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1960 Polara wagon Jump to page : 1 2 3 4 5 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | I bought this after wanting it for 18 years. I bought it from the 2nd/4th owner. Here's the story... I worked for a local restoration shop in the early 1990's. This car was parked in a warehouse along with a rusty convertible and a Matador D500 (3 on the tree) 2 door hardtop. All three cars were scheduled to be cut apart to make/fake a Polara D500 convertible. Since the wagon was low mileage, it was going to be used for its drivetrain, along with its instrument panel, and assorted Polara bits. I offered (begged) to buy the wagon, but was told no so many times I finally quit. For a dozen or so years I thought the car was long gone -- until I was swapping "the one that got away" stories with a friend of mine. When I told him about the Polara wagon, he said, "That car still exists." My response was, "Get it for me!" It turned out that the restoration shop went out of business just after I left. The car was sold back to the man who sold it to the shop. He has had it tucked away in his garage ever since. Five years after I heard it was still around... it is finally in my posession! The plan is to repair the rust, reassemble it, and have fun with it. In a few years, it will come apart for the restoration it deserves. Aaron (DSC07838.JPG) (DSC07836.JPG) (DSC07833.JPG) (DSC07829.JPG) (DSC07833.JPG) Attachments ---------------- DSC07838.JPG (245KB - 322 downloads) DSC07836.JPG (294KB - 262 downloads) DSC07833.JPG (223KB - 270 downloads) DSC07829.JPG (256KB - 313 downloads) DSC07833.JPG (223KB - 278 downloads) | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | Cool story! You were meant to own that car sooner or later! | ||
B/G 61 |
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Expert Posts: 2612 Location: Parts Unknown | Congrats !!! I've said it before, and will say it again - the '60 Dodge wagons are about as good as it gets in the wagon world I love it | ||
imopar380 |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7205 Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Looks Good Aaron, waiting to see the progress on it ! | ||
Highball57 |
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Veteran Posts: 119 | That is an exceptionally hot wagon, and probably the first one I've ever seen; the jutting taillights are exuberance personified, and then some. Here's to patience! TG | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | Interesting roof rack system on it What's the story on 'that' ?? CONGRATULATIONS! | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | I went out to look at my '61 Seneca Wagon today to get a handle on what it would take to make it daily driver. Since seeing the Chrysler wagon in Louisville this past weekend I need to start on it. Great to see more wagons and thanks for the pics and of course we want to see more. | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Neil, The thing on the roof is the base of the full roof rack. The rest of the rack has been taken apart and polished/chromed. I havent put it all together yet... so the base is just sitting up there to keep it safe. The '60 Polara is my favorite of the Forwardlook Mopar wagons. Always has been... since I saw my first one back in the early 90's. Oh.... wait... that was THIS car!!! Aaron | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | WAAAAAIT a second, amigo.....weren't you at a certain WPC club meet, in Burbank, in 1987??? That's where Lari's '60 Polara D500 wagon made its 'first' appearance. That wagon is now (literally--Aaron sent me a U-Boat video of it...) moldering-away, in Japan . | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Good memory... but I never noticed the D500 wagon until it had been restored. I have an image of it in my mind at one of the Spring Fling shows. I spent most of that Burbank meet in a garage trying to get a '58 Fury finished in time for the Saturday show. I think it got there about mid-day. I guess, technically, I saw the D500 first... but the black one triggered the emotions. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Was the Matador 2HT an all black car ???? Any idea what became of it ? A friend found this car in Oregon in the 80's and refused to tell me where it was. I still have pix of it. It had a small rear window too. Crossrams, 3-onda-tree ..... it was a REAL weird car ! | ||
di_ch_NY56 |
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Expert Posts: 1527 Location: ZH, Switzerland | CONGRATULATION - to your great buy, Aaron. I'm sure you'll get it on the road again. It's a very solid car from the point of view of the pictures. I love it very much. Good luck and happy motoring! Dieter | ||
ronbo97 |
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Expert Posts: 4034 Location: Connecticut | What a neat car ! And a 4dr HT as well. Ron | ||
di_ch_NY56 |
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Expert Posts: 1527 Location: ZH, Switzerland | It's a really wonderful ht wagon. The color is shiny, the fabric looks like new and even the weatherstrips around the doors are present and in a decent shape. I guess this wagon only needs minor or small rust repairs. From the pictures I don't notice any dents - exept at the passenger side between both doors. It's a really beauty you got, Aaron. My best wishes. Are you restoring the dashboard actually and do you plan to mount a new wiring harness? Happy motoring! Dieter | ||
