convertible, with a big block 361 engine. That night I worked out a deal and bought the Mopar for $1495.00.
A few months later I found a 426 Max Wedge engine for sale, with everything other than the shortblock, for $450. Soon after in 1966 the 440 engine came out so I went and bought a new 440 shortblock at my $350 dealer cost. I used the 426 Max Wedge parts on the 440 shortblock and installed it in my 1962 Polara 500 Convertible. |
license plate holder |
I raced the Dodge from 1966 to 1968, turning 12.50's. The 440 was a lot of engine with the Stage 1 Max Wedge heads and cam and the dual 550 Carter carbs on the crossram.
I put a Hemi converter on the push button transmission too.
Later, I changed the rear gears from 4.56 to 3.36 for street use. That is how the Polara 500 still is now over 50 years later. Luckily, I still cruise with her just about every weekend.
Contact Jack via his friend Ron: