We regularly see classic cars here at Barn Finds that leave us wanting more. That is the case with this 1965 Dodge Coronet 500. The owner supplies limited blurry photos of this muscle car that reveal that it could be a satisfying restoration project for the right person. This vehicle represents a significant project build, but with its original and numbers-matching 426ci V8 Street Wedge motor included in the sale, the finished product should be a car that is both stunning looking and potent. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder MikeP for referring this classic to us. It is located in Willoughby, Ohio, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price at $10,750, although he may be prepared to consider reasonable offers. Let’s take a closer look at this Dodge to see whether it is a restoration that you would be willing to tackle.

This is not the first time that we have seen this Coronet. It was previously featured in this article by our own Josh Mortensen back in 2016. It seems that little has changed since then, and the seller continues to use the same photos in his current listing. He only supplies two exterior shots, and only one of them is clear enough to be able to determine that you are actually looking at a classic car. It is hard to assess the state of this Dodge and whether it features any significant rust problems. However, the owner does not mention any in the listing, so maybe we need to be a little bit optimistic on that front. Even if there are rust issues, replacement steel is readily available and very affordable. The seller refers to this Coronet as being partially dismantled for restoration. He says that it is missing very few parts, and there are items visible inside the vehicle. It isn’t clear whether this includes the glass or whether the buyer will be facing the effort and expense of sourcing replacement pieces. There also appears to be some trim and chrome inside the car, but its condition is also unclear. The interior is pretty badly shredded and will require a total restoration. Several items are missing, including components like the radio. The buyer will probably choose to invest in a trim kit to return this interior to its former glory, and although this will be a reasonable expense, it is also a one-off cost.

Turning our attention to news of a positive nature, this Coronet is numbers-matching. The owner has removed both the motor and transmission from the car, but they and all of the peripheral components do appear to be present. The buyer will receive a 426ci Street Wedge V8, backed by a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This V8 would have produced 365 HP in its prime, which was enough to launch the Coronet through the ¼-mile in a relatively rapid 14.8 seconds. The state of this engine is unclear, but since the owner appears to be pretty approachable, he may be willing to answer questions on this subject.

As a restoration project, this 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 will require a dedicated new owner to see the work through to completion. If it requires significant metalwork, this could undermine its viability as a project car. It is a harsh reality that’s Street Wedge Coronets don’t command high values. In fact, there have been recent sales of more desirable Hemi-equipped vehicles that have changed hands for under $35,000. It is to be hoped that the owner of this Coronet is willing to negotiate on the price because its financial viability is questionable unless the buyer can perform most of the work themselves. Even then, it could still be touch-and-go. With those thoughts in mind, is this a project that you might consider tackling?