65 Polara 500 426 What is it worth?

[Jim 68cuda]

Jim: Does the car run ? And are you thinking of buying it ?

No. If it were a convertible, I would be all over it. But, several months ago I bought my 318 66 Sport Fury hardtop for $13,500, and I don't want another C-body hardtop. Would love a big block C-body convertible though. I have heard the car start up and run, but I have not seen it driven. The elderly original owner seldom takes it out. Part of my thinking that it was worth over $20k was seeing a 65 383 Monaco at the Gartlits show the same weekend I was looking at this. The Monaco wasn't nearly as clean and original as this Polara and it was for sale for $19k.

 

[BigFury]

Hope it stays here in the states. No offense to the members overseas!

 

[Jim 68cuda]

A few more pictures. With the car in the garage, I hadn't noticed the lights in the grille before.

 

[dart4forte]

Given the strong market for these cars especially with the Street Wedge 8k is way low for this car. What are you using to come up with this number? If you are using Haggerty they go by the auction market which is certainly not a true reflection of the market.

A few more pictures. With the car in the garage, I hadn't noticed the lights in the grille before.

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Looks like some rust issues in the passenger side door. The rockers look a little suspicious. Still a cool car. What about underneath the car?

 

[Jim 68cuda]

In this photo, you can see that its had its share of chips in the paint from door dings over the years. I believe the concern about rust on the passenger side door is unfounded though. It appears to be an area where the paint has been scraped off (perhaps on a low wall or a high concrete curb). It appears to me to be surface rust only. I did not crawl under the car and the photos they took of the trunk weren't helpful as they left carpet and contents in the trunk and didn't show the actual trunk floor. The car looked very solid from what I could see when I saw it a few weeks ago. But photos of the underside would have been helpful.

 

[crv]

Hope it stays here in the states. No offense to the members overseas!

You're lucky I don't have the funds or it would be on its way over here quick smart!

 

[dart4forte]

At least the car has been driven. Looks to have the potential. Is there a reason they are selling?

 

[Jim 68cuda]

At least the car has been driven. Looks to have the potential. Is there a reason they are selling?

Elderly original owner doesn't drive it much any more. He lives in a retirement community where everyone uses golf carts to go everywhere. When he needs to drive a car, he prefers to drive his 90's Trans Am and I believe he also has a small SUV. For now he keeps the Trans Am in a neighbor's unused garage. If he sells the Dodge, he can bring the Trans Am home. I think the Dodge was too loud to park at the neighbor's without waking them up when ever he started it.

 

[dart4forte]

Where is this car?

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Where is this car?

Central Florida, not more than about 20 minutes from Ocala and the Don Gartlits Museum.

 

[BigFury]

You're lucky I don't have the funds or it would be on its way over here quick smart!

Wouldn't blame you a bit!

 

[cantflip]

One thing I've learned is that the car is worth what someone is willing to pay for it simple as that. There is an *** for every seat otherwise I would have 300 Darts on the lot versus 1. Usual rule is start higher than you expect and reduce price until it sells. It's apparent here that there are people prepared to pay mid teens as well as 5-8k so there are buyers just have to find the 1....use balloons they sell cars trust me

Say what you want... we know how that really works...

After all the anticipation and fantasy... you just wind up with an empty wallet... and maybe a balloon

 

[BigFury]

We can get nit picky and start pointing out deductions to justify the lower figures. The wrong wheels, those fog lights??, speaking of lights how's the wiring look? We need a factory 426 air cleaner and valve covers to make it better and thats opinion, the paint needs work... does it need repainted? who knows, hope not as original paint is always a plus. Does the trans work up to par? etc etc..Haven't seen the underside or trunk but based on what these pics show it's probably pretty clean underneath. How does the interior look? I stand by the opinion the car is "bought right" at 10 grand any more than 12 grand your in it too heavy, just my comfort level. It looks like a great survivor though and with "old man" pedigree to back it up!
Not saying it couldn't bring more $$ given a certain buyer. Thanks for sharing!

 

[dart4forte]

We can get nit picky and start pointing out deductions to justify the lower figures. The wrong wheels, those fog lights??, speaking of lights how's the wiring look? We need a factory 426 air cleaner and valve covers to make it better and thats opinion, the paint needs work... does it need repainted? who knows, hope not as original paint is always a plus. Does the trans work up to par? etc etc..Haven't seen the underside or trunk but based on what these pics show it's probably pretty clean underneath. How does the interior look? I stand by the opinion the car is "bought right" at 10 grand any more than 12 grand your in it too heavy, just my comfort level. It looks like a great survivor though and with "old man" pedigree to back it up!
Not saying it couldn't bring more $$ given a certain buyer. Thanks for sharing!

Your friend would definitely come out better if he had some detailing done. With a little detailing I m sure he would garner more money. You didn't answer my question on the intake and carb. For that matter what about the valve covers? I may be mistaken but I believe the carbs on the street Wedge were used on the later Hemi. I'd have to check with carb guru Scott Smith.

Also, I've checked several sources on the numbers and most information focuses on the Coronet with the 426 SW. I found several pieces of info on the Polara SW with the 4 speed which I'm sure is quite rare.

As a note we have a local here that has a survivor Plymouth Savoy 426 car with documented history. He took a little time to do some detailing on the car when he got it. It's almost totally original with the exception of the exhaust.

 

[Ripinator]

Well. . . We've asked for the build sheet. . . And I'd like to see the fender tag and the VIN too. I didn't see the "HEMI" reference.

Looks like the fender tag checks out with respect to the veracity of the engine, options etc. Thats good.

 

[Dobalovr]

Looks like the fender tag checks out with respect to the veracity of the engine, options etc. Thats good.

Why is the tag a different color? Is the tag the original color? Why is it screwed on and not riveted? I know the likely answers but I'm too lazy to look it up...Fender Tag Assistant!! Doug? Help?

 

[rexus31]

Why is the tag a different color? Is the tag the original color? Why is it screwed on and not riveted? I know the likely answers but I'm too lazy to look it up...Fender Tag Assistant!! Doug? Help?

Fender Tags were screwed on in '65, not riveted.

The tag has the correct color code listed (881; Yellow). The owner may have painted it white at some point.

 

[Ripinator]

Why is the tag a different color? Is the tag the original color? Why is it screwed on and not riveted? I know the likely answers but I'm too lazy to look it up...Fender Tag Assistant!! Doug? Help?

Yeah. I saw that too, but the tag does indicate the correct code for the yellow color on the car, and the tag doesn't look like it has more than one coat of paint on it. Maybe the factory did it that way ?

 

[bluefury361]

I see two senarios.
One, the car would be considered a survivor and just detailed to the best it can be, as is. In which case a buyer could pay a little more for it.
two. The car would need to be restored, body & paint, interior, chrome and all else related to a project like that.
coupled with purchase cost, a restoration will put it over the top compared to value when completed.

I see an $7-8K driver

 

[dart4forte]

I see two senarios.
One, the car would be considered a survivor and just detailed to the best it can be, as is. In which case a buyer could pay a little more for it.
two. The car would need to be restored, body & paint, interior, chrome and all else related to a project like that.
coupled with purchase cost, a restoration will put it over the top compared to value when completed.

I see an $7-8K driver

Agree but detailing to include detailing the paint I see 10-11k. That would be if the owner had all the cars documents i.e. Broadcast sheet, sales info, window sticker etc.