Under normal circumstances, finding a classic like this 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T sitting exposed to the elements with no glass would be a recipe for disaster. It would be fair to expect that the car would be riddled with rust and that it would have deteriorated beyond the point of no return. However, this Coronet springs a surprise or two. Thanks to a dry climate, its rust problems are minimal, with most being little more than dry surface corrosion. It is begging for somebody to treat it to the TLC that it richly deserves. If you feel up to the challenge, you will find the Coronet located in Stanton, Texas, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at $2,575 in a No Reserve auction.

It’s time to take a deep breath and absorb all that this Coronet has to offer. It wears its original Y2 Yellow paint, but it is no surprise that this is well beyond its best. There is also evidence to suggest that it rolled off the showroom floor with a vinyl top, but this is long gone. It appears that this car has been sitting exposed to the elements for some time, which explains the visible surface corrosion. The owner candidly states that it has rust in all of the usual areas, but there isn’t a vast amount visible in the supplied photos. There is some present around the back window, and it appears there is also some emerging in the rear quarter panels. It isn’t clear how healthy the frame rails are, but the floors and trunk pan seem to wear little more than heavy surface corrosion. There are no signs of penetrating rust, so they may respond positively to media blasting. Most exterior chrome will require restoration or replacement, while there is no glass. The buyer will probably choose a rotisserie restoration, but on the plus side, there won’t be a lot of dismantling involved before this process can begin.

This Coronet would have been a potent package when it was shiny and new. Its original owner ordered it with the 440ci V8 that produced 375 hp. That power found its way to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. While it may not have been as fast as its Hemi-equipped sibling, a ¼ mile ET of 13.9 seconds was not something to be sneezed at. For potential buyers, there is some bad news to consider. The rear end is from a 1970 Coronet, while the rest of the drivetrain is gone. That will leave the buyer with some choices to make. Sourcing a date-correct engine and transmission should not be difficult, although they may choose to slot in a Hemi to unleash some serious performance potential. It will come down to personal preference, but it is worth remembering that this aspect of the project could potentially absorb a few dollars.

The “incomplete” theme continues when we open the doors and scout around inside this Coronet. Apart from the column and wheel, all interior trim and hardware is gone. This includes the dash and seats, which means that the buyer will face a long shopping list to return the interior to its best. On the plus side, it allows them the opportunity to create the car of their dreams without being constrained by existing trim colors or materials. The original Fender Tag is intact, so if the buyer is intent on a faithful restoration, they will be able to ascertain the trim colors from this. Once again, this is an aspect of this project that could consume some serious cash.

There’s no way of sugarcoating this, but this 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T will represent a significant restoration project. However, it appears to have strong bones, and since it is a blank canvas proposition, the buyer could create the Coronet of their dreams. With values on the R/T version continuing to grow significantly, it could be worth the time and effort to return this classic to its former glory. The question is, are you up for the challenge?