Claiming that any car is a genuine 1-of-1 vehicle is a slippery slope. Such is the array of optional extras offered by many manufacturers, it is possible to make any vehicle unique by choosing a few more unusual trim or luxury options. However, the story may prove credible with this 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T. Its mechanical combination makes it rare, but the premium color may seal the “unique” deal. It requires a dedicated new owner to return to its glory days, and buyer interest saw it attract eleven bids in under a day. The R/T is listed here on eBay in London, Kentucky. The price has raced to $14,300 in a No Reserve auction.
Dodge built the Fifth Generation Coronet from 1965 until 1970. Our feature car is from that final production year, and although the company produced 114,955 Coronets across all variants, only 2,319 chose the R/T Hardtop. This car retains its original vibrant Go Mango paint. That is largely irrelevant because it requires a total restoration involving a repaint. However, combine that paint shade with the brute under the hood, and this classic rapidly becomes a 1-of-15 vehicle. The Dodge featured a Black vinyl top which is now nothing but a memory. Rust is always a significant concern with any Mopar product from this era, but the news appears largely positive with this Coronet. It requires a new filler between the back window and trunk. The trunk pan is toast, but the seller includes a new set of trunk extensions. The rear quarters require replacement, but that seems to be it beyond a few panel bumps and bruises. With the floors and rails rock-solid, whipping the panels and paint into shape shouldn’t be a problem.
The shopping list for this project grows significantly when we examine its interior. It is a “what you see is what you get” proposition, meaning the buyer must source seats or seat frames, interior trim, carpet, and a few hardware items like door handles. The dash pad has cracked, the faux woodgrain is deteriorating, and the gauge lenses are cloudy, but I think the wheel and console are salvageable. There are no aftermarket additions, meaning the buyer could return the interior to its factory appearance if originality is the aim.
Okay, we now come to the crux of what might make this R/T a genuine 1-of-1 vehicle. The original owner ordered the car with the firebreathing 440 Six-Pack that sent 390hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. This potent combination propelled the vehicle through the ¼-mile in 14.1 seconds and to a top speed of 139mph. Various sources confirm that Dodge built ninety-seven examples of the 1970 Coronet R/T with this mechanical combination. We’ve previously established that only fifteen featured the Six-Pack teamed with Go Mango paint. What is unclear is how many of those fifteen also rolled off the line with a TorqueFlite performing shifting duties. Since the split between manual and auto-equipped Six-Pack R/Ts is exactly 50:50, the law of averages suggests that, at worst, this could be a 1-of-7 vehicle. I could find no further information in my resources, so one of our knowledgeable readers might be able to shed light on the claim. For purists intent on a 100% faithful restoration, they will be disappointed that the original engine and transmission are long gone. The seller includes a date-correct Six-Pack engine, but it is incomplete and requires a rebuild. Most crucially, the factory intake and carburetors are gone, although the buyer can add the crank, oil pan, and rocker arms to the list. However, there is a correct air cleaner assembly sitting in the trunk.
I mentioned the ability of almost any car to achieve a 1-of-1 status, and there is no better example than the current Fiat 500. Such is the array of available colors, mechanical configurations, and luxury appointments, it is possible the company could build 500,000 cars with no two being alike. Does that make one more desirable than another? In most cases, the answer is a resounding no. However, the game changes when the subject turns to a muscle car like this 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T. Its mechanical configuration makes it rare, and the desirable paint shade adds to its appeal. It has attracted eleven bids, and there’s time for interested parties to throw their hat into the ring if they want to become its custodian. Considering its condition and included parts, where do you think the bidding will land?
Sure. This one is a mess. Would require a boatload of money, time and parts to make it right. Well beyond my own capability.
But damn, I would love to see the results. What a potential beauty.
Looks like one for Graveyard Carz to tackle!
Call me crazy, but I don’t think it’s worth much calling a car 1:1 if the unique engine and paint are both gone. Beautiful car regardless, I hope it goes to someone who knows what to do with it.
Years ago, I had a 65 Coronet 500, 361, 4spd, not exactly the hottest version, but it would get right down the road, loved it, wish I still had it.
