This month, Lone Star Legends features the 1966 Plamonaco. At
least that's what Jim Bagnard likes to call his 1966 Polara that
shares parts from a 1966 Monaco.
Growing up with his family's 1966 Polara, Jim always appreciated the car's styling and 383 c.i. engine. When Jim got his drivers license his dad said he could have the old Polara if he rebuilt the engine and painted the house. Jim did both and proudly drove the Polara until he graduated from college in 1981. Then he traded it in on a new Dodge Omni. Oops.
Over two decades later Jim had already restored several cars when his next project idea hit him ? he would restore a 1966 Polara. He located a complete car in Georgetown. When it was all apart he realized it was in rough shape. Jim suddenly found a new challenge - you see, hardly anyone restores C-body Chryslers. If he couldn't find parts in Hemmings, he hit the salvage yards, and what they didn't have Jim had to fabricate himself.
In his searching he found a 1966 Monaco, the better-appointed sister model of the Polara. The Monaco had a better trim package and more features.
Jim liked the Monaco too, so into the Polara's restoration went choice bits of the Monaco. After an upgrade of engine and suspension Jim had his 1966 Plamonaco. Polaras in general are a rare restoration choice and Jim gets a kick out of the looks it gets. Of course he also enjoys being able to relive his past just a bit.
Subjects for the Lone Star Legends series are selected from the files of TRICK Photography. The Grapevine, Texas based photography company produces custom images of motorcycles and cars. You can see more images, or contact Dan Peirce at www.trickphotog.com, or by calling 817-251-5069. Have camera, will travel.