1965 Dodge Polara 4-Door Sedan

[Ron Hamilton]

1965 Dodge Polara Sedan

Thanks to Copcarbuilder for getting me off of my duff, and getting this project going. Several years ago, I purchased a MPC 1965 Dodge Custom 880 Convertible from a friend at a NNL. He was apologtic that the windshield frame was busted, and he had no idea where to get a replacement. I looked at this, and had the idea to do a CHP cruiser out of it. I have seen a couple of them done, using the roof from the JoHan 1968 Plymouth Fury Police cruiser. I was not satisfied with the roof on the conversion, so I put it off until I could figure out how to do a more accurate roof.

There is not a lot of information on the web about a '65 Dodge Polara Sedan, but I have been able to find a few photos of the 1965 Dodge Polara Sedan in CHP livery, and a set of photos of a Civillian Polara Sedan.

I started the project by removing the roof from the Plymouth. I removed the roof drip mouldings, changed the angle of the sail panels, rear quarter window, and backlight profile to mirror the 1965 Dodge Polara. Once I was satisfied with the roof, I grafted it to the Dodge body. Also, I removed the upper body side moulding from the body, and replaced it with a faint charachter line, and added body side mouldings to the lower body. I filled in the two door line, and scribed in the four door lines and front fender separation line.

I primered it to see where I am with the body. I have some more sanding to do at the characher lines in the front fenders, as well as cleaning up some of the joints. Next, I am going to modify the tail light panel to the Polara specifiaction from the Custom 880 finned piece, and re-do the interior to the Polara specs.

[Ron Hamilton]

Maryland did not use the 1965 Dodge Polara as a cruiser. I have another car in mind for the Maryland State Police Cruiser.

[disabled modeler]

That is sweet! Nice job on her.

[charlie8575]

Nice start. I'll watch this with interest.

Charlie Larkin

[Tom Jackson]

Awsome work Ron.

[Guest Johnny]

I had the 1:1 car!!!

In 1976 I was looking for a work car to park at the truck teminal The salesman at the local Dodge dealer pointed me to the back row of the lot to the "cheap" cars. The third one I looked at was a pale yellow 65 Polara! I asked about it an he said it runs and drives great but no one wanted it because it was a standard trans car and the were getting ready to scrap it! So I offered 150 bucks and he said he would get the title and the keys! (cash sale not run through the dealership) I walked on up and arond and ecept for a few dimgs and a dent repair by the drivers side tail light it was a solid car! Looked in and the seats looked near perfect!(gold interior) Then it hit me! That long s shaped Hurst shifter!!!

Yes it was a 4 door 4 speed car!!! Popped the hood it was a 440 car!!!

Turned out it was a car that had originally belonged to the Sauk Co. Wisconsin Sheriffs Police! Had the protecto plare with the departments name on it!!!

Wish I still had it. Spent years looking for another Polara to replicate it but never found one solid enough!

Tried to find a Promo of the car to build a replica, but that was elusive too!

Looking great and look forwards to seeing your model finished one day!