71 Dodge Polara Brougham coupe

[71Polara383]

I like that you are inventing and experimenting with repairs in areas that don't matter that much, and going forward with a vengeance. I like the BSMs myself, but I am an old fogie who thinks of these cars as they were in the past. Somehow, a Polara without the standard BSMs just looks wrong to me. But it is your car, is my bottom line.

At least it has whitewalls on it, at least for now!

Thanks alot Steve! It's a labor of love. As far as experimentation goes, I watch alot of random YouTube videos on rust repair and mopar restoration. As well as reading magazines and other restoration threads. I just pick the things I think will work in my application and try it. If I am unsure of something I will hold off and wait for a better idea or ask a lot of people for their opinions.

When the time comes we will see what happens with the BSM. I really dont want to drill holes or weld studs to my NOS metal. Bad enough the quarter needs dent repair anyway.

 

[saforwardlook]

Thanks alot Steve! It's a labor of love. As far as experimentation goes, I watch alot of random YouTube videos on rust repair and mopar restoration. As well as reading magazines and other restoration threads. I just pick the things I think will work in my application and try it. If I am unsure of something I will hold off and wait for a better idea or ask a lot of people for their opinions.

When the time comes we will see what happens with the BSM. I really dont want to drill holes or weld studs to my NOS metal. Bad enough the quarter needs dent repair anyway.

Way to go on learning to do the repairs!

As you know, I have a few 1971 300s, and those had BSMs that were held on by clips that mounted to those small studs going down the body side. But since my body guy had to get some of those long flat sides really straight/flat (which meant the small studs had to go) for me, I found another way to mount the clips without resorting to studs again. And it worked well. We can discuss if you would like. And fortunately for me, those 71 300 clips are readily available. Not sure about the narrower ones for the Polaras/Monacos though. I sure hope they are for the work I am going to have to do on mine yet.

Keep up the good work on YOUR CAR!

 

[LocuMob]

When do you start working on the quarter panel?

 

[71Polara383]

When do you start working on the quarter panel?

After the rest of the floor is finished up. I am thinking I am going to have to do the package tray/window channel and quarter at the same time.

 

[71Polara383]

Finally. I can use some of my air tools that have been collecting dust since 2013. This thing is whisper quiet.

 

[sixpkrt]

That floor is lookin good Wyatt.
You gonna be working there late today? I'm heading out to Belvidere and can swing by with some cold ones. LMK via text.

 

[71Polara383]

One more patch and the floors are done...

 

[71Polara383]

Covered in etch primer for now. Still have some grinding and finish work to do, but it's to a point where I can move forward

 

[71Polara383]

Last of the major cancer in the floors cut out....

 

[71Polara383]

Messing around with the Brougham a little bit today.

 

[Triple Pickle]

What an undertaking. I feel lazy now.
I lack the patience to do this much to one! Grandpa always said I had a lot of quit in me ! Nice work,man. A lot of people don’t appreciate what goes into restoring these old cars. A LOT OF WORK!

 

[71Polara383]

What an undertaking. I feel lazy now.
I lack the patience to do this much to one! Grandpa always said I had a lot of quit in me ! Nice work,man. A lot of people don’t appreciate what goes into restoring these old cars. A LOT OF WORK!

It's a labor of love. I appreciate it. It's not perfect but getting there. This is what I want the column for.

 

[71Polara383]

2024 two doors .

More were built and sold then the GT by the way, but less left in existence...a Polara Brougham is far more interesting then a GT or Hurst. They just dont really exist anymore.

 

[polara71]

I've seen a half dozen two doors over the years come up for sale. Off hand I know of three that were parted...

 

[71Polara383]

I've seen a half dozen two doors over the years come up for sale. Off hand I know of three that were parted...

Make this #4

 

[71Polara383]

The "donor car" arrived. I am really having a hard time with this. The FK5 is a pretty nice body. I thought the trunk was rusty but it's got some surface rust from the mat and should clean up...this leaves me in a situation.

Build the better car despite my efforts?

Build the better car for now and move forward with the rust repair on the gold car to have a solid shell for the future?

I know it wont be the Real car. But at the same time I have an equally rare car that doesn't deserve to die....there must be a way.

Who's got some solid doors?

 

[GJS]

I don't want to stomp up n down as I wasn't in any place to take it when it was complete but damn, I can understand your predicament. If it were me and I had the space, money and wherewithal, I think your second option of building the better car for now and moving forward on the gold one for the future would be it for me.... but you're talking to a guy who realistically can't get his sh** together to slap a suspension in a relatively solid and drivable vehicle.

Also, I have no idea what is missing and what would be involved in finding what is missing to put that Monaco back together ... I'm pretty sure it'd be a crazy ordeal trying to dig those reverse lights up alone.

 

[71Polara383]

I don't want to stomp up n down as I wasn't in any place to take it when it was complete but damn, I can understand your predicament. If it were me and I had the space, money and wherewithal, I think your second option of building the better car for now and moving forward on the gold one for the future would be it for me.... but you're talking to a guy who realistically can't get his sh** together to slap a suspension in a relatively solid and drivable vehicle.

Also, I have no idea what is missing and what would be involved in finding what is missing to put that Monaco back together ... I'm pretty sure it'd be a crazy ordeal trying to dig those reverse lights up alone.

They are sitting out in the yard at my job...But I would NOT be making it a 70 Monaco. I'd cut all that out to make the car a 71. I want a 71... Not 70. Polara. Not Monaco.

The way I see it is I have a solid west coast body...what I initially thought I was getting with the Brougham...but I got an Oregon rust bucket. Its mostly solid now but still needs alot, but I'm not gonna cut the car up and say screw all my hard work. I would however put the car on the back burner and collect more parts to eventually have 2 cars.

It does not make sense to me to cut either car up. But it does make sense to make 1 solid car from the 2 and keep hunting for parts and keep welding on the gold one...

Worst cast... I have twins.

 

[GJS]

They are sitting out in the yard at my job...But I would NOT be making it a 70 Monaco. I'd cut all that out to make the car a 71. I want a 71... Not 70. Polara. Not Monaco.

The way I see it is I have a solid west coast body...what I initially thought I was getting with the Brougham...but I got an Oregon rust bucket. Its mostly solid now but still needs alot, but I'm not gonna cut the car up and say screw all my hard work. I would however put the car on the back burner and collect more parts to eventually have 2 cars.

It does not make sense to me to cut either car up. But it does make sense to make 1 solid car from the 2 and keep hunting for parts and keep welding on the gold one...

Worst cast... I have twins.

Ah, ok I get you. The worst case doesn't sound too bad ...

 

[LocuMob]

Fix both and be done. And stop selling cars you like!