HELP! 1967 POLARA 500 440hp & 4speed PRODUCTION INFO (GALEN)

[DAGGUM MOPARS]

Hello there,

I am a brand-new member; I joined the forum hoping that you could possibly help me with some info. I recently located, but not yet purchased a 1967 Polara 500, and have been trying to find production info. In my searches, I came across a post (from 68 4spd Fury) that had a screen shot from old Galen book for a 1967 Monaco 500 breaking down specific engine/trans combos and how many produced. Can you please help me with this info for the 1967 Polara 500? The one I found is a 440 Magnum with 4 speed trans. I think it's pretty rare, just trying to figure out as much as I can before finalizing the deal. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[CBODY67]

FIRST thing to do is to use the vehicle's Data Plate to determine if the car is an original-build 4-spd! Many were converted, not OEM production installations.

Then decode to see if it is a real 440/375 and not a 440/350 car. Check the numbers on the carb, too, vs the carb numbers in the Factory Service Manual (www.mymopar.com might need to manually input that address). Of course, the VIN's engine digit/letter will note this, too.

The "500" option is bucket seat trim, but check www.hamtramck-historical .com (might need to manually input that address) "Library" section Dealer Order Guide to verify what comes with that bucket seat option.

Now, in reality, ANY Polara with a 440 (ether one) that is not a VIN-specific police vehicle, will be a relatively rare vehicle. Add in the "500" option and the numbers will drop even more.

So, THOSE things will make the car more "rare" than not, by themselves as those would be "low installation options". In many cases, Chrysler used "Percent of Installation" than hard numbers as GM normally did. Be advised, too, that "rarity" does not always equate into $$$$$.

Then, IF the car is a genuine factory-produced 4-speed car, the numbers will drop even more. During those times, the TorqueFlight was acknowledged to be as quick as a 4-spd car in the quarter mile drag races. Times of 4-spd cars CAN be dependent upon the person doing the shifting! So not nearly as much reason to get a 4-spd rather than a Chrysler TF automatic. The GM THM400 and Ford's then-new C-6 automatic were close, but not the same, by observation. The TF727 was still the "King" of "Quick and Firm Shifting Automatics", back then. AND, automatics didn't miss shifts in "D". End result, NO dealer would have ordered such a car for "general stock inventory", so it was most probably special-ordered by a cash-deposit customer. So look at the REST of the content on the car. As in no power-robbing options . . . like factory a/c, no power steering, etc., too.

End result, what might seem to be a killer car on paper might not be the best car to live with for an extended period of time. General condition can play a role, too! Repaired body damage and RUST can be issues, possibly. Oh, and color combinations can be a player, too.

First verify if the transmission is OEM-produced from the factory. Everything else from there is "downhill".

Just some thoughts and observations,
CBODY67

 

[DAGGUM MOPARS]

FIRST thing to do is to use the vehicle's Data Plate to determine if the car is an original-build 4-spd! Many were converted, not OEM production installations.

Then decode to see if it is a real 440/375 and not a 440/350 car. Check the numbers on the carb, too, vs the carb numbers in the Factory Service Manual (www.mymopar.com might need to manually input that address). Of course, the VIN's engine digit/letter will note this, too.

The "500" option is bucket seat trim, but check www.hamtramck-historical .com (might need to manually input that address) "Library" section Dealer Order Guide to verify what comes with that bucket seat option.

Now, in reality, ANY Polara with a 440 (ether one) that is not a VIN-specific police vehicle, will be a relatively rare vehicle. Add in the "500" option and the numbers will drop even more.

So, THOSE things will make the car more "rare" than not, by themselves as those would be "low installation options". In many cases, Chrysler used "Percent of Installation" than hard numbers as GM normally did. Be advised, too, that "rarity" does not always equate into $$$$$.

Then, IF the car is a genuine factory-produced 4-speed car, the numbers will drop even more. During those times, the TorqueFlight was acknowledged to be as quick as a 4-spd car in the quarter mile drag races. Times of 4-spd cars CAN be dependent upon the person doing the shifting! So not nearly as much reason to get a 4-spd rather than a Chrysler TF automatic. The GM THM400 and Ford's then-new C-6 automatic were close, but not the same, by observation. The TF727 was still the "King" of "Quick and Firm Shifting Automatics", back then. AND, automatics didn't miss shifts in "D". End result, NO dealer would have ordered such a car for "general stock inventory", so it was most probably special-ordered by a cash-deposit customer. So look at the REST of the content on the car. As in no power-robbing options . . . like factory a/c, no power steering, etc., too.

End result, what might seem to be a killer car on paper might not be the best car to live with for an extended period of time. General condition can play a role, too! Repaired body damage and RUST can be issues, possibly. Oh, and color combinations can be a player, too.

