The Coronet wore several hats in the Dodge inventory through the decades, starting as a full-size high-trim level car in the late forties, then moving to the lowest position by the mid-fifties.  The name took a five-year break after the ’59 run before returning as an intermediate for the 1965 model, and that’s when it became available with some more muscular powerplants, with ’66 being the first year the Coronet was available with a 426 Hemi.  This 1966 Dodge Coronet 500 here on Craigslist is sort of middle-of-the-road when it comes to performance, but with just 36,339 miles, it probably scores exceptionally strong in the reliability department.  This one’s not cheap either, with the asking price not too far from the mileage, so head on over to Eugene, Oregon, to check things out in person to see if you’re willing to spend $32,500 here.  T.J., thanks a lot for the tip!

The seller shares that he purchased this Mopar from Volo Auto Museum some four years ago and has traveled 5,000 miles in it since, with no mechanical issues to report.  This one is from that great period in history when many autos could be had with power ranging from mild to wild, and the fifth-generation Coronet was no exception.  Engines began with the tried-and-true Slant 6, followed by the 273, which was the smaller V8.  The Coronet offered here is equipped with a 318, which has an aftermarket Edelbrock carburetor on top, although the owner wisely held onto the original unit.  It’s said to purr like a kitten, with the TorqueFlite claimed to shift as though it were new.

Very straight is how the sheet metal is described, and even under close inspection, there’s very little to find fault with regarding the body.  A few small imperfections are mentioned outside, but most of the paint is believed to be original, so for the age, it has held up far better than average.  A white top complements the green finish nicely, and the color-coded wheels and dog dish hubcaps look right at home on just about any 2-door B-Body.  If the next owner wants to go back to factory specs, the original Magnum-style wheels will also be included in the sale.

A peek inside reveals an interior that’s about as clean as the exterior, and if this area is indeed original as stated, it’s not only a testament to how well this car has been cared for, but also makes the 36,000-mile claim all the more likely.  The gauges are all still functional, and it’s also a positive that this one’s got buckets plus a console.  Considering the amount of time, effort, and money it would take to bring a project-status 1966 Coronet 500 up to this level, perhaps $ 32,500 is actually a realistic cost.  What are your thoughts here?