After a six-year absence, the Coronet nameplate returned to the Dodge fold as a mid-size car in 1965. It was based on Chrysler’s B-body platform that had served as a full-size model from 1962 64. This 1969 Coronet 440 is a one-owner car that’s spent the past 25 years under a cover. Tuned up and ready to go, the Mopar is going to need some bodywork and a few more tweaks here and there. Located in Clermont, Florida, this original paint survivor is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $10,000.
In the popular 1968-70 generation, the Coronet was akin to the Plymouth Belvedere. At 195,000 units in 1969, it bested the Dodge Charger and the B-bodies in the other Chrysler division. The lineup started with the Deluxe, then the 440, followed by the 500, and finally the R/T. Not sure why they called the middle of the pack entry 440, as it had nothing to do with the big-block engine of that displacement. The seller’s car is a 440, and that model comprised more than half of all Coronet sales in ’69 (and all body styles, including wagons).
This 1969 Coronet 440 is said to be a one-owner car with 65,000 original miles. We’re told it’s been sitting for two-plus decades, perhaps under the semi-carport in one of the photos. Being idle has led to both rear quarter panels rusting out at the bottom (perhaps they can be patched). The rest of the body may be okay, and the car has never been in a wreck, so the paint is from the factory. Somehow, the rear bumper has become bent and twisted because it’s okay in the carport photo, but not in the others.
The Dodge has a numbers-matching 318 cubic inch V8 and TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Work has been done recently to get it semi-roadworthy, including two new tires (why not all four?), new brake lines and master cylinder, a new battery, and all the fluids have been drained and replaced. The Mopar runs well as a result, though a “bit more tuning and sorting” may be needed. The original vinyl upholstery has held up except for the front seat bottom, and the carpeting appears to have been removed. This could be a nice car to restore, though it won’t command the kind of coin a Charger or Super Bee will.
Owned a 1970 s door Coronet. Bought it for $28.50 Tax, title. It was B5 blue.
Some of the nicest lines for any car of the sixties. 318 is bullet proof as well. A great retro cruiser unlike a front heavy big block muscle car. Now, if the price isn’t too crazy.
I would have thought the V8 powered car would come with an 8 3/4 rear end.
It does have a 8 3/4
Sorry, it is a 8 1/4. ive owned dozens and never saw one with it
My grandparents’ bought this exact car new, only in dark green with black interior.
What I recall most distinctly about it was that the trunk floor rusted through in several places within like four years of Chicago winters. Grandma used gripe about having to put her groceries in the back seat when it would rain lol!
These were prolific rusters in salt states. And because they’re unibodies hat can be pretty expensive to set right.
And once the trunk floor rests out, you have to run with the HVAC fan running full blast all the time to keep the cabin pressurized to keep the exhaust/carbon monoxide from filtering in through the trunk. Just as I had to do with my 1968 Grand Prix! One of the main reasons I moved to Nevada from Chicago.
Well she thankfully lasted a long time after that!
The “440” designation first appeared on the top-level 1962 Dart. There was Dart, Dart 330, and Dart 440. Once they stopped using “330” in 1965 and introduced the 440 V8 in 1966, they probably should have dropped the “440” designation.
In 1977-78 my brother bought one of these out of Bob Turners junk yard. Brown with brown interior, 318 automatic. Paid 100 bucks for it, only problem was we could not get the title for it. Another one of my brothers was driving a 69 coronet that was licensed so we took the plates off it and put them on the brown one and drove it for a couple of weeks, we finally had to park it. Dad was raising too much hell about it, it finally got sent back to the junkyard
I have one. Even old-timers ask me… gotta 440 in it? Aaaah No! It’s a model designation. Not engine call out.
Isn’t this the same guy that had the ‘one owner’ 1971 Demon? Seems a little odd.
I thought the exact same thing. Seems a bit too coincidental.
He’s just a flipper
My dad had a four-door one of these when I was a little kid. It was a 440 model, but equipped with a 318. The perfect family car for the time he had it.
It has a lot of rust for the asking price, plus it needs interior work and who knows whatever else. These have great lines and this cleaned up well for the pictures, but it’s expensive considering the work the needs to be done.
Steve R
It is a 440 model. However it has 500 side trim and 500 hubcaps. I have a 1969 440 with a 318 that I bought new. From what I see same color, T7 Copper Metalic. People get confused because of the 440 on the fenders.
This one is too far gone, even though parts are available.
Nj car that retired to fla but not soon enough to stop all that vicious rust. great to see the owner standing proudly with it. this would be an upside-down restoration when done. the seller did state they have up and running but i did not see a fuel tank installed must running off a can
I am from NJ 30 years ago moved to Nevada. Agreed that EVERYTHING rusts inNJ.
The same goes for Illinois. Which is one of reasons I moved to Nevada over 40 years ago.
Same here in CT, another Rust State. I have many relatives in NH, it’s even worse up there !
Some one is going to drown fixing this thing. WAY to much money, will need every AMD body panel and years of effort for what?. It’s a 440, not even a 500. Its only a trim package, not performance related.
The color is T3. It’s right on the fender tag.
What a……92.5% feedback ? Bent the bumper before he could flip it fast enough….sold though now a 3 owner car but buyer most likely doesn’t care.
There are 3 negative feedbacks, two of which are identical, same user, same car, exact same complaint. Two from 40 sales, which all appear to be cars isn’t great, but sometimes buyers can be unreasonably picky.
Steve R