1960 Dodge Polara

George Jetson would have loved the top-line 1960 Dodge Polara convertible. Although Dodge scored record sales for 1960 with new lower-priced and full-size Darts weren't as popular, the Polara remains a memorable car. 

The 1960 Dodge Polara featured taller tailfins and thrusting pod taillamps

After a modest 1959 recovery, Dodge sales boomed by 135 percent to nearly 368,000 for 1960. The main reason was that year's new Dart, a three-series line of lower-priced "standard" models featuring six and V-8 power, Dodge's first "unibody," somewhat extravagant styling, and attractive prices in the $2300-$3000 range.

The 1960 Dodge Polara featured swivel seats.

Covering the $3000-$3600 spread were similarly conceived "senior" Dodges: new Matadors and Polaras on a four-inch-longer wheelbase (122 inches). Styling here was even more flamboyant, with taller tailfins, thrusting pod taillamps, and an oddly shaped face. The top-line Polara included a $3416 convertible offered with 383 V-8s delivering up to 330 horsepower -- that from the hot dual-quad D-500 option with new "ram induction" manifolding. Futuristic gimmicks like swivel seats also returned.

Exact numbers aren't recorded, but Dodge likely built few 1960 Polara convertibles and only a handful with the D-500 package. That makes the red beauty here another rare Ram ragtop from the Jetsons period of Chrysler Corporation design.

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