I bought a 64 Polara from a guy in Phoenix around 1985 that was going through a divorce - it was a 426 Wedge car, pushbutton auto. It had a 3:91 8-3/4" & was a very nice riding car, but I would not rate it as fast, but it did have some power. Anyway, I bought it to re-sell. One guy that came out to look at the car said it was not an original 426W car because it did not have a front sway bar.

My question is this, how can you tell if it is an original car as equipped? In 1964, it was not specified in the serial #, & I did not look for any #'s stamped on the motor. So was a front sway bar a distinguishing factor??? On a humorous note, my business partner referred to it as an "Airstream puller." I likened it to a competitive model against the GTO. About the same size & weight. So WHY was the 1964 GTO so often referred-to as the "first musclecar?"