In 1968, Chrysler’s B-body intermediate platform was a veritable Swiss army knife, spawning cars that ranged from mild to wild. In the middle of that spectrum lies this Cornet 440, which is located near Dallas, Texas and for sale here on Craigslist for $7,000.
The “440” designation does not refer to the size of the engine in this car. Rather, it was a model designation in the Cornet line, which in 1968 included the base Coronet, Coronet Deluxe, Coronet 440, Coronet 500 and Coronet R/T. And of course the platform also spawned the legendary Super Bee and Charger. Ironically, the 440 model would not have been available with the 440 cubic inch engine, the customer would have had to step up to the R/T for that mill. And being the middle child in the family, this 440 split the difference between options, performance, and price. (Speaking of options, this one does have the nice fender-mounted turn signal indicators seen above).
The 383 2-barrel engine in this car is another good example of this. Mild enough for Mom to drive, it probably also surprised a few Mustangs back in the day when junior was behind the wheel. The seller makes no mention of it’s running condition, but does say the car has been sitting for a long time in the same spot, which likely doesn’t bode well.
Perhaps the first photo of the spot? Parking on dirt and covering a car with a tarp for a long time is usually a recipe for an unpleasant rust surprise when it’s eventually removed. The seller states there is a “little” rust, and adds “Will need floor pan in the rear seat”.
Inside we see the basic interior has mostly survived, although the door panels look warped, the floors are quite muddy and the front seat looks as if it may have been recovered at some point. I always loved the thumbwheel radios.
The fender tag indicates the car started life with a 383 2-bbl with a/c, automatic transmission, and light blue poly paint with a white top. Whether or not it is numbers matching would require an in-person examination of the engine and other parts. Being a 383 car, that may not be as much of a factor in the car’s value as if it were an R/T or Super Bee. Still, it retains the aggressive good looks and same basic underpinnings as it’s more muscular brethren. That makes it suitable for either a factory restoration or a modern restomod treatment. Which way would you go? And thanks to Jerry K for the tip on this!
Looks like it would be a fun car to drive, with all that power and factory AC. Hope it finds a good home!
Have to love the bug shield lol
Yeah those bug shields are a thing of the past. A past where the environment was less toxic. No we don’t miss the bugs but when the bugs go so will we. Here in Canada our forest are becoming dioramas – places where you go to see what life once looked like as in a museum. The bugs that made it all functional have been killed off in the war against black flies and mosquitoes. Not many people understand what really happened when people stopped needing bug screens.
Too bad more people aren’t really more aware of what you posted. I agree with your observations entirely.
Brings back memories. My first car was a Coronet 500 sedan this year with a 318 and bucket seats. This one isn’t in bad shape considering they were prone to rusting at an early age, especially on top of the front fenders.
One of my best friend’s brothers had one of those back when I was in high school in the mid 70’s. Gold and in much better shape than this one. He was getting a new used car and I asked him about selling me the Coronet. He told me he was going to scrap it because the tranny was slipping and then proceeded to smash out all of the windows with a hammer. I was pissed.
Money pit.
Find one in better shape.
The turn signals were Federally mandated standard equipment for the 1968 model year. Mother Mopar dreamed up these nifty little round porthole designed units, whereas everyone else took the big and clunky route (think 68 Mustang, for instance). In 69, Mopar joined the pack with unimaginative side markers, and wound down the era of the last interesting American cars.
’69 Mopar found a loophole and they are only reflectors. ’70-’71 had the recessed sidemarkers, but in ’72 the ‘universal’ rectangular ones were slapped on. Used up into the early ’90’ S on P/U’s & Ramchargers
I bought a coronet 440.The trucking out fit I drove for one of the girls had driven it to work and parked it in the back where no would see it. I asked her about it and she said it was her grand mother car and she was embaress to drive it. I struck up a deal with her and it was mine. Now it only had the 318 in it but it had A.C. which helped in Flordia.I took it to a big famous A. C. shop and they said it couldn’t be fixed and everything would have to be specially made for and it would cost big$$$$. I then took it to a small shop in town a little old man ran the place. He said he would look at it. Next day I picked it up and it had cold A.C.I asked him what he had done and he said he just replaced the shrader valve pulled a vacumn and charged it up. I repainted it and drove it for years. Loved it. Most people saw the 440 badge and thought it was a bad ass car. LOL.Bruce.
My oldest brother bought a new one in 68, same as this one, although I don’t know if it was a 318 or 383. Same colors. He totalled the first one when he missed a curve and ended up in a field. Insurance bought him another just like it, and he ended up rear-ending someone. He wasn’t a good driver. Took it to Baltimore with him when he moved from Illinois.
Never could understand why Mopar badged a car with 440 and then didn’t offer it with the 440. Even if it would have competed with it’s R/T sibling. What were the marketing folks thinking? Weird
“440” was the model designation for the mid price range Dodge B-body starting with the 1963 models – three years before the 440 engine was introduced for C-bodies. They made Coronet 440’s through the 1970 model year. My first car was a ’67 440 hardtop- 318 LA powered
Had a 67 Coronet 500. 318 727 buckets console white Ext red int. Bought for $200 sold for $500. I used to buy and sell a lot of cars.The thing was never register the car in your name. Keep title signed from who you bought it from, and don’t put anything in writing. I flipped a lot of cars that way without having a dealers license. Of course that was many years ago.
My wife had a yellow 68 Coronet 440 just like this but yellow with black vinyl top. I remember how big the front seat was LOL If it had good wheels and the tail stripe it would have fooled lots of people back then.
This is an interesting car when I was young my dad had a 69 road runner with a 383 and it had a Holly 4 bbl of some sort I remember it was a double pumper because I helped dad overhaul the carb., I do not know if the carb was original or not? It was a 4 speed car and had loud exhaust and it went pretty dogone fast in my book, obviously good enough that my mom made him get rid of it! I never could figure that out?
Looks like a great buy as long as the undercarriage isn’t rotted out!
MY BIL bought a new’69 Coronet RT 440 Magnum, 4 speed. That thing was a rocket. I mentioned the car a few months ago and my sister said it was a pile of junk,and they spent a fortune trying to keep it running. It was a beautiful dark green with the racing stripe around the trunk. When he blew the engine I wanted to buy it but my sister wouldn’t let him sell it to me. It was only 3 years old and he practically gave it away for $500.
I wish this was sitting under a tarp in my yard!
Just bought it. Time to restore it.
I always thought that the R/T was a sharp looking car. Better than the Super Bee.
Anyway, I admit I don’t know much about Plymouth or Dodge cars being a GM but. Can you guys enlighten me on how tough the transmissions were?
Did they have some over the years to stay away from or to look for? I very much appreciate your comments!