1961 Dodge Polara Coupe (LHD)

Description

With radical Jet Age-inspired styling by Virgil Exner, Dodge's 1961 Polara was certainly one of the most distinctive new models launched that year, featuring unique reverse-slanted rear fins. The full-size Polara was offered as a sedan, hardtop sedan, convertible and station wagon but by far the most attractive variant was the hardtop coupe, with a swept rear screen, extensive chrome moldings, an aggressive grille with quad headlamps and recessed tail lamps. The Polara came with Mopar's smooth 361-cid V8 and three-speed manual transmission as standard, with the option of the D-500 383-cid V8 - which in turn was available with optional Ram Air induction to boost power to 330 horsepower. A push-button Torqueflite automatic transmission proved a popular option across the Polara range and road testers praised the Dodge's torsion bar front suspension that resulted in superior handling, and the rigid monocoque body construction. Priced at $3032, Dodge sold just 1,862 hardtop Polaras in 1961, a fraction of the numbers sold by rivals Ford and Chevrolet, with the controversial styling blamed for alienating customers. As a consequence, surviving Polara hardtops are few and far between, even in America, and just two are believed to have found their way to Australia.