While some enthusiasts are irresistibly drawn toward classics that loudly and proudly announce their performance credentials, others prefer theirs with a touch of subtlety. That is the case with this 1965 Dodge Coronet 500. There is little to indicate how potent this classic is and how the V8 under its hood should churn out enough power to satisfy the most hardened individual. It presents well for its age, with its only immediate need being a new home. The Coronet is listed here on Craigslist in Fox Lake, Illinois. The seller set their price at $45,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tim P for spotting this fantastic classic.
This Coronet has spent most of its life in Arizona, which is good news for potential buyers. It makes its rust-free exterior unsurprising, while the underside shots confirm this Dodge is as solid as the day it rolled off the line. The seller admits it received a prior repaint in its original Code W White, and it continues to present well. An in-person inspection will probably reveal flaws in the paint and panels, but there are no glaring issues in the supplied photos. The trim is in good order, as is the glass. This is an unassuming-looking vehicle, although the Torq Thrust wheels hint that there could be more to this beauty than first meets the eye.
Coronet buyers in 1965 could order their new toy with a 426 “Wedge” under the hood, and while the VIN for this car confirms it started life powered by a V8, it is unclear whether it was a Wedge. The standard Wedge for this model year placed 365hp and 470 ft/lbs of torque under the driver’s right foot. However, this motor was recently built to Rancharger specs, including a 0.030″ overbore. It inhales deeply through pair of Carter 650cfm carburetors, with the spent gases exiting via a set of headers and a dual exhaust. An unmodified Ramcharger of 1963 vintage produced 415hp, but I suspect the figure might be higher in this case. The ponies feed to a 3.23 rear end via an A-727 automatic transmission, putting a low-14-second ¼-mile ET within reach. The listing suggests that although it has the power to burn, this classic is not highly-strung. The seller says it can be driven on the street, but it probably wouldn’t be a practical daily driver.
This Dodge’s interior is original, carrying items like the bucket seats and console that were the hallmarks of the range-topping Coronet 500. The seller claims it is original, and if that is accurate, it must have spent most of its life in Arizona hidden away from the baking sun. The Black vinyl upholstered surfaces look excellent, with no wear or physical damage. The same is true of the dash, pad, console, and carpet. There are aftermarket gauges to monitor the beast lurking in the engine bay, a sports wheel, and what appears to be a B&M shifter. Otherwise, it is unmolested and in excellent order. There is no radio, but who needs one when you can listen to the beautiful bass tune produced by the Wedge under the hood?
I’m always drawn to classics that are sleepers, and my feelings are no different with this 1965 Dodge Coronet 500. It presents nicely, and only its wheels act as an indication of its true potential. Leaving those in place would improve brake cooling, although bolting on the original wheels and hubcaps would lull many people into a false sense of security. Values have taken a recent hit, although the seller’s price looks competitive in the current market. It could never be considered cheap, but it has only been on the market for a few days. I suspect it won’t take long for it to find a new home.
Wow. Thank you for the trip in the “WayBack” machine, Adam. Understated and underrated, one of these owned the streets back in the day running against unsuspecting rich kids that got a new 396 Chevy or 390 Ford from daddy and mommy as a “go play somewhere” present..
Love to have this.
Hope it finds a deserving home.
GLWTS
The wedge is a highly desirable engine. I wonder how much of the value of that car is in the engine itself?
That’s a lot of car and I love it!
Again, this car is not an AMC. In any way shape or form.
Duh
AMC owners could hardly care less about anything manufactured by MoPar. We do not consider ourselves to be part of the MoPar family. If someone who owns an AMC wants to purchase a Max Wedge clone, or a Ramcharger (Hemi or SUV) they can easily push the buttons: d-o-d-g-e. Yes, that is correct. AMC owners react with umbrage to the nonsense that “AMC never built their own motors” or that the AMX is a MoPar and all the other insulting claptrap that emanates from a bunch of dilettantes.
WTF is this AMC crap?
This car appears very, very, nice from what I can see. Lots of cash spent on the engine, no doubt there. Need to know if it’s an original 426 street wedge car. Someone may have taken the original block & built it to Max Wedge specs. All in all, a nice Mopar, and with proper tuning could be street driven no problem. Not overpriced either,that’s a lot of sleeper & rust free.
This Dodge could have been a 383 or 318. This 426 was installed. A factory Ramcharger would have high beams delete. Just the low beams. The left and right side windows would be plastic and you pull it down and up. The front seats would be out of a A100 van . The factory exhaust manifold were the Elephant Ears. With factory cut outs. It’s had single exhaust to save money since it was removed away. Or just open up the cut outs. It Had a plate with 4 bolts. The engine it self was monster with 13.1 compression. The bumpers were made of aluminum. This one here is a sweet Mopar. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
So this car could definitely been a factory street wedge car. I see no where in the ad that states a factory max wedge car. Of course they would be different animals!
Interesting…I see wipers but no wiper motor? Am I missing something?
Blocked forever. But why are sorta ugly mopars considered so wonderful? Just a silly question.
Not sorta ugly at all.
there is a real one with a 4 speed sitting about 25 miles from me. I first saw it around 1985 sitting at the owners house, the chrome air cleaner was in the back seat with the shifter sticking up between the seats. He moved it about 20 years ago to where it can’t be seen from the road. NFS
I wonder how many cars have been eternally lost to the rust gods due to that dreaded disease: Imgoingtorestoreitonedayitis?
Maybe you wouldn’t daily drive this car but me & lose because I would no problem! Maybe to the point I would be a snob!
What?
paging chrysslsss
I bet any of us could pilot this rocket 🚀 better than a low 14 ET. 🤔
I love this car!, I’m also a Mopar lover. I think this car could easily be a 13 second car, as is.
To John C W…. You need to go to the library or computer look up Mopars 60-65 to understand the engineering and the mighty engines that go with it. Either you get or don’t. I grew up with Mopars and will die with Mopars. That’s who I am.. To me there is no such thing as a Ugly Mopar. That’s a oxymoron!!! ☺️
Lovely looking car. I’ve always liked the 1965 Dodge Coronet, along with the 1966 and 67. I wouldn’t be so willing to pay $45,000 for a car like this, however extensively modified it may be. I’d pay around $25k for the car.
WOW, I’m a late 60’s/early 70’s muscle car freak, hs ’76 grad. I had a ’68 Stang 390GTA, ’70 Nova SS350 (built in hs auto-shop) & ’70 Torino 429CJ in my youth but this checks all boxes in the nostalgia crisis I’m going through. Presently I drive an ’03 Porsche 911/996 turbo (last year analog, I hate the new digital crap). I have been hoping to find a subtle monster that is checkbook friendly in today’s crazy market of muscle! Hmmm???