Topic: Good mechanic to service '68 Dodge Polara 500 (Ottawa/Hull region)

[68Polara]

I hope to do as much of the future work on this car as I can, but when I need to take it somewhere for the more complicated stuff, I'd like to do so with a garage that is very familiar with older cars.  I live in the Ottawa region (in Chelsea on the Quebec side of the Ottawa river) and I've talked to Capital Dodge in Kanata and they have 4 long-term mechanics who even have old Dodge's of their own.  The problem is, that dealership is quite far away from me.  Cite Chrysler in Hull says they can do it, but based on the discussion, I'm not so sure they have any "old school" mechanics and will just wing it.  Of course, at the dealerships, labour cost is high and unless like Capital Dodge where there are still some knowledgeable guys in the garage who might make it worthwhile, for the most part, I doubt it takes a dealership to provide the best service.  I hope to find a small garage/mechanic in either Chelsea, Hull, or downtown Ottawa (where I work) with who to build a long-term, trusted relationship.  I plan to keep this car nice for a long time.

Any leads are greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

Tom

[blur911]

I would say you should go to one of the local hot-rod meets and find the Dodge guys, they'll know, or want to help.
Look at local A&W's on Wednesday nights.  Check local clubs.
Not quite my locale so I can't help more.

[rrocket]

Yep...what 911 said!  Excellent advice.  Car shows/meets are crawling with car nuts.  Some of these I would suspect are more knowledgeable about a particular brand than most "real" mechanics....

[68Polara]

Thanks guys.  Yes, very good advice.  In fact, a couple of months ago I had checked-out the local Ottawa-Kanata Cruise Nights website with the intent of getting involved.  My wife and I are not really "club" kinda people, but it may actually be fun!  I'll be giving this some serious thought.  Thanks again!

[68Polara]

Well, my wife and I took the Polara to a vintage car meet in Ottawa this afternoon/evening.  Lots of beauties -- cars too!   

As it turned out, I didn't need to ask anyone about a referral to a mechanic because yesterday, I visited a local garage in Chelsea that I used to take my cars to years ago (then I bought new ones and had the dealership service them), and they still deal with a number of old cars.  In fact, the owner has a '67 Chrysler Imperial.  I had been wondering over the last week if the car might have a motor mount problem.  They checked them out while I waited anf gave clean bill of health. No charge.  They also have towing and a large junk yard (not that they'll have parts in stock for a '68 Polara.  I'm happy I've found a good place to take the old car to, and reasonably priced.

[polaraman67]

What's the name of this garage ?  I have a 67 Polara and had it serviced a few times at Cite Chrysler but they only have 1 mechanic who knows a little about old cars.

Thanks.

[68Polara]

What's the name of this garage ?  I have a 67 Polara and had it serviced a few times at Cite Chrysler but they only have 1 mechanic who knows a little about old cars.

Thanks.

Hey there, polaraman!  Glad to know there's another old Polara in the region.  What condition is yours in and what's its history (e.g. where di it originate?)?  I found mine in Calgary last November and had it shipped to Chelsea.  There's a very sentimental reason why a '68 Polara was of interest to my wife and I.  Ours is a 4 door, 318 2bbl.  It's in VERY nice original condition.

The garage is Ben's Towing (and garage) in Chelsea.  As you may know, Capital Dodge used to be on Carling Ave. near Churchill in Ottawa, but they've now moved the dealership out to Kanata (at ScotiaBank Place).  Too bad for me they moved that far, because I know they have a bunch of "old school" mechanics on staff who own old Dodges of their own.

Ben's Garage is close to me and I've taken my other cars to them for years.  Like I said, Ben, who's older now - his son Serge has been running it for some time -- has an old Chrysler.  They still deal with a lot of older cars, so I'm confident they'll handle my Polara just fine.

[polaraman67]

Mine is a 67 Polara 500, 2 door, 318 2bbl.  It was originally bought by a school teacher in Pembroke.  I believe I'm the 5th or 6th owner.  I bought it about 5 years ago from an older gentleman in Carp.  It's in good shape with minor work that needs to be done on rear quarter panel and around rear window corners.  Interior is good except for front seat which would need to be redone.

Thanks for the info about Ben's garage.  Will definetly check them out next time I need work done.  Not many Polara's out there anymore.

[68Polara]

Mine is a 67 Polara 500, 2 door, 318 2bbl.  It was originally bought by a school teacher in Pembroke.  I believe I'm the 5th or 6th owner.  I bought it about 5 years ago from an older gentleman in Carp.  It's in good shape with minor work that needs to be done on rear quarter panel and around rear window corners.  Interior is good except for front seat which would need to be redone.

Thanks for the info about Ben's garage.  Will definetly check them out next time I need work done.  Not many Polara's out there anymore.

Do you happen to have any pics of your '67 online?  If so, I'd like to see them.  If you need any body work, for the little my '68 needed (bottom of rear quarter panels), I took it to Majestic Auto Restorers in the Manotick/Kars area.  http://www.majesticautorestorers.com/other/collision.html.  I am very pleased with the work they did.

If you care to see my '68, the whole story and more, including some pics are here:  http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3215842

Cheers!

[polaraman67]

Very beautiful story !  I tried posting a few pics of my 67 in the gallery, but their size was over the allowed limit.