George Jetson would have loved the top-line 1960 Dodge Polara convertible. Although Dodge
scored record sales for 1960 with new lower-priced and full-size Darts
weren't as popular, the Polara remains a memorable car.
 The 1960 Dodge Polara featured taller tailfins and thrusting pod taillamps. See more pictures of classic convertibles. |
After a modest 1959 recovery, Dodge sales boomed by 135 percent to nearly 368,000 for 1960. The main reason was that year's new Dart, a three-series line of lower-priced "standard" models featuring six and V-8 power, Dodge's first "unibody," somewhat extravagant styling, and attractive prices in the $2300-$3000 range.
 The 1960 Dodge Polara featured swivel seats. |
Covering
the $3000-$3600 spread were similarly conceived "senior" Dodges: new
Matadors and Polaras on a four-inch-longer wheelbase (122 inches).
Styling here was even more flamboyant, with taller tailfins, thrusting
pod taillamps, and an oddly shaped face. The top-line Polara included a
$3416 convertible offered with 383 V-8s delivering up to 330 horsepower
-- that from the hot dual-quad D-500 option with new "ram induction"
manifolding. Futuristic gimmicks like swivel seats also returned.
Exact
numbers aren't recorded, but Dodge likely built few 1960 Polara
convertibles and only a handful with the D-500 package. That makes the
red beauty here another rare Ram ragtop from the Jetsons period of
Chrysler Corporation design.
For more classic convertibles of the 1960s, see:
For more information on all kinds of cars, try these:
- Classic Convertible Cars: See profiles on more than 70 classic convertibles.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide New Car Reviews: Looking for a new car? Get the Consumer Guide rating.
- Consumer Guide Used Car Reviews: Considering a used car purchase? You'll want to check the Consumer Guide used car rating.
