1963 Dodge Polara 500

Works in Progress

C.Corr writes from Florida:

My next major project, the Dodge is actually a very light,
surface-only-rust car from south Georgia.

I got the 500 from an 80 year old fella' that I have restored several Mopars with. He became ill and asked me to put the car back together for the road or just take it racing, ("just use it for something!"... LOL).

I already own a beautiful restored '69 black A31, 4 speed Roadrunner and a '70 Limelite RR, so I really thought about it....

I decided to make the 1963 Dodge a racetrack SS class terror!

I have removed the original running 383 and 727 and rear end, and stashed the bucket seats. I will not do anything to the car permanently for racing that cannot be undone for a street driving.

My next move was to do something with the brakes. So, being a Dodge and needing to be different, I removed the K frame and am installing the K frame and manual disc brake assembly from a 1970 Roadrunner parts car. I also am benefitting from the ability to have the '70 style swaybar, manual steering box, new style engine brackets, and the reposition of the engine 1 5/8 inches rearward.

The driveline is a '71 440 6 pack engine,
Hemi Torqueflite with 5.0 lever, and
Transgo Stage3 shift kit, and
3.91 SureGrip, (until I can find/build
a 4.56 D60).

Thanks, great project and a tribute to your friend!

The 500 will fit right in at the drag strip!

Gary H.

November 4, 2003; November 3, 2004

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