Fix and Drive? 1968 Dodge Coronet 440

The Coronet nameplate had two lives at Dodge. From 1949 to 1959, it was a full-size automobile. Then, after a six-year hiatus, the moniker returned for another 11 years as a B-body intermediate. More than half of Coronet production in 1968 was the 440 series, an upper trim level. The seller’s 4-door sedan from ’68 has been dormant for five years, so it’s going to need a thorough inspection. Located in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, the seller has dispensed with a reserve here on eBay, and the current bid is $1,375, so somebody will get to take it home.

When you wandered into a Dodge dealership in 1968, they had five versions of the Coronet for you to check out. The basic Deluxe, 440, 500, Super Bee (budget muscle car), and R/T (premium muscle car). So, Dodge had something for everyone. The seller’s car was probably purchased as a primary family car with a 318 cubic inch V8 (2-barrel) and a TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Whether any of this is original is anyone’s guess, but we assume so. The engine colors are the correct Chrysler Engine Red (they wouldn’t switch to blue until the 1970s).

Posi-traction was an option selected for this car, so perhaps it was originally ordered for sale in the Northeast (slippery roads in the Winter). We’re told this Mopar runs and drives (carburetor?), but how well it gets the job done may be another matter. The interior is well-used, and at least the front bench seat will need to be recovered, if those things are important.

The blue paint on this Dodge is all used up, and there’s bound to be at least a hint of rust somewhere after 58 years, the last half-decade being inactive. A fellow named “Doc” is selling the car with 103,000 miles, and you’re invited to ask him questions about his prize. Since no crazy reserve price was set, maybe you could simply fix this car up and use it as a third vehicle without having to worry a lot about the cosmetics. Thanks for the tip, Russell J Glantz!