OK, it’s a muscle car body without the muscle! Or at least that’s how it presents itself with the blacked-out hood. Actually, the 1966 Dodge Coronet could pack a punch, if so optioned, and had great lines to accentuate its go. This example is a bit forlorn but it may have possibilities for a new life. Residing in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, this Dodge is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $2,550 with twenty-nine bids tendered as of this writing.
Three trim levels were available in ’66, the Coronet 500 (such as our subject car), Coronet Deluxe, and the plain old Coronet. The performance-themed R/T debuted in ’67 in a very similar-looking body design. Some of these images look like they were taken through a telescope but they do show body panel rust which the seller readily admits is an issue. He also mentions “had a little rust repaired in the frame“. Hmmm, I wonder how extensive the rust was, or still is? The underside is covered in scale and looks shaky, about what you would expect for a 56-year-old car that has been domiciled in Connecticut. Back to the black hood, a hot-rod vibe, or maybe it’s just primer. Notably, the rear bumper has received the same treatment.
Speaking of hotrods, while ’66 Coronets frequently started out that way, or ended up as such, this example isn’t as it is powered by a 230 gross HP, 318 CI V8 engine. “Runs and drives fine“, claims the seller. Now perhaps my eyes are deceiving me but is that 318 engine an “LA” variant as opposed to a 1966 vintage polysphere version? The image is dark and I can’t really get a thorough look at the valve covers. What says you? There is an operating video here, and at the least, the engine sounds like it could use some valve lash adjustment or maybe lifter replacement. As is typically found, a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission handles all things gear-related.
Now the interior looks better than one might think, at least based on the exterior’s weathered bearing. Well, there’s a reason for that as the listing states, “new legendary interior and door panels, seats and new headliner“. OK, that explains quite a bit and I must say that it looks pretty fair. There may be a few more details that could be covered like removing, if possible, the instrument panel dreck, and perhaps replacing the faded carpet, but the work that has been done so far constitutes a very solid start.
So, what’s next in store for this Coronet? There’s a day to go in the bidding and it’s not trending upward in bid value so it may well serve as a reasonable basis for a hot-rod or restomod project. That would be my wager. What’s yours?
Poly 318 was good, but the LA is better in many ways. Great car, do not even think of a big block here. Keep the 318. Rebuild as needed, maybe a slightly warmer cam, small 4bbl, dual exhausts, add vintage air and you are done sunshine. Now smile with every drive on a warm summers day. Body work can be a work in progress. After all, this is a hobby, right? Wish I could do it. What bliss.
Can’t be certain it’s a 318; if it looks like a 318, but sounds like a slant six (solid lifters), it’s a 273.
My ’66 Satellite is a 273, which was the base V8 for the “premium” B-bodies.
My father bought a new 1966 Coronet 440 and kept it until 1978. The whole time we had it, we thought it had a 318 V8. He even did some of his own maintenance, with parts bought for a 318. He gave the car to my cousin, who proceeded to put over 265,000 miles on it before taking it off the road for a front end rebuild that never came. It wasn’t until he’d had the car for years that he discovered it actually had an LA 273 V8 instead of the 318 the dealer said it had. I suspect that the 318 parts it had been receiving all those years had been meant for a 1967 or later LA 318.
Best looking year for the Coronet! My Uncle had one in that
great looking Teal color.
One of the best cars on barn finds for a long time. Thanks!
For 1966, the Coronet had four, not three, trim levels: the standard Coronet, the Deluxe, the 440, and the top of the line 500.
Ah yeah, that one too.
JO
I always thought this was such a nice body style for the Coronet. Too bad it only lasted for 2 years. I like the black and white interior too!
I had a 67 Coronet 500 one time; without a doubt the worst car I ever owned and I owned a lot of junkers over the years. Replaced 318 engine twice, 727 trans once, tie rod ends and ball joints twice and I only owned it one year. Boy was I glad when someone bought that thing from me. inside door and window handles/cranks broke off. Good luck to the next owner on this one.
God Bless America
This is a awesome car . Needs some TLC. Most definite a driver . That car is just missing one thing ……ME
I agree with just about everyone ,if this car was close to me, I would be all over it.
I hope it goes cheap for next lucky owner, im all about buying em cheap, mechanically sorting em then driving them.