The Development Phase
For the first time since 1961, the design program for the 1964 Dodge Polara 500 was free of corporate stumbles. The development took off at the wake of 1962 under the able directions of Elwood Engel. The chief stylist that worked in the development phase of 1964 Dodge Polara 500 was Bill Brownlie. He ardently worked to have a design’ edge’ that was way ahead of all the other Plymouth and Pontiac models. Dick Watson’s handsome grille gave this car an attractive barbell theme
The Design
Classic Detroit Facelift that constituted an attractive front end and hard top roof made of 2 doors was the specialty of this particular model. The roof of these cars was spiffier and was not aggressive. The new windshield and the new cowl panel were the value ads to this model. New sheet metal that included brand new fenders, cowl and hood formed the front end of this car. Dual wind-splits that were a bit raised were accented by black colored moldings in this model. The bumper in the rear was different from that of the 1963 model since it had a skirt that was deeper and did not have the pan below the bumper. Triangle shaped amber turn-signal lenses mimed triangular insertions that had the Dodge ‘fratzog’ emblem on them.
In terms of dimensions, there was a 1.6 inches increase in length, 1.5 inches increase in width and 2.1 inch expansion in the rear tread. The wheelbaswe of this model was 119 inches as it was in the 1963 model. The basic body that was incorporated in the 1962 models continued for the year 1964 too but was modified and lengthened by the new Chrysler.
The Release
In 1963, on the 8th of May, the technical team that was working under Chrysler released the pamphlet that contained the details of the features of 1964 Dodge Polara. In continuation to this, Dodge company made a press release stating that the 1964 Dodge Polara would not be a premimum line automobile but would be marketed as a sport option. So, this model contained the cluttered side trim designed by George Krispinski. Further to all this, it was also made clear that the expensive tooling would not be implemented and that 318-cubic-inch V-8 would form the power plant of this model. As a consequence the convertible was put on sale at a starting price of $3227 later!