If this one was really ever a 1of1, it isn’t anymore, it’s 1of many. Good luck to the prospective new owner of this one.
I’m glad the seller included a picture of “cylinder deactivation, 1970 style”. That will certainly increase the bidding. “See? The rods come with bearings!”
Hey.. another 6 pac car!!! It’s a real one !! But just like in the 71 RR are you going dump ton of money and time into it? Yes it will bring big bucks at the end. But with the economy looking sad is it worth it? 🐻🇺🇸
My only comment is from the story.
All Mopar’s rust from this era.
A damn lie. Wake up, it’s geographic areas using salt.
We have had many cars, GM, FOMOCO, MOPAR.
None rusted from use here in the desert, or L A county.
It depends on whether or not moisture gets under the vinyl top. It is very common on cars to have to replace the filler plat between the trunk lid and the back glass on a vehicle with a vinyl. To me the worst thing manufacturers did was start installing ninyl tops. Just my opinion.
Thank you ! Adam is one of many that continually write that comment just about any time they post a B or E body Mopar , when the other makers pony cars rusted just as badly, and the Asian cars were 100 times worse . No one seems to realize that these cars are over 50 years old, and have not been taken car of for years – thousands of better condition pony cars before this have been crushed out due to crashes, rust, or grenaded engines; they just weren’t worth fixing at the time. Now, any survivor is going to generate interest as there aren’t many left
I have one question for you bone. When was the last time you saw a 50 year Japanese car on the highway? For me never.
I never got off on the front end with the two horizontal “horse collars”, even when they were just one vertical featured on the fronts of Edsels. Gauche!
Agreed, I never liked the front ends on the 70’ Coronets….In my humble opinion, an awful design…..
Believe it or not they are suppose to represent bee wings. From the Scat Pack bee.
I always thought they looked like a pissed off 71 Charger 😠
I’ve seen plenty of Ford’s and Chevy’s with an insane amount of rust I’m sure location and the lack of preservation has plenty to do with the out come of a vehicles life span, and yeah this car is cool and some what rare, I find it odd that it does not have the Ram Charger induction hood I thought it was standard with a 440 6 pack, maybe not, but with all the time and money you have to put into this car with out the original drive train I’m not sure that it would bring enough money to make a profit, just my opinion
I do have a complete 1970 440 6pac to find a new owner
And I’ll say it again, not everybody’s into collecting or restoring for profit, some of us just like having a classic vehicle, it’s called a hobby. Picking something up and heading for the auction barn isn’t a hobby.
That window rust is a deal killer for me. I bet it was a looker in its day.
I have seen two issues with vinyl tops over the last 55ish years, even though I am 77.
They are, no paint on roof of vinyl top cars.
When the vinyl cars got older, and they were worth nothing, we left them unprotected in the sun. They would crack and peel. Therefore the roof would rust away.
40 years ago I had a two car garage.
Now I have 10 in garage/building.
Plus metal carport/trailer cover, and I added siding to keep Sun off of them completely.
It has gotten over 125 in Summers here.
80 today.
300 hours to restore a car like that plus parts and supplies,quite an undertaking and a big wallet.
If anyone is interested~~~ I have a 1970 Coronet 440. 318 ,,under 70,000 miles located in NePa. parked it approx 10 years ago,,,Never started it since then. A great project car~~ I have NO desire to play with it~~
Paid $ 50 for mine !! 35 years ago !
What’s your asking price ?
$5000.00 same number,,just a couple more 00s~~~
Seller is not claiming it’s a 1 of 1 car.
i say throw a motor home 440 and torqueflite in her ,patch the trunk and drive it … another ruff car but still i would go to a car show just to see it the way it is. it would still be a trailer queen even in this state of repair. and there would be lots of ooh’s and aah’s. there should be car shows that would show these kind of vehicles. it would truly become a treasure hunt to find those lost big number cars. if you build it and market it they will come to see. after all how many of us have vintage restorables and how many of us have fully restored. remember where did that restorable come from. laying in the barn or farm field. this way we could save more vintage treasures in the long run. BARN FINDS should have a trailer QUEEN meet… id go just to see some of these rocket ships. especially if the car had even a vintage cigarette lighter OEM of course…V