Jump to content
  • When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

How many polaris?


Henning

Recommended Posts

So I got several threads showing color badges. Now I'd like to know: are there any kinds of different polaris known out there? I've already seen:

#1 polaris

#2 polaris neu

#3 polaris NN
#4 polaris pvc-frei

#5 polaris II

and at least one more.

Please add.

 

hen

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey, Hen,

 

The early Polaris, or Polaris’s, are paint code 057. The later Polaris’s are paint code 060. I suspect that the introduction of “Polaris neu” signaled the changeover from paint code 057 to paint code 060. But I’m not certain! And they might have dropped the “neu” from the paint sticker name shortly after the introduction of “Polaris neu.” Regardless, Polaris had already changed from 057 to 060 by November 1968, the earliest paint and upholstery brochure I have for the ‘02 era. The first photo below shows Polaris in the November 1968 brochure.

 

Oddly, the paint and upholstery brochures, from the introduction of Polaris, ca. 1964, as an 1800ti-only color, through the end of 2002 production in 1976, only make reference to “Polaris” or “Polaris metallic”, not to the names that appear on the paint stickers.

 

I really don’t know what this all means, but a change in paint code suggests there may be substantial color differences between the 057 and 060 colors whereas changes within a single paint code, e.g., 060, might be more differences of the paint formulation. I’m making this up, but it sounds fairly convincing... to me... ?

 

There’s even more complexity to this issue — at least I believe that is the case — because the earliest colors were single-stage paints while the later colors were two-stage paints. Take Polaris PVC-frei, the original paint on my ‘76.  Polaris PVC-frei was introduced ca. 1973 and was a two-stage paint. It was, of course, a truly miserable two-stage paint, invariably starting to fail within two to four years of its application. It is a 060 paint code Polaris, but certainly not the first one.

 

When you figure this out, I’m going to be the first one to buy your book. I’m going to want an autographed copy... ?

 

Below, in the second photo, the original paint sticker for my ‘76, as photographed in August 1983.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

DBA4E09E-FF4B-4A9E-9D81-7726B09C3487.jpeg

D80C7107-110A-41B4-AA78-387FBB3A4C13.jpeg

Edited by Conserv

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To add onto Steve's post above--from what I remember, the original Polaris paint (code 057) was even more fragile than the two stage replacement.  A friend bought a very early '68 (US spec) 2002 in Polaris, and the paint started looking funny (IIRC it spotted) within 6 or so months.  Hoffman must have received a lot of complaints from customers who paid extra for a metallic paint, only to have it go bad quickly (why I ordered my '69 in good ole reliable Nevada!), so the factory ordered a reformulated Polaris from Glasurit, which became Polaris neu.

 

mike

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1

'69 Nevada sunroof-Wolfgang-bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-Ludwig-since '78
'91 Brillantrot 318is sunroof-Georg Friederich 
Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette) & Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks a lot for your responses, sirs.

That is really very informative. I didn't know about color codes and their changes before. If the different types of polaris could be identified by eye, we could give certain 02 owners at a meeting an unobtrusive hint. Or discuss vehemently.

 

hen

 

...and sorry for pubbing in the meantime

 

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

Polaris neu NN, original to a 1972 U.S.-spec tii, VIN 2761181, manufactured approximately March 1, 1972.

 

Looking for other examples of Polaris with original paint stickers. Post here!

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

E43E5C1A-75D3-44B1-916B-0FFAC75CEAB0.jpeg

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

What would be an acceptable choice to the 02 purists to refresh an original Polaris car. And does anyone have a paint formulation. My 68 1600’s original polaris paint now looks almost like Bristol grey, besides the rattle can touch up on the drivers door that the previous owner must have done 

Edited by Fortlauderdalian
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    Unveiling of the Neue Klasse Unveiled in 1961, BMW 1500 sedan was a revolutionary concept at the outset of the '60s. No tail fins or chrome fountains. Instead, what you got was understated and elegant, in a modern sense, exciting to drive as nearly any sports car, and yet still comfortable for four.   The elegant little sedan was an instant sensation. In the 1500, BMW not only found the long-term solution to its dire business straits but, more importantly, created an entirely new
    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    In 1966, BMW was practically unknown in the US unless you were a touring motorcycle enthusiast or had seen an Isetta given away on a quiz show.  BMW’s sales in the US that year were just 1253 cars.  Then BMW 1600-2 came to America’s shores, tripling US sales to 4564 the following year, boosted by favorable articles in the Buff Books. Car and Driver called it “the best $2500 sedan anywhere.”  Road & Track’s road test was equally enthusiastic.  Then, BMW took a cue from American manufacturers,
    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    BMW 02 series are like the original Volkswagen Beetles in one way (besides both being German classic cars)—throughout their long production, they all essentially look alike—at least to the uninitiated:  small, boxy, rear-wheel drive, two-door sedan.  Aficionados know better.   Not only were there three other body styles—none, unfortunately, exported to the US—but there were some significant visual and mechanical changes over their eleven-year production run.   I’ve extracted t
  • Upcoming Events

  • Supporting Vendors

×
×
  • Create New...