1961 Dodge Styling

[John348]

On 9/28/2024 at 5:22 AM, kgreen said:

I think it's really cool that you did this restoration and I appreciate it.  Ilove seeing the variety of cars produced over time.

Well said.

Could you just imagine the resale that car had in 1966? No wonder none seem to be left.

The car looks so good with the bias ply's on it! Just has the right stance great job with the restoration. Hopefully you can get it to some AACA Meets.

Edited Sunday at 02:16 PM by John348 (see edit history)

[61polara]

As an additional note, the 1961 Polara was assembled in the Chrysler Jefferson Ave. plant along with Chryslers as they were on the same wheelbase.  All other Dodges were assembled at Dodge Main.

[mercman from oz]

1961 Dodge Models

[f.f.jones]

 

 

merc man from oz: Thanks for the colorful brochure. What was the hierarchy of all those different models, price wise?   (as in Buick's Electra, Invicta and LeSabre)

Also what was the 1960 - 1961 full sized Dart and how did it work into the model scheme?

 

 

 

[mercman from oz]

The general acceptance of the design of the 1961 Dodge must have been positive, as the front clip was used again in the hastily contrived Custom 880 series. This car is a 1962 Dodge Custom 880 Convertible.

 

[mercman from oz]

f.f.jones - The 1961 Dodge Dart was available in two series, base Seneca, middle Pioneer and top Phoenix.
All were on a 118" Wheelbase, except for the station wagons that rode on the longer 122" wheelbase.
The series that Dodge called Dart was introduced in 1960.
They were in the same price range of the full size Plymouth, Chevrolet and Fords.
The senior Dodge were on a longer 122" wheelbase and were called Polara.
As I live in Australia, I have no idea of the original prices.
I hope that this helps. Regards Mercman <><

[mercman from oz]

Chrysler Australia offered the 1961 Dodge as a sedan only, but they cheated by calling it a Dodge Phoenix.
In actual fact, it was the mid-range Pioneer series, and as such lacked the chrome window surrounds that the Phoenix models had.
Initially, all models lacked the double strips with aluminium trim in the middle.
However, in an effort to make the car look more like the Phoenix, an extra strip was added with bright filler.
This extra strip was added below the original Pioneer strip, but it seems most people were fooled by this addition.
Chrysler Australia offered USA Dodge models from 1958 to 1964, and from 1965 to 1971, the Dodges were re-badged Plymouths.
Below is the illustration of the local 1961 Dodge Phoenix. Note the single chrome body trim.

[mercman from oz]

In these original Newspaper Advertisements, the top Ad is early with the revised Ad below
You can see the extra added chrome trim on the revised Ad.

 

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of a local 1961 Dodge Phoenix.
Note that this car has the extra side trim that was added part way through the model year.
In my earlier Post, I mentioned that we got Dodges from 1958 to 1964 the re-badged Plymouths from 1965 to 1971.
All years came with Full Wheel Covers, except for the 1961 models.
The owner of this car has added 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Spinner Wheel Covers.

[8E45E]

3 hours ago, f.f.jones said:

 

 

merc man from oz: Thanks for the colorful brochure. What was the hierarchy of all those different models, price wise?   (as in Buick's Electra, Invicta and LeSabre)

Also what was the 1960 - 1961 full sized Dart and how did it work into the model scheme?

In Canada, it would be considered a continuation of the Plymouth-based Canadian Dodge VIscount/Regent/Mayfair, which were all dropped after 1959.

 

Craig

[John348]

10 hours ago, mercman from oz said:

Here is a picture of a local 1961 Dodge Phoenix.
Note that this car has the extra side trim that was added part way through the model year.
In my earlier Post, I mentioned that we got Dodges from 1958 to 1964 the re-badged Plymouths from 1965 to 1971.
All years came with Full Wheel Covers, except for the 1961 models.
The owner of this car has added 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Spinner Wheel Covers.

That color does not help the accent of the design, might be me. 

[mercman from oz]

That Yellow is not original. How about this one.

[8E45E]

3 hours ago, mercman from oz said:

That Yellow is not original. How about this one.

It sure looks close to Taxicab Yellow, even though the car in the photo is not dressed up to look like one.

 

Craig

[61polara]

On 9/30/2024 at 7:17 PM, mercman from oz said:

That Yellow is not original. How about this one.

That appears to be a 1962 880 grill not a 1961.  There are no slots in the wide band around the grill as a 1961 would have.

[Ozstatman]

2 hours ago, 61polara said:

That appears to be a 1962 880 grill not a 1961.  There are no slots in the wide band around the grill as a 1961 would have.

That is an Australian delivered car, that might be why IDK.

[mercman from oz]

This is the 1961 Dodge that is a real Gem, the 1961 Dodge Polara Hardtop Station Wagon.