I don’t always pick up AW (mostly because my Walmart no longer carry them), but when I do, I pick something badass.
I posted a quick teaser of this beauty last night and some of you can’t wait for Mopar Monday and want me to share it the next day. So here it is.
For some odd reason, I really like the Dodge Polara, I actually find it quite elegant and yet muscular all at once and I love the name more than anything. If FCA want to bring back a classic name for their next new model it should be this. I was a bit angry that my local stores doesn’t carry new AWs anymore therefore I missed out on the previous Polara AW released. So this more evil, more powerful 426 Max Wedge version shall fulfill my want nicely.
In 1963, NHRA loosened up the regulations on engine sizes for racing which led Dodge to crank an already beast of an engine to 11: the 426. The engine was originally 413 c.i.d a year before and was very successful on the dragstrips winning over 100 records across the country. The engine then got bored out to 426 after the rules were lightened up, added new heavier duty headers, pistons, crankshaft, exhaust, and larger twin four barrel carburetors. The engine was then crammed into mundane models of the time such as this Polara and you got yourself a car that eat 1/4 mile in mid 7 sec and still can be parked on your driveway. Another great thing about cars like these is that there are no special badging to indicate what the car is packing underneath, a classic sleeper. The 426 was offered as a very special option at a hefty $545 back in the day and only a few selected dealerships got them (kind of like GM’s COPO division) and therefore only 44 Polara Max Wedge known to exist.
AW did an incredible job on this car, details are excellent with no ridiculous QC issues which is exactly what I expect for a $6 diecast. They even went to great length of not just mold a new hood which is one of only few hints to differentiate a Max Wedge, but also make sure to correctly mold in the scoops so you can see the “Hemi Orange” engine block through it.
Time to hit the streets
Hope you enjoy this post and worth the wait, let me know which photo you like the best. I do have an interesting Mopar Monday post to share so stay tuned for that. Cheers.