It's Over

[polara71]

Thats a great theory but probably incorrect. Yes, 842 built, we know of approximately 80, after keeping track for 30 years. Of those 80 presume half are driveable . Of course we are hoping many more of grandpas cars surface but that time is passing fast

 

[1978 NYB]

I'm optimistic more of Grandpa cars will surface in the next 10 years. May even be more from factory/corporate guys in the Motor City area.

 

[polara71]

The people that were buying new large cars were older folks, if a convertible usually they were empty-nesters then. When my convertible was bought new the owners were in their early 40's with no kids. They kept that car 33 years.

The percentages seem to disagree

 

[commando1]

I'm optimistic more of Grandpa cars will surface in the next 10 years.

They'll be beige Camry's.......

 

[1978 NYB]

They'll be beige Camry's.......

I FN hope not!!! LOL!!!

You're on a roll today Stan!!! Thanks!

 

[cm23uoc]

At best double the figure of the known ones with every rotten fragment of such a car included; still impressive survival rate if compared to the station wagons for example. Surely the converts were treated better overall, remember there was a time people even thought convertible production would be ruled out by government for safety reason, there was quite a run for the last Cadillac convertibles around 1975 with some hopes for high gains in value.

 

[1978 NYB]

Those people were pissed off when American convertible production started again.

 

[polara71]

At best double the figure of the known ones with every rotten fragment of such a car included; still impressive survival rate if compared to the station wagons for example. Surely the converts were treated better overall, remember there was a time people even thought convertible production would be ruled out by government for safety reason, there was quite a run for the last Cadillac convertibles around 1975 with some hopes for high gains in value.

All valid points and convertible production was halted and for safety reasons.. thank you Ralph Nader.

Wagons were used as pick up trucks and work vehicles as well as the family hauler which is why they arent around and are so hard to find.

I cant Double the figure of the ones found, including the rotten fragments.......... so many have been crushed already...

Carlisle 2003


Carlisle 2011...............whats left of her

 

[cm23uoc]

All ballpark estimates for sure as you will never be able to trace all the ones existing anyways.

 

[polara71]

of course but to assume I can believe there are another 80+ cars hiding out there is ludicrous.

 

[1978 NYB]

Maybe not 80 more.... but I think there is a bunch hidden from coast to coast.

Maybe one or two with less than 500 miles?

What is the lowest mileage Polara rag that you know about?

 

[cm23uoc]

of course but to assume I can believe there are another 80+ cars hiding out there is ludicrous.

One thing where the double the figure theory always worked for me was the number of rust spots found during inspection before buying a car.

 

[Greg B.]

It is missing the headrests though...

As in, ordered originally without them, or gone?

I love the car. I would love it more with a different color interior. But I gather that you could only get the buckets/buddy seat combo in black in a convertible that year. Dodge, what were you thinking?

Is that a bumper sticker on the rear? Hope the chrome is OK underneath. That isn't an emblem bumper I see on there, is it?

Anyway, I still love it. Mark, when you decide to sell, keep me in mind...

 

[detmatt]

Mark you owe me a piece of cardboard your car is a leaker...
Had headrests and they are Mia.

 

[detmatt]

The bumpers are not perfect but they do have character.
a U of M alumn, this thing has hints of maze and blue from front to back!

 

[Fratzog]

It's a happy occasion any time one if these cars is discovered and saved. A mutual aquaintence of Dave and myself who also has one of these cars (Jon in upper NY state) found a couple 70 Polara ragtops rotting away in a little known local yard. The owner was unwilling to part them. Same old story wants to sell them whole for more than they are worth. They will disolve to nothing shortly if they haven't already. I suspect there are similar examples across the continent. Keep in mind that 99.9% of the population have no concept of what a 70 Polara ragtop is. Even in the Mopar hobby the % is probably not much better. In other words there are still some out there but no one gives a rats *** and they will rot into the ground before being discovered. Sorry I'm just pessemistic today.

 

[polara71]

It's a happy occasion any time one if these cars is discovered and saved. A mutual aquaintence of Dave and myself who also has one of these cars (Jon in upper NY state) found a couple 70 Polara ragtops rotting away in a little known local yard. The owner was unwilling to part them. Same old story wants to sell them whole for more than they are worth. They will disolve to nothing shortly if they haven't already. I suspect there are similar examples across the continent. Keep in mind that 99.9% of the population have no concept of what a 70 Polara ragtop is. Even in the Mopar hobby the % is probably not much better. In other words there are still some out there but no one gives a rats *** and they will rot into the ground before being discovered. Sorry I'm just pessemistic today.

These are those .................................................................

And these are others...................................................................




I have others .................................

 

[polara71]

As in, ordered originally without them, or gone?

I love the car. I would love it more with a different color interior. But I gather that you could only get the buckets/buddy seat combo in black in a convertible that year. Dodge, what were you thinking?

Is that a bumper sticker on the rear? Hope the chrome is OK underneath. That isn't an emblem bumper I see on there, is it?

Anyway, I still love it. Mark, when you decide to sell, keep me in mind...

Yes, according to the interior book for 1970 Dodge the only color of buckets you could get was black in the Polara Convertible

 

[mdh157]

but you could get white in the htps? what a joke.

btw gents, Matt has been pilfering parts from my car and in the process he found this:



what impresses me is hte condition of the underside of that seat.......does not look like it has been a home for moisture or mice

 

[mdh157]

of course but to assume I can believe there are another 80+ cars hiding out there is ludicrous.

i'll bet there are at least 50.........and if you think I am going to stop looking, think again......this will be more fun now that i don't feel pressured to find anything.