The owner of this 1965 Coronet 500 Convertible is a man of few words, but he lets the photos of the car do the talking. Barn Finder Pat L spotted this Dodge, so thank you for that Pat. You will find the car listed for sale here on Craigslist. Located in Kirkland, Washington, it is being offered for sale with a clean title. The seller has set a price of $22,999 for the Coronet.
The Coronet does present really well. Black paint, especially with the level of shine that this car demonstrates, is a great way of identifying any dents, dings, or ripples in the body panels. This car looks to be really straight, and the exterior chrome and trim also look to be in good condition. The only thing that we can’t be sure about is the condition of the soft-top, but if the rest of the exterior is any indication, then it should be in pretty good order. Overall, I think that this Coronet would attract its fair share of attention wherever it went.
The interior is interesting, as it exhibits all the hallmarks of a driver rather than a trailer queen. There are some marks on the door trims, but I think that these would clean off. There is also some discoloration on the back seat that may or may not clean off. The curious one is some marking on the instruments just below the speedometer. I’m not quite sure what that is. Otherwise, the interior is complete and original and would be well suited to the car seeing fairly regular use.
I’m not quite sure what originally resided under the hood of the Coronet, but whatever it was, it isn’t there anymore. The engine has been upgraded to a 426 wedge, which is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. This should provide quite lively performance for the Coronet. The car is fitted with power steering and power brakes. The seller does note that the car has only traveled 50,000 miles, but I’m not sure of how relevant that claim is given the replacement engine and transmission that has been fitted. Regardless of that, the engine does present very nicely, and everything looks very clean.
This 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 Convertible is a nice looking car that appears to be in better than average condition. The engine and transmission combination is nice, but it is not original, and to my mind that reduces the benefits of the claimed low mileage. Good original examples are selling for between $23,000 and $28,000. So, where does this one sit with you?
Way too rich for my blood, but other than that I really like it. Saw one of these on
a trailer 10 years ago while on a shopping
trip with Mom. That one looked really
sinister in triple black! Will use the pics
for making art prints of classic cars–
once I wipe the drool off my tablet!!
I don’t care much for convertibles, but that’s pretty awesome!
I totally agree! I’m not a convertible guy. But, this one does present VERY well. A lot of time and effort went into this restoration. However, a 426 does not belong in a convertible. A 383 would have been just as nice in this one. As I recall, the National Safety council wrote a statement n the late 60’s or early 70’s saying that auto deaths were 70% higher in convertibles that in cars with solid tops. The next model year saw no verts for sale. (How soon we forget.) Don’t get me wrong, I think they look sharp. But, have you ever ridden in the back seat on a long trip in the summer with the top down? No a/c, lots of hot and humid sun… Sorry, not for me.
With that 426 wedge, I’ll bet Miss Jane could make it from the bank to the mansion in plenty of time to get Jed and Granny out of a real mess.
Fred, Ms. Hathaway, great reference!
Nice car, likely worth the ask…
Poor Miss Jane. Her cars never had a windshield. It was that mean old Mr Drysdale always trying to keep everyones money once it was in his bank. Hopefully the bank was close by and didn’t require highway speeds
Yo Fred W… WORD
Not quite the lustre of the Javelin, but close. Be a fun car for a Sunday drive…….at Talladega!
Yeah Fred, Mr. Drysdale would really have to hold onto his hat in this car!
And since Ray Bailey, the actor, was bald, hold onto his hair as well.
What hair? You just said he was bald. lol
A steal at that price, rare as they get, AND a factory 4-speed? Be the King at your next local car show with this!
There’s a gentleman in my area who has an original 32k mile ’65 Coronet 500. 426 4 speed. Original paint and mechanicals. Sitting since 1980.
Very rust free and it runs.
Wonder where the intake manifold is?
This was probably a factory 383.
The upgrade to 426 is neat.
Wonder if build sheet under back seat still?
