1967 Dodge Coronet 440

Description

Chrysler might have been a little late to the pony car party, but they practically invented personal muscle with cars like this 1967 Dodge Coronet 440 hardtop. In addition to the beautiful, cantilevered roof styling, this slick 2-door offers 440 V8 big block power, a select choice of upgrades, great colors, and because these Mopars are seldom-seen out on the road and at local cruise nights, you can bet on getting plenty of attention.

The handsome straight lines of these big 2-door cars have really aged well. They capture the '60s almost perfectly, with dynamic, angular lines and wonderful detailing they wear it proudly. Aside from the bright red paint, which really looks striking in person by the way, the most dramatic feature must be those quarter panels which seem to be pointing forward into the future. The one part of the '60s we're glad it didn't bring with it was a dreadful color, which would be about as stylish as an avocado-colored refrigerator today, and instead wears a vivid red shade that's a lot more attractive and will never go out of fashion. The sheetmetal is straight and in great shape, with doors that fit well, and when it was painted it was thoroughly disassembled and done right, and the results speak for themselves today. No, it's not a show-stopper, but it's truly beautiful in person, with only the smallest of imperfections that the majority of the population would overlook. And yes, the curb appeal is through the roof when you're standing right next to this Coronet. Much of the trim remains original and it really pops out from the red, including the "electric shaver" grille, the bright bumpers, and all the brightwork around the glass and roof that shines up so well you'll never want to leave this baby out in the rain.

White upholstery is always the right choice in a red car, and the combination of original, aftermarket, and NOS parts inside this Mopar's cabin blend together perfectly. Gorgeous vinyl upholstery on the front bucket seats and rear bench means this car was made for cruising, the white door panels were stitched to match, and the plush black carpets, taut black headliner, and mostly black dashboard tone things down a bit inside. A factory center console splits the front seats and houses an aftermarket shifter that manages the automatic transmission below, matching the look of the cool, original steering wheel mounted at the head of the cockpit. The dash and gauges are crisp and sharp, with the radio and HVAC controls removed and ready for an upgrade. Out back, the rear bench looks like it hasn't been used since the car was restored and the massive trunk now carries a large, relocated fuel cell mounted in the center – another appeal to the no-nonsense Coronet's dedication to performance.

Despite the car's size, it's a relative lightweight piece, so the 440 cubic inch V8 under the hood delivers stirring performance. It's a powerful block that seems to have been built to stock specs, without the feel of a lopey cam or anything like that inside, so it's smooth and torquey at any speed and runs like a sewing machine. However, there are a few performance upgrades including a big Holley 4-barrel that sits atop an Edelbrock aluminum air-gap, an MSD coil, and properly run long-tube headers at the flanks that all add a bit of umph to the big block, and it's beautifully dressed with finned M/T valve covers and a matching Mopar open-element air cleaner. Power steering and power 4-wheel disc brakes are welcome additions to a car that can gather speed like this one can and the Torque Flite 3-speed automatic transmission always seems to find the right gear when you need it. An X-pipe dual exhaust with twin Dynomax mufflers give it an awesome muscle car sound and the undercarriage is in great shape with newer components throughout. Awesome Speed Street wheels have the right look and they carry staggered 26x8x15 front and fat 28x12x15 rear Mickey Thompsone blackwall radials that enhance the car's serious performance demeanor.

For the Chrysler fan who likes to go a little bit outside the lines, this Coronet 440 delivers plenty of performance with a more grown-up look. Call today!