Diesel45 |
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Expert Posts: 1539 Location: Farnborough. Hampshire. England. | That's one helluva beautiful wagon, gorgeous shape, and looks like a solid survivor... Congratulations on a great find.... | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | Weren't all Polara wagons built as hardtops? | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Thanks for the nice comments. To answer the questions: To the best of my knowledge, the Matador's roof was cut off and it is now a convertible. It was an amazing car. The rust free hood from that car is on my wagon... so some of it lives on in its original state. All Polara wagons were hardtops. They were the only '60 Dodge wagons available in that body style. Except for the minor rust, the car is in great shape. The interior is in very good condition. The door panels are perfect. The rear seat is very nice and the front just needs the inserts replaced. All of the rubber is still soft. The dash was removed -- along with the front clip -- to do a complete factory dual A/C conversion. This was started before I bought the car, and I'll finish it. The firewall has been modified, and an A/C dash has been restored. All of the parts are ready to be reinstalled. I spent today in San Diego with the previous owner and his two A/C parts cars. One is a 60 Polara sedan and the system is 100% complete. I took dozens of pictures as a guide. I was also able to check out his 61 Pioneer wagon with dual A/C. All of the underhood stuff is different (alternator and a 318), but the dual air unit is identical. With the information I got today, the job will be easy to finish. With any luck, the car will be back on the road by October. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | C-300 - 2010-07-15 9:53 PM Thanks for the nice comments. To answer the questions: To the best of my knowledge, the Matador's roof was cut off and it is now a convertible. It was an amazing car. ********************************************** Somewhere through the grapevine, that was the story I heard too. What a shame. It truly was a one-of-a-kind car. Any idea where it is now ? | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | I have no idea wher the matador ended up. I think it's parading around in Polara clothes and has a torquflite in it now. It was an amazing car and it's a shame that everything that made it unique was destroyed. I'm just happy that my Polara wasn't ruined in the process. I test fit the roof rack today. I'm not sure if I like it... But I have time to decide before I drill the 6 holes in the roof... Or not. Aaron | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | That is disgusting. No doubt that was a one-of-one car. Destroyed just cuz someone wanted the flash of a Polara convertible. Not that a Polara convertible isn't cool, but to destroy something that makes a Polara convertible look as common as another 57 Chevy ... sorry, ... that is just ethically wrong. | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | The roof rack... | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | No, ... that Matador ! I lusted after that beast for years ! It was a really low miles drag racer. If memory serves, it got bonked in the front driver's fender/corner, but otherwise was an all original paint, low miles Matador 2HT with the only low back rear window roof I have ever seen on a senior 60 Dodge 2HT, not to mention the crossram 383 that had never been molested AND a 3-onda-tree STICK !!!!!! Some one is going to hell for destroying that car ! | ||
Greg P. |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 769 Location: Oley, PA | That's one really great looking wagon! Good luck with it. | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Sorry... guess I forgot to post the roof rack picture. Thanks for all of the support. My plan is to get it running by the end of next week. Lots to do between now and then, but it should be fun. Aaron (DSC07932.JPG) Attachments ---------------- DSC07932.JPG (335KB - 268 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Exner gave many of the wagons the short shrift when it came to full blown fins and overall styling. The 60 Polara wasn't one of them ! What a battleship, .. ready for intergalactic combat ! | ||
59CRL |
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Expert Posts: 2679 | Doctor DeSoto - 2010-07-17 4:16 PM Exner gave many of the wagons the short shrift when it came to full blown fins and overall styling. The 60 Polara wasn't one of them ! What a battleship, .. ready for intergalactic combat ! OH yeah, she has nice fins and looks really nice. Very cool design for sure. The old wagons look hot. This one will be sweet when your done. | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | I have a '61 Dodge Seneca wagon that I'm putting a luggage rack on. Do you have to have the chrome strip on the roof that the "v" channel of the rack fits down on top of??? My '61 doesn't have the chrome strip that goes from rear to the front of the car. Did you drill the six holes yet to mount yours ??? | ||
3N57-2729 |
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Veteran Posts: 256 Location: Kansas City | Great car you are so lucky to have found that one. A few years ago I was hot and heavy hunting for a '60 or '61 Dodge and never found the right car. I finally gave up and now it seams like more are popping up all the time. Anyway, that is a great '60 you have there. Great find!!! | ||
