Upside of downsizing

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/10/2003 (8080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IN the early 1960s, buying a full-size Dodge or Plymouth meant you got just that, a full-size car.

The entry-level Dart model featured a 118-inch wheelbase, while the Polara rode on a generous 122-inch platform that matched the Chrysler’s dimensions. With fierce competition between the big three automakers, each manufacturer was constantly trying to second guess the others and come out with new models that would entice buyers into the showrooms.

One wave that was sweeping Detroit was the move to smaller cars both in the compact and intermediate segments of the market. While manufacturers worked to fill this market with new vehicles, General Motors was making statements about actually downsizing its full-size ’62 Chevrolet from its 119-inch wheelbase to 116-inches. Erroneously believing Chevrolet, Dodge and Plymouth adapted styling meant for a wheelbase of 119 inches to one of 116 inches. This resulted in sweeping changes to the look and size of the cars and some felt they were oddly styled. The ill-timed move resulted in plummeting sales for both Dodge and Plymouth.

The upside of the downsizing was a lighter, better handling car. It was easier to park, got better fuel mileage and when equipped with one of the Dodge Ramcharger V8 engines, it turned into a highway rocket. By 1964, the Chrysler Corporation continued its recovery and Dodge celebrated its Golden Anniversary with a moderately restyled car exhibiting a very pleasant new look. The clean functional styling couldn’t have come at a better time and Dodge model year output topped an unprecedented 500,000 units.

For Doug and Carol Mosset of Starbuck, their ’64 Dodge Polara comes as the result of attending car shows for the past 35 years. “I’ve always been interested in cars,” says Mosset. “I grew up with Fords, owned a Mercury as my first new car, but I just wasn’t able to find what I wanted until a fellow at a Pony Corral Cruise Night mentioned he had a ’64 Dodge Polara for sale.” Having owned a ’64 Dodge years earlier, Mosset was eager to have a look at it and arranged to view the car in La Broquerie.

Mosset found the body was reasonably solid and the black paint job was fairly recent, but the interior needed work and the automatic transmission had more leaks than a fountain. The first order of business was to get the transmission leak fixed, so it was off to Fort Richmond Transmissions for a thorough check-up and new gaskets. Turning to the inside, the worn carpet was removed and replaced with a new one purchased from Softy’s Speed Shop. Then the car was turned over to Signature Cover in Elm Creek where the new gold and black vinyl seat upholstery and rear parcel shelf were installed, and the old door panels and side boards were dyed to match the new upholstery.

Under the hood, the original 230 horsepower, 318 cubic inch V8 received a valve job and complete tune up from Ken Schade and Chevrier Radiator Service rebuilt the radiator with a new high-energy core to keep the engine cool during those warm summer cruises. To keep it all rolling down the road, Mosset installed a new set of whitewall radial tires.

Nicely equipped with the 318 V8, push-button Torque-Flite automatic transmission, dual exhaust system, power steering and power brakes, electric clock, Music Master push-button AM radio and deluxe wheel covers, the old Dodge is as easy to drive as most new vehicles, but it gives you a little extra. “Whenever you drive it people give you the thumbs up and a smile,” says Mosset. One afternoon while he was filling up the fuel tank in Oak Bluff, a 70s-something gentleman approached and said he had owned a ’64 Dodge and asked Mosset if he could sit behind the wheel for a few minutes. After removing the keys, the fellow slid into the driver’s seat and Mosset went in to pay for the gas and putter in the convenience store for a few minutes. “I could see through the store window as he looked at the dash and peered out over the fenders and hood, it was if he was back in 1964,” says Mosset.

Since purchasing the Polara in June of 1999, the Mossets have logged over 6,700 trouble-free miles attending local Winnipeg- and surrounding-area car shows throughout the summer. “It’s really been a great car for us, and we’re happy to have it,” says Mosset.