Mopar Quick Shift Thursday – A 1967 Dodge Coronet 500


Continuing on with the Mopar Quick Shift Thursday, here is another example of a classic late 60s Mopar. The Dodge Coronet was revised in the 1965 model year using an altered Chrysler B Body that made its debut in 1962 as the Dodge Polara, and the Dodge Dart (along with the Plymouth Fury). These were the failed “downsized” full-sized cars that were introduced, with unusual Virgil Exner styling, and they flopped in the marketplace. Through a series of cosmetic surgeries, they gradually became acceptable and by 1965, ready made to challenge the new “Mid-Size” competition from Ford and GM. By 1967, the Dodge Coronet was in its third year looking better than ever…


The 1965 Dodge Coronet was basically a new nameplate on the existing Dodge Polara, with minor styling revisions. It was a very cheap way for Dodge (and Plymouth for that matter) to become competitive in the new Mid-Sized bracket. The Competition included the Ford Fairlane, Chevrolet Chevelle, Pontiac Tempest, Oldsmobile F-85, Buick Special, and the Rambler Classic. Against this competition, the Dodge Boys sold over 209,000 units.

The Coronet received a more tailored look, receiving fresh sheetmetal, a restyled interior, and a new companion model in the form of the Dodge Charger. The Coronet was marketed with various model designations, from the base Coronet, the Coronet 440, The Coronet Deluxe, and the Coronet 500. There were 2-Door Sedans, 4-Door Sedans, and crisp Wagon, and the style leading 2-Door Hardtop.
For 1967, the Coronet added a new model called the Coronet R/T (The Moniker used for Road/Track). This was the top of the line oronet, and was available with almost every engine in the Dodge lineup, including the famous 426 Hemi. But let’s take a look at this particular Coronet 500. The 1967 was a slight modification to the 1966 version, and the lines were crisp, folded, and distinctive. There is no excessive ornamentation on the flanks, and the tail lamp assembly took on the look of an electric shaver.

The interior is exactly the same as the year before, with a clean look, simple instrumentation, and controls placed where they should be. This car has the optional bucket seat and console, with Chrysler’s great looking shift lever controlling the Torqueflite. This car looks smart with the Magnum 500 wheels, though a good set of red-line tires would look better than the raised white letters.
So, what do you think of this car, and what do you think it worth? It does sport a for sale sign on it but I don’t have a clue as to what he’s asking for it. Leave you comments below….

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  1. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Nice. I've always liked the hidden taillight treatment on these Coronets. Some years ago I saw a red Coronet very much like this one at a car show but with one important difference – the entire grille from a '67 Charger had been swapped in complete with hidden headlights. Oh man, it looked so great.
    What engine does this car have? I'll say $12K if there's a 318 but more if it's a 383 or bigger.

    1. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      I was just thinking that all this needs is hidden headlamps to look just right.

  2. Paul_y Avatar
    Paul_y

    The hood and trunklid alignment aren't great, but I have a suspicion that they are impossible to get right.
    These are great looking cars, however. Sure, the styling is definitely tied to the 60s, but they've aged well, and aren't tacky. That center console is a little gimmicky (and probably brutal on a hot day), but is incredibly cool.

  3. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    My local Dodge dealer had a restored 383-powered '66 R/T for a while (taken as trade for a new Challenger SRT8), priced in the high $30's but the car was darn near perfect.

    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      A Coronet R/T would have either a 440 or a Hemi under the hood, and they didn't come out until 67. The 383 was available in other Coronet trim levels, though.

      1. ptschett Avatar
        ptschett

        Must have been a '67 440 then (I know it was a real R/T and not a Hemi.)

  4. pj134 Avatar
    pj134

    Its amazing that Dodge hasn't changed their radio cluster since 67 apparently… I wish they could put a product together that had that much appeal though… oh well.

  5. Van Sarockin Avatar
    Van Sarockin

    Body styling wasn't exciting even when it was new, but the interior's very nice, except for that generic plastic dash. Back when, the Pentastar had a reputation for low price, great value, durability and engineering. Sometimes deserved. I'm surprised it sold so well against very strong competition. This example's survived very well and looks pretty good today.

  6. B72 Avatar
    B72

    "Extra value is what you get, when you buy Coronet!"

  7. Lotte Avatar
    Lotte

    Damn, look at those seats! I was just about to dismiss it because of no bench seat and the automatic, but those thrones look just like a baseball glove; soft and cuddly, I imagine. And the interiors of these cars…today's cars need more chrome detailing; all of these and especially the Barracuda look like much better places to sit in then the admittedly not-bad Beige Honda. I swear I need one of these just so I stop getting so impressed whenever there are pretty pictures on the internet…
    And I almost missed this great day. This one's probably my favourite, misaligned hood and all (no, wait, the Road Runner on the other page, but this, and Barracudas of that year look suprisingly good in black…argh!) This is great.

  8. jjd241 Avatar

    [youtube FM2nFi4IDOs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM2nFi4IDOs youtube]