First verify if the transmission is OEM-produced from the factory. Everything else from there is "downhill".

Just some thoughts and observations,
CBODY67

Thank you for the info!
I decoded the fender tag this morning,

440hp
4 speed manual floor shift
Unknown axle code
Bucket seats black interior
Dark red metallic paint
Front disk brakes
Black vinyl top
Console
Special order

 

[rd92west]

3.23 sure grip

 

[RemCharger]

Hello there,

I am a brand-new member; I joined the forum hoping that you could possibly help me with some info. I recently located, but not yet purchased a 1967 Polara 500, and have been trying to find production info. In my searches, I came across a post (from 68 4spd Fury) that had a screen shot from old Galen book for a 1967 Monaco 500 breaking down specific engine/trans combos and how many produced. Can you please help me with this info for the 1967 Polara 500? The one I found is a 440 Magnum with 4 speed trans. I think it's pretty rare, just trying to figure out as much as I can before finalizing the deal. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Awesome car!! Especially that original!
I don't have the Galen books, but in them my 68 Monaco 500 shows as 1 of 7 440mg 4spd. Does that include Canada, not sure. Looks like you've still got the chrome valvecovers. There were no 350horse 440s in ply/ Dodge C's. And the axle code shows the proper 3.31 Dana 53 suregrip axle( the only one available with the engine trans package.
Definitely buy it. Assuming there's some body left. It should be 1 of 20 or less I'd presume

 

[Fury Pursuit]

3.23 sure grip

Dana 53; with 440HP, 4 speed manual transmission in a C-Body it was standard, and more than did the HP job!

I don't have my Wards books handy, but it's likely less than a hand full built at most.

Does the car have the additional 4 speed, firewall torsion support bar?

 

[69monaco]

Looks like you've still got the chrome valvecovers.

was that factory like the 426 street wedge cars ?

 

[Fury Pursuit]

was that factory like the 426 street wedge cars ?

1967

 

[69CoronetRT]

View attachment 738647View attachment 738648Thank you for the info!
I decoded the fender tag this morning,

440hp
4 speed manual floor shift
Unknown axle code
Bucket seats black interior
Dark red metallic paint
Front disk brakes
Black vinyl top
Console
Special order

1) Welcome
2) Nice find!
3) Rear axle 38 is the C body four speed Dana 9.25 with 3:31 gears and sure grip.
4) u/1 simply means ordered. Someone sat down and checked off boxes. It does not mean special ordered.

 

[69CoronetRT]

Dana 53; with 440HP, 4 speed manual transmission in a C-Body it was standard, and more than did the HP job!

I don't have my Wards books handy, but it's likely less than a hand full built at most.

Does the car have the additional 4 speed, firewall torsion support bar?

"Hand full"? Wards says 0.1% of 55,588 full size Dodge C bodies (Polara, Monaco et al) is about 55 cars with a four speed. That includes the possibility of all D*XX models and tops vs convertibles.

Very, very nice find.

 

[GOLDMYN]

buy it, 2232 total made regardless of engine, any chance pic of the whole car. 8:45X15 tires size w/budd disc brakes, it should have HD suspension, also max cooling. I'm thrilled for your find!

 

[CBODY67]

ALL cars were "ordered" by the dealership. Whether for "stock" or specifically for a customer. Anything not "for stock" was usually considered "special ordered".

The power front disc brakes make it even more "rare", for that model year. But they fit into the other ene of performance, as in stopping power. Just the opposite of acceleration performance.

That color combination, in spite of the equipment, would make it a spiffy-looking Polara that was nice to be seen in. Hopefully the price is not too out of reach! Looks like it needs a good clean-up.

CBODY67

 

[413]

When u 1 is coded it means a paying customer ordered the car.

 

[DAGGUM MOPARS]

Here are a few pics of the car as requested. Not much to look at. Been parked same spot since 1979. Windshield has been broken out for some time. Miraculously nothing is sitting in the dirt. From what I can tell the floor pans, and rockers are very solid. Surprising with the broken windshield. Interior is totally roached but mostly there. Found some damage to one of the trunk extensions but most of the trunk floor in good shape. I had the tarps off yesterday but did not photo without. Has pretty cool 'DISK BRAKE' hubcaps still in trunk. Missing a few pieces of body trim. Includes a parts car pretty complete roller with no engine or trans

 

[RemCharger]

Get those cars on a trailer now.

 

[MoPar~Man]

"Hand full"? Wards says 0.1% of 55,588 full size Dodge C bodies (Polara, Monaco et al) is about 55 cars with a four speed. That includes the possibility of all D*XX models and tops vs convertibles.

Very, very nice find.

I assume that the Polara row includes Monaco. I question the 100% number for V-8 equipped cars. They sold no 4-door Monaco's or Polara's as taxis with slant-6?

