The fact that it has a Dart froint clip tells me this car was wrecked, probably long after new parts became unavailable for it, so they settled for a front clip off a wrecked Dart in a junk yard. Matadors as you know had a completely different grille/bumper [I should have my mouth washed out with soap for using such terms]'y.
1960 Dodge Matador (possibly ex CHP or police car)
Hey guys, so not exactly sure what part of the forum to ask this question, but this seemed
like the best place to start.
I recently picked up a 1960 Dodge Matador 4 dr sedan. Im in Az and this car came out
of the Van Nuys area of CA many yrs ago.
Im trying to decipher on whether or not this car is actually an ex-chp or police car used
on the streets of CA back in the 60s.
Under the hood is the factory 361 4v engine. It has ac, pb and someone added cruise control many
yrs ago too. Some of the things that people are saying are signs of it being an ex police car are:
Under the current paint you see is black paint, metal heat shield by the battery,rear view mirror is
hanging from the roof and not mounted on the dash, Polara back w/ Dart front end. Black speedo,
57 Plymouth steering wheel and a few other things.
Some other cool things about this car Ive not seen before on your avg sedan are: an added on
engine oil cooler w/ 2 remote filters in the LF fender behind the headlight and an added fuse block
in the trunk (Lower left side) Nevertheless on what it is or isnt, I figured alot of people would
find it interesting and this would be a good place to find our more info too on the car.
It runs, but not a driver as of yet, and very solid survivor, ....not sure what my plans are for it just yet.
One last thing, Ive been in the car business/world since I was in my teens, and never knew Dodge
made a Matador ever ! (maybe because it was just a one yr model)
![Tire Car Wheel Vehicle Land vehicle]()
Ill be posting a short video of it on our Youtube page very soon too.
like the best place to start.
I recently picked up a 1960 Dodge Matador 4 dr sedan. Im in Az and this car came out
of the Van Nuys area of CA many yrs ago.
Im trying to decipher on whether or not this car is actually an ex-chp or police car used
on the streets of CA back in the 60s.
Under the hood is the factory 361 4v engine. It has ac, pb and someone added cruise control many
yrs ago too. Some of the things that people are saying are signs of it being an ex police car are:
Under the current paint you see is black paint, metal heat shield by the battery,rear view mirror is
hanging from the roof and not mounted on the dash, Polara back w/ Dart front end. Black speedo,
57 Plymouth steering wheel and a few other things.
Some other cool things about this car Ive not seen before on your avg sedan are: an added on
engine oil cooler w/ 2 remote filters in the LF fender behind the headlight and an added fuse block
in the trunk (Lower left side) Nevertheless on what it is or isnt, I figured alot of people would
find it interesting and this would be a good place to find our more info too on the car.
It runs, but not a driver as of yet, and very solid survivor, ....not sure what my plans are for it just yet.
One last thing, Ive been in the car business/world since I was in my teens, and never knew Dodge
made a Matador ever ! (maybe because it was just a one yr model)
21 - 27 of 27 Posts
What's the VIN? If it has "9" in the second digit, it's a copcar. I have a 1961 former CHP Polara, with many of the same features as your car has. The white steering wheel is also a dead give-away that its a copcar. Other CA cities would buy from Dodges built to CHP standards, if not CHP, its still a Californian. Here's my 61
![Wheel Car Vehicle Land vehicle Tire]()
21 - 27 of 27 Posts
