Many people believe the 1964 Polara mimicked the back appearance of the Chevrolet Impala, which makes sense given the heated competition between the two cars. However, the Polara and Impala preserved their own style for the 1964 model year, and while some lines are similar, I don’t believe Dodge or Chevrolet copied each other.
Dodge continued to invest big in the Polara marketing push, with the company advertising the 1964 model year as a car aimed at buyers looking for luxury options available as standard. The Polara could be had as a convertible, 2-door hardtop, 4-door hardtop, and 4-door sedan.
Like Chevrolet, Dodge offered the Impala with two standard engines. The six-cylinder unit was a 225 Slant-Six available only on the 2-door hardtop and the sedan, while the base V8 was the 318, which could be ordered on all four body styles.
Dodge also equipped the Polara with more powerful engines, including a 383 with either 2-barrel or 4-barrel carburetors and a 426 with one or two 4-barrel units.
A 1964 Polara with the Golden Anniversary finish has returned from 48 years in storage, in surprising condition given its age and extended tenure in hiding. The 2-door hardtop was parked in 1975 but is still completely original. that’s unknown whether this Polara was ever used as a donor for other projects (which would imply that some parts are missing), but based on the photographs, that doesn’t appear to be the case. The hardtop appears to be complete, but the only way to be sure is to inspect it in person.
The 318 with an automatic transmission is still in the automobile, but the most significant elements have been removed. The owner did not say on Craigslist whether the engine still starts and works, which could be a concern for a V8 after five decades in storage. I wouldn’t be shocked if the engine seized from sitting, but a qualified mechanic should be able to tell you more after inspecting the vehicle in person.
The car’s overall condition is good, but we still have the typical suspects regarding rust and metal problems. The floor pans must be replaced, as the rust damage produced big holes that can’t be resolved with regular patching. No information on the trunk pan is available, but I wouldn’t expect good news in this regard.