If the 3-spd was more common than the 4-sp (for GM and Ford also) then if you're going to have a column for standard trans numbers why not make it 3-spd? If 3-spd + auto doesn't equal 100% then the diff is 4-spd.

 

[69CoronetRT]

ALL cars were "ordered" by the dealership. Whether for "stock" or specifically for a customer. Anything not "for stock" was usually considered "special ordered".

The power front disc brakes make it even more "rare", for that model year. But they fit into the other ene of performance, as in stopping power. Just the opposite of acceleration performance.

That color combination, in spite of the equipment, would make it a spiffy-looking Polara that was nice to be seen in. Hopefully the price is not too out of reach! Looks like it needs a good clean-up.

CBODY67

There are direct retail customer orders, dealer orders (dealer demo cars, inventory, local driver's ed cars, etc. all with the intent of retail sale at a later date), fleet orders and sales bank orders.

Special order includes cars that are requested outside of normal ordering parameters such as fleet specific colors or schemes (cop cars), colors not released for a specific model line ( a C body only color on an A body), trim waiver cars (999 interiors), or cars that required administrative or production work out side or normal parameters or released options and trim such as parade cars, giveaway cars, package cars to outside vendors, etc.

Checking boxes of available options on an order sheet for imminent or intended future retail sale is generally not 'special ordered' as it requires no special handling or attention in production or administration. This car was customer ordered.

 

[69CoronetRT]

I assume that the Polara row includes Monaco. I question the 100% number for V-8 equipped cars. They sold no 4-door Monaco's or Polara's as taxis with slant-6?

If the 3-spd was more common than the 4-sp (for GM and Ford also) then if you're going to have a column for standard trans numbers why not make it 3-spd? If 3-spd + auto doesn't equal 100% then the diff is 4-spd.

The line listing includes the make and line not sub models or name plates. For example, a GTX would be under the Belvedere (R = Plymouth B body line). A Coronet R/T would be under the Coronet (W = Dodge B body) listing. A Sport Fury under Fury (P = Plymouth C body), etc.

Percentages are not exact and may not add up to 100%

Anytime you crunch numbers like this, you cannot get an exact number but you can get close approximations. It also matters whether Canada and Export cars are included in the data or only US sold cars.

So in this case, the data tells us 'about', 'around' or 'approximately' 55 1967 Dodge full size cars came with a four speed. We do not know the nameplate or body type breakdown so we cannot say there were XX number of Polara 2 dr hard tops or XX number of convertibles with a four speed. The data in front of us doesn't break down like that.

 

[MoPar~Man]

The line listing includes the make and line not sub models or name plates. For example, a GTX would be under the Belvedere (R = Plymouth B body line). A Coronet R/T would be under the Coronet (W = Dodge B body) listing. A Sport Fury under Fury (P = Plymouth C body), etc.

Percentages are not exact and may not add up to 100%

Anytime you crunch numbers like this, you cannot get an exact number but you can get close approximations. It also matters whether Canada and Export cars are included in the data or only US sold cars.

So in this case, the data tells us 'about', 'around' or 'approximately' 55 1967 Dodge full size cars came with a four speed. We do not know the nameplate or body type breakdown so we cannot say there were XX number of Polara 2 dr hard tops or XX number of convertibles with a four speed. The data in front of us doesn't break down like that.

I just thought it would have been more useful to report 3-spd numbers instead of 4-spd. And I still think they must have sold more than 50 Polara's / Monaco's with the slant. The 100% in the V8 column I don't buy.

 

[CBODY67]

There are direct retail customer orders, dealer orders (dealer demo cars, inventory, local driver's ed cars, etc. all with the intent of retail sale at a later date), fleet orders and sales bank orders.

Special order includes cars that are requested outside of normal ordering parameters such as fleet specific colors or schemes (cop cars), colors not released for a specific model line ( a C body only color on an A body), trim waiver cars (999 interiors), or cars that required administrative or production work out side or normal parameters or released options and trim such as parade cars, giveaway cars, package cars to outside vendors, etc.

Checking boxes of available options on an order sheet for imminent or intended future retail sale is generally not 'special ordered' as it requires no special handling or attention in production or administration. This car was customer ordered.

Your paragraphs #1 & #3 define vehicles "ordered for stock". Paragraph #2 defines "special order" vehicles to most people.

Fleet vehicles were a different situation, to me, usually ordered with factory price assistance in order for the dealer/corp to "get the bid".

"Sales Bank" cars were a different situation. Built to keep the lines running in times of slower sales, but also vehicles built at the end of the model run with possibly unusual color and equipment options. Usually sold at discounted prices to the dealers, peddled by the sales reps as needed. The "ideal" situation was to build popular-optioned cars for faster delivery to dealers. Just that that didn't always work out that way.

Enjoy!
CBODY67