Worth the asking price even if top needs replacing
It’s not a Max Wedge from what I can tell. Had a former landlord with one from a 64 Fury Convertible IIRC. That was a real neck jerker, even when the engine was swapped for a 413 out of a ski boat. I even got to help a little when it was time to rebuild it.
On the car, even with a NOM in it, it’s a good looking car. I wouldn’t plan to drive it a lot even with a single 4bbl on it. That one I’m sure would be thirsty and though I don’t know for sure, I’d guess around 11.0 cr so it’s going to want high test fuel. Long as the fuel system and valve seats were updated it should live on current fuel if it’s got enough octane in it.
Although I have no idea about the particulars on the engine in the car listed. It looks to be a stockish 426 and even if it were built to those specs Mopar listed it at 10:1, which if you measured stock compression in the muscle era you’d find that they were way below advertised. 8:1-9:1 was more of the norm, with Mopar anyway. I agree with your mileage estimation, but even at 8 mpg it’s alot fun!
But wait it’s a Mopar! 426 or 318 what’s the difference? It’s worth at least 23k because it’s a Mopar right?…… yeah right haha.
You can count on Keith – he only comments on Mopars – got to wounder how often he gets spanked by them.
I wonder how often he gets spanked on barnfinds
I like this one………a lot.
This car was on BaT auctions last month, RNM at $17k
Smell too much DNA swapping
Now THIS is a sleeper (ref conversation on the ’70 Firebird). Whitewalls, wheel covers, tucked-up exhaust…. Underneath, some serious oooomph…. Beautiful car.
Yes DanD I would agree with the car being a sleeper, in spite of being a convertible. What made me keep hammering on the Firebird was I feel like there was deception on the mileage disclosure.
Not a Mopar guy but this one sure is cool–that shifter stickin thru the floor gets the juices flowing!! Good Luck to the new owner!!
Cheers
GPC
Had a 65 Coronet 500 (with 318) hdtp, along with 65 fury, 66 sport fury, 66 belvedere 67 fury, 68 fury fastback, 70 roadrunner, & 69 charger rt/se. The one that was most fun overall and the one I would love to have again was the 65 coronet. Good thing my first born has been on his own for many years of he’d be gone, lol.
I like it, a lot….If it was a hard top with black interior and dark burgundy paint with torque thrusts and that 426 street wedge it would be perfect(for me). Always liked these early to mid sixties Mopars.
Adam – did you just think a 426 wedge was for Super Stocks ? Check out that factory air cleaner – guys looking for them pay big bucks – they are different you see ?
Could it be a sleeper, not sure Dan, being a convertible. It’s a very cool ride to say the least. Convertible cars are cool, however in the dog days of summer they aren’t much fun from 10am-7 P.M. Some think air conditioning car then. I suppose that would be ok as long as it was an aftermarket AC system. All the factory systems of yesteryear are to expensive to restore and the parts are to heavy, in my opinion. Love the contrast of paint and interior.Is it overpriced I don’t know, if I was interested not sure I would care it’s in the ballpark.
I had a ’99 Chevy Cavalier Z24 covertible for a few years and had the top down any time it wasn’t raining. I run a little cold body-temp wise so the sun didn’t bother me at all. If I had the jack for this car AND the fuel cost, I’d be on it right now. Ah loves me a rag-top!
Ok Mopar fans it’s a chance to educate this G.M. guy. Is this a manual top or an electric convertible top? Is the rear glass in convertible top plastic or glass? Before anyone balks about a convertible top having rear glass as opposed to plastic that yellows, do the research.
Herbee,
Power top, you can see the top switch directly above the clutch pedal in the photo of the dash. No 1965 Mopar cars had a glass rear window, and IIRC, the first year for folding glass rear windows on a Mopar was 1969. {I believe the first folding glass rear window on a convertible, was the 1967 Cougar.}
I like it. The owner of a local repair shop has a hardtop like this in beautiful condition. I’m not a purist so an engine swap wouldn’t bother me. Great car and unlike the WAY overpriced Hemi’s a car an average guy could own.
Yo Fred W… WORD
The 426 Street Wedge was an option in ’65.