This 1969 Dodge Coronet 500 Convertible is an unfinished project, and I consider it a rare discovery. It doesn’t run or drive, but a weekend of hard graft in a home workshop could potentially return it to a roadworthy state. Most unfinished projects that cross our desks at Barn Finds typically require major work to reach their conclusion, but this Coronet is a pleasant surprise. That must make it worth a close look, since it appears to have only one non-urgent cosmetic shortcoming. The seller has listed the Coronet here on eBay in Uniontown, Ohio. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve, sitting at $20,200 at the time of writing.
After a five-year absence, the Coronet reappeared as part of Dodge’s model lineup in 1965. The Fifth Generation featured crisp, clean styling, offering buyers a wide selection of factory options and engines before its replacement hit the market in 1971. This Coronet 500 Convertible emerged in 1968, and can be considered an unfinished project build. The Fender Tag confirms that it left the line wearing Code F8 Dark Green, but the refresh included a color change to striking Code B7 Medium Blue. The car’s overall presentation is pretty impressive. The paint retains a beautiful depth of color and shine, with no evidence of chips or other defects. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the builder made the wise choice of sourcing this beauty from the dry climes of Arizona. Therefore, the fact that the underside shots reveal zero rust in any of the typically prone areas is unsurprising. The trim and glass look excellent, as do the wheels. The only cosmetic shortcoming is the soft-top, which has deteriorated significantly. However, replacements in the correct material and color retail for under $600, and fitting one would be the perfect finishing touch.
The seller discovered one enormous mystery with this Coronet: They have no idea what happened to the car’s original 383ci V8 and three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. I suspect that both were removed during the build, allowing the owner to detail the engine bay to a high level. Why they weren’t bolted back in is unknown. The 383 was quite a useful weapon, producing 330hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque. I previously stated that I believed a weekend’s hard work could return this Coronet to a roadworthy state, and I stand by the belief. The car has sat for a few years, but features a new fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines, and new wheel cylinders. The photos also suggest that the wiring harness may be new. With a motor, a TorqueFlite, a radiator, an exhaust, and a few ancillaries, this Convertible could be up and running fairly quickly. There will probably be a few further minor tasks, but from roller to running in a couple of days appears to be a realistic goal.
One aspect of this Coronet needing virtually nothing is its interior. The dashpad is cracked, but that appears to be the only bad news. The previous owner replaced the seatcovers and carpet, but the seller believes that the remaining Black vinyl is original. The fact that this build never proceeded beyond the roller stage makes the lack of wear-and-tear unsurprising. Therefore, if the winning bidder sources and installs a new pad, this interior would look pretty sweet. It may not feature such creature comforts as air conditioning or power windows, but bucket seats, a console, an AM radio, and lashings of woodgrain still convey a luxurious impression.
Sadly, I have found no definitive figures confirming how many Dodge Coronet 500 Convertibles were produced in 1969. However, with overall “500” production accounting for 15.8% of all Coronet sales that year, this is a relatively rare vehicle. This one presents beautifully, and enthusiasts with a spare 383 and TorqueFlite floating around in their workshop could get it running and driving in a few days. If they then added a replacement top, the build would be essentially complete. That makes this Coronet 500 Convertible worth a close look.
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