The current classic market is awash with potential project candidates, but many require significant work and a large cash injection before they can grace our roads. This 1950 Dodge Coronet Sedan is a different proposition. It would benefit from a cosmetic refresh, but remains presentable if the new owner wishes to pursue the “survivor” look. Its engine has seen better days, although the seller offers a solution that increases its appeal. However, it is the price that sets it apart, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Ted for spotting an undeniably affordable classic. The seller has listed the Coronet here on Facebook Marketplace in Orient, Ohio. They set their price at $2,800 OBO and may entertain trades.
Dodge introduced the Coronet to its model range in 1949. It was one of many new vehicles from most American manufacturers that replaced cars that were little more than slightly updated pre-war models. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1950, finished in Code 501 Black. The paint exhibits some deterioration but holds the type of warm shine reserved for genuine survivors from this era. It would undoubtedly benefit from a repaint, but the lack of panel damage and rust issues would allow the new owner to opt for preservation over restoration. The attraction is that any decisions on that subject could be taken at their leisure, which many rookies will find appealing. The trim looks in excellent condition for its age, and the glass is clean.
This Coronet’s interior isn’t perfect, but if a driver-grade classic is your goal, it ticks that box. There are no rips or holes in the upholstered surfaces, and no evidence of extreme wear. The kick panels would benefit from attention due to the wrinkles, but the carpet looks nice. One of the most attractive features of the interior is the bright trim. I am a great fan of Art Deco styling, and there are plenty of those touches across the inside of this classic. If you are an enthusiast with children heading into their teens, the enormous amount of rear legroom could be just what the doctor ordered.
The seller supplies no engine photos, but we know that every 1950 Coronet that rolled off the line featured a 230ci flathead six generating 103hp and 109 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed manual transmission with Fluid Drive, providing adequate performance and respectable long-distance cruising ability. The seller states that the car doesn’t run, with a couple of the flathead’s pistons stuck. Whether it is a candidate for a rebuild can only be determined by an in-person inspection, but there are alternatives. The seller includes a good replacement engine, so it might simply be a matter of bolting that in, performing a thorough inspection of the rest of the drivetrain, and hitting the road for classic motoring fun.
This 1950 Dodge Coronet isn’t an example of Mopar muscle, but it is a solid candidate for an affordable restoration. If you have had the desire to tackle a build but worry about the prospect of sinking untold thousands of dollars into that process, this classic could be an excellent alternative allowing you to develop your skills in case something more complex comes your way in the future. That is why this Dodge deserves more than a fleeting glance.
Man O man, here’s yet another nice car offered up at a ridiculously doubtful low price.
OK, this era of Mopars is pretty stodgy looking, but come on…$2800?? Is anything real anymore?
I know it’s been said like a million times,,by me, the “manual transmission” kills the deal. Time after time we see wonderful cars from our era, stack up like cord wood here, and the main reason they are for sale, I bet, is because nobody wants a stick. Watching recent auctions, Fl. I think, there’s method to my madness. Of course, the older muscle cars had 4 speeds, built the newer stuff, even Shelbys, all had automatics.
Stick shift? Shoot, that’s the cheapest anti-theft device available! The current brood of wusses who don’t know what to do with their left foot would have their nefarious intents blocked at the starting gate.
Heard of a guy who was carjacked. Shut off the engine and tossed the keys to the perp only to have him shout, “S**t, this is manual!”, where upon he exited stage left at a pretty good trot.
Respectfully disagree, Howard. The last thing holding this car back from a larger target market is the manual. Kids today can shift gears (motorcycles, 5.0 Mustangs, Subaru rally cars). And old boys like us take pride in lording that skill set over those who never learned it.
( BTW, at one point anybody who wanted to drive a car had to work a stick. It’s really not that hard.).
Actually, it’s the thugs that can’t drive the manuals. No Dad to show them how.
It is either manual transmission or Fluid Drive, not both. Although Fluid Drive does demand the clutch from a dead stop, to go forward, or backward, but is not as touchy as a regular gear box where clutching requires some skill, which, just about all of us learned, in times gone by, with a few awkward starts and stalls, but not hard to learn compared to texting with two thumbs.
If it has Fluid Drive, it is no harder to drive than an automatic transmission.
The Fluid Drive made the car incredibly slow from a start, as you were usually starting in third gear. The car was slow to begin with, of course, but much more driveable when shifted through the gears using the clutch. My first car was a 1950 Dodge Windsor, almost like this one but a two door humpback.
Yes, starting off in 3rd is slow. If you need a little pep, go through the gears. The best part was that you weren’t going stall the car by not working the clutch correctly.
I learned to drive on one of these, had a 3 on the tree and I recall letting off the gas in one of the gears for it to shift. Is that correct? Details are a little sketchy as it was 55 years ago.
I can practically inhale that old car smell through my screen. A business coupe would be cooler but I don’t hate this, especially for the price and condition. Hemi anyone?
Don’t know why, but I’ve always been partial to these circa ’50 Chrysler products. Roomy, comfortable, bulletproof but generally unexciting, just what the doctor ordered for relaxed motoring.
I’d pull the plugs and pour generous quantities of penetrating oil into each cylinder. Then I’d bake the block with a few infrared heat lamps and, only after a few days, fit a breaker bar and appropriate socket to the crank and try gently “bumping” it in both directions until it freed up.
Those engines are great and ‘way under-stressed. They’ll go forever given a modicum of care and even made great boat engines where they’re under load a greater percentage of the time than they are in automotive use.
I’ve said it before: If you want to experience what motoring was like at the time of a car’s design, live with the whole thing, drum brakes and all. If you only want to stand out with something different and like the design but still wanna “go,” then swap out brakes, engine, etc. However,
Not my cuppa.
Listing has been deleted. Somebody got a good deal.
Had 51 plymie back in the day. Back seat came in real handy at the drive-in!
I remember that the 1950 Dodge was one of the longest-lasting cars from that era — many still in daily use 25 years later — the “beaters” you couldn’t kill. I’ll BET that I could buy one of these, and then drive it for the rest of my life.