Looking for a project, have some questions...

[Geeky1]

Hi all. I realize this isn't related directly to A-bodies, but there seem to be very few Mopar forums out there, and I'm having some trouble getting answers so I was hoping you guys might be able to help me out.

I'm somewhat-seriously considering buying a car to play around with... I have a pretty good knowledge of how cars work, but I've got almost no hands-on experience with working on them, and I'm hesitant to work on the car I drive both because it's not the simplest car in the world by far, and because I can't do much with it, as I have to have it running to drive to school the next day...

So anyhow, I'm looking at a 1964 Dodge Polara sedan. However, I know nothing about these cars. So. What do I need to know? Are there any areas on the car that are particularly common places for rust to develop? Can they be made to handle reasonably well for their size? I don't expect an M3 or anything like that but I'd like it to be able to go around corners without scuffing the lettering off the tires... ;)) What kind of parts interchangeability is there between the sedans and the coupes and convertibles? Is there any chance of just dropping a dash out of a '65 in (I don't like the 64's)? Most of these cars obviously didn't come with A/C, and, uh, I *need* A/C. So. Are there any aftermarket systems for these cars? I checked with Vintage Air (the only company that came to mind off the top of my head) and they didn't have anything that I saw specifically for the Polaras... Is there anything in particular I should look for with the 318ci engine? Any common issues? Also, does it have any potential to put out a respectable amount of power (i.e. 450+ net hp) or should I just pull it and put a 383 or a 440 in it?

So yeah, basically I'd be interested in hearing any info or opinions you guys have on the Polaras, along with any suggested reading. I'm also open to suggestions for other cars that I might want to look at, although they have to have been made no later than 1975, I've gotta be able to pick one up that's got a decent body and runs for about $1200 or less, and it has to be made by any of the Mopar divisions, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Lincoln, Mercury, or AMC. Oh, and I'm partial to bigger cars like the Polara. I'm not much of a Ford/Chevy fan, although I won't rule either one out entirely.

Thanks in advance.

 

[68gts340]

personally, i would look into cars in the late 60's or early 70 's , parts are much easier to find.

 

[fstbackfish]

So anyhow, I'm looking at a 1964 Dodge Polara sedan. However, I know nothing about these cars. So. What do I need to know? Are there any areas on the car that are particularly common places for rust to develop? Can they be made to handle reasonably well for their size? I don't expect an M3 or anything like that but I'd like it to be able to go around corners without scuffing the lettering off the tires... ;)) What kind of parts interchangeability is there between the sedans and the coupes and convertibles? Is there any chance of just dropping a dash out of a '65 in (I don't like the 64's)? Most of these cars obviously didn't come with A/C, and, uh, I *need* A/C. So. Are there any aftermarket systems for these cars? I checked with Vintage Air (the only company that came to mind off the top of my head) and they didn't have anything that I saw specifically for the Polaras... Is there anything in particular I should look for with the 318ci engine? Any common issues? Also, does it have any potential to put out a respectable amount of power (i.e. 450+ net hp) or should I just pull it and put a 383 or a 440 in it

Those are really cool cars,But like 68gts340 said......There isn't alot of repo parts for em.