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440 Four-Speed: 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T

1969-Coronet-RT-440-grill

Only serious Mopar fans need apply. This is a 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T and it’s going to need a complete restoration. We feel the end result will be well worth the effort though, as this car is equipped with a big 440 and a four-speed transmission. We are talking about some serious fun here. Unfortunately, the car resides in Florida so there is rust. Take a look at the eBay auction here where bidding is currently at $1,725.

1969-Coronet-RT-440-engine-bay

The best part of this Coronet is the engine, but the seller doesn’t even mention if this is the standard 440 or the mighty 440 six-pack. We decoded the VIN though and it does appear to be a single four-barrel equipped car. Too bad because when fitted with three two-barrel carbs this engine put out 390 horsepower and 490 ft-lbs of torque! 375 horsepower is still respectable though and you could always keep an eye out for a three-carb setup.

1969-Coronet-RT-440-interior

The second best aspect here is that all that power is feed to the rear wheels through a four-speed transmission. Automatics may be good for burnouts, but we prefer a manual for pure driving enjoyment.

1969-Coronet-RT-440-side

Like we said before, this one needs a complete restoration so if you don’t have lots of experience and a bag full of money, you may want to look elsewhere. The interior is trashed and outside is rusty. Still, we are tempted because this was one impressive muscle car when new. A Hemi would be nice, but the 440 was cheaper to maintain, easier to run, and could even keep up with big brother in six-pack form.

Comments

  1. Avatar Rancho Bella

    These are ugly, and, they have always been ugly, nothing on earth can change that. I’m at a lose on these as I will never get it. Remember the rule…….what ever rust you can see, it’s five time worse where you can’t……….or was the ten times…………damn old age…………

    Like 0
    • Avatar Rod

      You seem to forget, nowdays those rusty old parts can be easily replaced, along with the entire interior!!

      Like 5
  2. Avatar Dolphin Member

    If you like these, be careful about this one. It needs everything repaired/redone, plus parts brought in. The bad aftermarket steering wheel is the least of the problem. Claimed to have a 4-speed, but nothing but a hole where the shifter should be….and no explanation. Lots of stuff missing under the hood….and no explanation.

    OTOH, there’s a hard-sell about how terrific a deal this is given that one sold at the recent Mecum auction in Kissimmee for $63K. Here’s a link to that one:

    http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=FL0113-144883&entryRow=1977

    Shows a pretty much perfect car. Starting with the eBay auction car here, you couldn’t get there from here for $60K.

    And the SCM Price Guide has the ’69 Coronet R/T at $26-36K in #2 condition, which this car isn’t close to. You couldn’t get this car anywhere near #2 condition for that money.

    And how does a guy look at those skinny cast aluminum valve covers and call this a Hemi in the first place?

    Answer: A guy who has never seen a Hemi.

    Like 0
    • Avatar PRD

      It was a manual car. You can see the clutch pedal but, it is in very very rough shape and who knows whats been done to it. It would take an awful lot of money to bring it back. Some of the missing pieces are very hard to find.
      Whomever gets it…. Good luck

      Like 0
    • Avatar rjc

      This car has tired bones, but if some one chose to do most of the work themselves they could get it done for much less than 60k. Been there done that with three ebodies.But if you plan to pay some one else to do most of the work you will quickly be under water.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Al Neri

    Back in the 1970s I had the standard 1969 Dodge Coronet with a 318 but really wanted one like this. It was not a dependable car but I learned a lot about car repair from owning it.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Dirty Dingus McGee

    Unlike some, I like the looks of these. I’m gonna watch this. If the price is under $5K, with another 5-8K, you could make a decent driver out of it. IF you ain’t afraid to get your hands dirty, and spend a year working on it.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Scott

    I would have to say I tend to disagree with Rancho Bella as not all can appreciate the looks of a Mopar ( Dodge )as it is in the eye of the beholder. The question is if this car drove by would you take a second look? Second in regards to the posting left by Dolphin he is correct for the most part but…. I see very little rust that would cause concern . Rockers , door posts look good , inner fender wells look good , Hood and doors look fine. Even the interior is not as trashed as expressed and fairly complete. For someone who can do the work without having it done by an outside source Body / Paint , Mechanical and Interior to me at least I see little investment needed to restore given the potential profit . As was reflected by Dolphin and the seller one sold recently for 63K that was less rare than a 4 speed ( meaning this one would sell for about 10K more in the same condition ) restored. In retrospect to PRD Mopar parts for the RT and the Charger are not so hard to find providing you know where to look for them. As far as the comment left by Al Neri in respect to dependability. In comparison to other vehicles makes of that era it was as dependable as any other muscle car providing it was not driven abusively and well maintained. Dirty Dingus McGee is somewhat right on for a driver but I would go beyond that in a complete restoration. Cost should be ( done by the owner capable of doing so ) around 12 – 14K after purchase of no more than 6K . Total of 20 K invested with a potential of 50K profit. Of course this is no more than an estimate sight unseen of the car in person. My opinion well worth doing providing drive train is there and numbers matching.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Chris H.

    Mopar guys get rabid over stuff like this. The shop I used to work for resurrected a 4 speed Hemi Charger from a rusted out hulk just because it was a Hemi. Far too much money thrown at something with far too little return on investment. Anybody seen “Joe Dirt”?

    Like 0
  7. Avatar FRED

    I’VE ALWAYS LIKED THE LOOK OF THESE.IF THE BIDDING DOESN’T GET OUT OF CONTROL AND STAYS BELOW $5,000 AND NUMBERS MATCH AND THE RUST HASN’T EATEN MORE THAN IT HAS,AND IT DOESN’T NEED A BOAT LOAD OF PARTS, AND THE NEW OWNER CAN DO ALL THE WORK AND YOU GUYS SEE WHERE I’M GOING.A LOT OF IF AND ANDS APPLY TO THIS ONCE BEAUTIFUL BEAST.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar braktrcr

    I agree the seller knows little about this car….well any car, I imagine. As buyers we want to know what is missing, and what might be in the trunk. He/she states it is 429 HP, we know that is not the case, as blocks alone do not dictate HP, many other questions. Were Mopar engines red in late 60’s? I thought they were blue…Anyway I digress. Through Ebay, you can ask questions, and should, or better yet fly/drive to see the car. The money spent to inspect it would be minor compared to making a really bad purchase. I think the car would be a blast, but little info about rust and missing parts are red flags.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Walter Joy

      Orange were 440 HP and 426 (and some 340) Blue were everything else

      Like 0
  9. Avatar seth karpen

    yes dodge motors were blue back then

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Rancho Bella

    I was too harsh in my opinion as to the design of the these, my apologizes.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Ray

    Info from VIN decoder

    Engine: V8 440 CID 1-4BBL “RB” (High Performance)
    The massive 440 RB was produced from 1966 until 1978, making it the last of the Chrysler big-blocks. From 1966 to 1971, it was conservatively rated at 375 hp (280 kW) with a single four barrel and from 1969 to 1971, 390 hp (291 kW) with three two barrels. Both motors could produce 425 to 435 hp (317 to 324 kW). The 440 was known as the Magnum in Dodges, the Super Commando in Plymouths and briefly as the TNT in Chryslers.
    http://www.decodethis.com/Classic-Decoder/vin/WS23L9A261046

    Like 0

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