Fins/413 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 530 Location: Wake Forest, NC | WOW It was worth the wait. | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Oldwood, Call Smitty at (301) 937-4541 about the roof stainless. He was very helpful and knows a lot about the 60 Dodge wagons. He probably has the parts you need. I have not drilled the holes yet. It's a big decision... but I will probably do it. I am close to getting it running. I had to track down a few missing parts at the previous owner's garage. I figure it will be on the road in a couple of weeks. It's looking great! Pics will follow when I have time to take them. Aaron | ||
Bill3937 |
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Regular Posts: 96 Location: Glen Rock PA | Great Looking Car. Thanks for sharing. Regrds, | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Seeing as today is my last day of vacation, I thought I'd post some updated pictures. The car is not running yet, but is very close. The instrument panel is in, most of the wiring is done, and the A/C conversion is almost complete. I'm just waiting on parts at this point. The rust repair is scheduled to begin early next month -- which gives me time to get it running. My goal is to drive it to the CPW Fall Fling in Van Nuys, California on October 30th. I think I can meet that deadline. Aaron (DSC07990.JPG) (DSC07991.JPG) (DSC07992.JPG) (DSC07994.JPG) (DSC07995.JPG) Attachments ---------------- DSC07990.JPG (227KB - 267 downloads) DSC07991.JPG (249KB - 256 downloads) DSC07992.JPG (225KB - 244 downloads) DSC07994.JPG (302KB - 259 downloads) DSC07995.JPG (245KB - 292 downloads) | ||
big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7805 Location: Williams California | It's really coming along nicely, Aaron!! ---John | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | I see your doing a period correct detail under the hood ie. hose clamps, hood spring color etc. Was the motor and engine compartment repainted when you bought it? I see you have the optional clock. So this car didn't originally have A/C? Are you planning on putting the chrome stone shields on this car? How is that roof rack coming along??? Its great to see more subs coming back from the dead. Sorry for all of the questions. I'm trying to figure out how far I should go with my '61 sub as far as upgrading optional equipment. | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Thanks John. This reminds me of watching your 58 come together. I want to take the family on a road trip in the car next summer... like you did with yours. Oldwood... The engine block and firewall were repainted by the previous owner. Everything else was given to me already powdercoated (inner fenders, core support, air cleaner, brackets, battery tray, etc. The hood hinges were cad plated and the springs were already painted when I got the car... they were wrapped in paper and in a box. Most of what I have done is just reassemble the parts I have. Some of the parts are on for test fitting purposes - the A/C clutch and various bolts have not been restored yet. The dash and the surrounding interior trim was already modified to fit A/C and a dash pad. So... I'm just putting it back together as it is... mostly to make sure all of the parts are there, and fit properly. I figure I'll have some fun with it until the kids get older... and then I'll take it apart again to restore it properly. The car was VERY low optioned. It left the factory as a 6 passenger Polara. For options, it had power steering, power brakes, and a heater. That's all. It was even a radio delete car. There was no D/S remote mirror, no clock, no roof rack, and even the tailgate window was manual. The previous owner decided to add a lot of the options... and I am finishing what he started. When it's done, it will be a 9 passenger with every option but power windows and power door locks. So... Dual A/C, radio, dual mirrors (D/S Remote), roof rack, power tailgate window, spinners, front bumper guards, etc. And, yes, it will have the washboards. A complete set for a sedan was included with the car -- they look great! The conversion to A/C required a parts car and firewall modification. All of that work was done when I got the car. I think you should add whatever you like to your car. I'm in the fortunate position that I don't have to look for any of the parts... they are all here... but need to be bolted on. Aaron | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | So you are converting it to a 9 passenger. Are you welding in the rear floor pan to accommodate the 3 row seat or does the tire well work for that area? Where does the knob go for the passenger remote mirror? I just bought a 9 passenger parts car to possible turn my 6 passenger into a 9. Your car being a factory black you would have thought they would have ordered A/C. Thanks for your input. --Dorsey | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Dorsey, the knob for the remote mirror mounts to the left of the headlight switch. The 3rd row seat is a direct bolt in. Aaron | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | I didn't know that the 6 would have the same floor pan configuration as the 9 passenger. So everything is a direct bolt in from 9 to my 6. The records show that there were only "58" 9 passenger V-8 '61 Seneca's built. There were "6277" 6 passenger V-8 Seneca's built. I saw the records for your year but I didn't make notes. I pm you my #. Give me a call sometime. ---Dorsey | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | Aaron, have you considered installing a modern efficient A/C compressor to your car? I know very little about the ease of installing a modern system into a car, but, given the power/mpg-draw of the old type system, I'd certainly consider the 'shame' of having a new compressor, versus its effective performance gain over that of the vintage system. Doesn't some company hide a new compressor inside the shell of what looks to be a vintage unit (like those Tar topper battery-toupees)? | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Neil, I haven't looked into the modern compressors. The one on my car was used throughout the 60's and 70's... Maybe even the 80's. With the 383, I could probably use later parts and go with an alternator and upgrade to a more efficient a/c system... But you know how I am a purist when it comes to tho gs being era correct. Believe me, if the prevous owner had not begun all of the optional upgrades on the car, I'd restore it as the plain Jane that it was. Aaron | ||
57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3966 Location: DFW, TX | That is truly a stunning car! Sounds like one of the previous owners had some REALLY bad ideas for it and two other '60s. I'm glad to see it saved and I like seeing it go together with all the amenities. Enjoy that beauty! | ||
imopar380 |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7205 Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Aaron, this is coming along just great, waiting to see the finished result this fall. | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | Aaron, ain't nothing wrong with restoring a car correctly! If your car doesn't already (I'm sure that it does, however) have the big dog 70Amp generator, you could install that guy to power your car. I had my car's generator be overhauled in the 80's, and it's still producing great voltage with no real drop- off running the lights at night, at idle, because the battery is strong, too. Does anybody know about or have experience with, that alleged-company which hides a modern compressor inside a fake old-style compressor housing? | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | New update: Rust repair starts tomorrow. The interior is gutted and the gas tank is out. The rear bumper is being difficult, but nothing an air tool can't handle. Both rockers, both lower rear quarters, a small patch in both front floors, one bit in the bottom of the right front fender, a big hole in the left rear floor, and a few small miscellaneous areas will be repaired. After that, I can put an exhaust system on it and get the car back on the road. (215.JPG) Attachments ---------------- 215.JPG (234KB - 241 downloads) | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | Lets see some more pics. I enjoy seeing Holy pictures. | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | There will be a lot more holes tomorrow. I'll take more pics, don't worry! Aaron | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Holey Polara... but not for long. It was 103 degrees while we were prepping the new metal today and gutting the interior. Time for a nap... but first... more pics!!! (IMG_1035.JPG) (IMG_1039.JPG) (IMG_1046.JPG) Attachments ---------------- IMG_1035.JPG (257KB - 238 downloads) IMG_1039.JPG (280KB - 262 downloads) IMG_1046.JPG (302KB - 284 downloads) | ||
ronbo97 |
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Expert Posts: 4034 Location: Connecticut | Aaron - Just a 'heads up' on welding the floors. Cover any exposed glass (windshield, side and back glass if there is rust in the rear floors) with a welding blanket. Sparks from the MIG welder will put divots in the glass and may crack it. I ruined a perfect Solex windshield in the course of welding the floors of my 59 Dodge, thanks to the welding sparks. Ron | ||
di_ch_NY56 |
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Expert Posts: 1527 Location: ZH, Switzerland | Aaron The advice of Ron is very good! Myself I used a grinder to remove not original parts of the front fender of my truck. /W the sparkle stream I ruined an outside mirror. After this operation it was covered /w many dots of melted glass, containing metal debris. Okay - an outside mirror is far cheaper than a windshield but the effect's the same. Good luck - it looks like a lot of work ahead. Happy motoring! Dieter First picture: front fender a bought Second picture: front fender, original shape (8.25-16 auf Mowag.jpg) (Bild041.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 8.25-16 auf Mowag.jpg (114KB - 284 downloads) Bild041.jpg (17KB - 247 downloads) | ||
C-300 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 496 | Ron, Thanks for the tip. Everything here is going well. Both new lower rear quarters are prepped and my friend is doing an amazing job. I am looking forward to getting the car back on the road. Considering how far apart the car is now, I've decided to take my time and do it right... which means I probably won't have it driving until spring. I don't really mind. After 18 years, another few months won't make much of a difference. Oh... and that rear bumper fought me for two hours! I won. Aaron | ||
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