What body is a Polara?
The Dodge Polara is a full-size Dodge automobile, offered in multiple body styles such as two-door coupes, two-door hardtops, four-door sedans, four-door hardtops, and convertibles.
From a historical perspective, the Polara name was used by Dodge for its top-trim, full-size lineup, and the body configuration varied by year and market. This article explains what "body" refers to in this context, and outlines the common body styles associated with Polara models over time.
Definition and context
In automotive language, "body" describes the main exterior structure of a car—the configuration that defines its silhouette and practicality, such as coupe, sedan, hardtop, or convertible. The Polara's body types correspond to Dodge's full-size models during its production era and reflect shifts in design philosophy from traditional sedans to more open, pillarless hardtops.
Body styles by era
Below are the typical body styles that Dodge offered for the Polara during the most visible periods. Availability can vary by year and market.
- Two‑door coupe: A compact, sporty two‑door variant with a fixed roof line often shared with the hardtop’s styling and trim levels.
- Two‑door hardtop: A pillarless two‑door body with a prominent roofline and C-/D-pillar styling, common on early Polara models.
- Four‑door sedan: A conventional four‑door body emphasizing practicality and interior space.
- Four‑door hardtop: A four‑door pillarless option that combined the elegance of a hardtop with four doors for practicality.
- Convertible: In select years, Polara offered a drop‑top variant built on the same large chassis, prized for open‑air cruising.
Note: The exact availability of each body type varied by model year and market. Early Polara cars were frequently seen with two‑door coupes and hardtops, while later years favored four‑door sedans and hardtops; convertibles appeared during certain years as well.
Where the Polara fit in Dodge's lineup
The Polara was positioned as a higher‑trim, full‑size model within Dodge's lineup, sharing mechanical foundations with other Dodge full-size lines but carrying distinctive styling cues and equipment levels that defined its identity across its production span.
Why body style matters for collectors
For collectors, the body style—whether it's a two‑door hardtop or a four‑door sedan—affects value, parts compatibility, and restoration approach. Polara variants are prized for their period styling, chrome detailing, and the spacious interiors common to 1960s full‑size cruisers.
Summary
In car‑industry terms, a Polara is a full‑size Dodge with multiple possible body styles, reflecting its role as a high‑trim, early‑to‑mid‑1960s cruiser. The exact body configuration depends on the model year, with two‑door coupes and hardtops, four‑door sedans and hardtops, and occasional convertibles, all representing the Polara's broad family of large‑car bodies.
Summary: A Polara is not a single body type but a full-size Dodge model offered in several body configurations around the early 1960s to the early 1970s, with choices tailored to luxury trim and customer preferences.
What is a Polara?
"Polara" can refer to the Italian surname possibly meaning "polar" or "of the pole," the name of a Dodge automobile model, or a supplier of accessible pedestrian signals. The specific meaning depends on the context, though the most prominent connections are to the Italian name and the vintage car.
Surname
- Meaning: Likely linked to the Italian word "polare," meaning "polar" or "of the pole".
- Origin: Believed to have originated in southern Italy, particularly Sicily, and could refer to a connection with northern regions or a geographical feature.
Automobile
- Meaning: The name of the Dodge Polara, a full-size and later mid-size car made by Dodge from 1960 to 1973.
- Origin: The name was a marketing attempt to evoke the excitement of the Space Race, referencing the Polaris star.
Business
- Meaning: A company name, Polara Enterprises, which is a leading supplier of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and ADA-compliant push buttons in North America.
Other uses
- Related to the word "polar": "Polara" is sometimes used as an alternative spelling or in other contexts where the meaning is related to the adjective "polar".
- Company product: Polara is a brand of Italian beverages [Links: img1, img2, img3, img4, img5, img6, img7].
What body is a 64 Polara?
In 1964 Polara was the full side Dodge. The car in the photo is the mid size or B body Dodge. The mid size Dodges were available as 330 or 440 trim packages.
Is a Polara ab body?
Among the B-Bodied 1962 Dodges was a bucket-seated sporty model called the Polara 500. It was available as a two-door hardtop and a convertible, and a four-door hardtop was added in December.
What is a Dodge Polara?
The 1960 Dodge Polara was the first-ever muscle car made by Dodge in the 1960s and ended up being the most successful Dodge nameplate. That's a mouthful. From 1960 through 1970 when the Dodge Challenger overtook the Dodge brand as its top Dodge vehicle, the Dodge Polara started it all.
