1963 Dodge 880 and Custom 880

The relative success of the Custom 880 Series of large luxury Dodges introduced the last year to fill a gap left by the death of the DeSoto prompted Dodge to offer the 880 Models in two sub-series lines for 1963.

The lowest priced of these large Dodges was the 880 4-door sedan, Model 503. This car cost $2,813 and rode on the long and luxurious 122-inch wheelbase.

As with last year's 880 models, the 1963 versions once again used 1962 Chrysler body sheet metal from the cowl back with enough minor trim and panel alterations made on the 1963 models to make them truly individual cars. The front end, new this year, was all Dodge.

All 880 Models, whether designated Custom or straight 880's were powered by a large V-8 engine.

The standard engine offering for the 880 models was the 361 V-8 that produced 265 horsepower at 4400 RPM and equipped with a two barrel carburetor. The 383 engine with a two barrel carb was offered as an optional engine for all 880 models and this power plant produced 305 horsepower at 4600 RPM.

A good example of how far behind the ball the boys at the Dodge division were can be seen by the lack of details on the 880 models on their advertising campaign even for the 63 model year.

This is part of an advertisement out of
The Saturday Evening Post printed somewhere around September 1962.