1965 Dodge Coronet

Description

This 1965 Dodge Coronet has the right combination of originality, performance, and attitude that makes mid-60s Mopars so special. From the handsome styling to a strong-running 273 cubic inch V8, this neat hardtop is an unusual Dodge that delivers performance and big car comfort in one sleek package.

If this car has been repainted, it was a while ago and the burgundy paint looks pretty original to us. That means it's not perfect, but it does have an honest shine that might get even better with some attention. The color combination is excellent, perfect for highlighting Chrysler's famous cantilever styling, with the Coronet in particular wearing it especially well. That paint also showcases some very straight bodywork, which is critical on a car like this, which is all angles and flat planes, so there's no place for haphazard bodywork to hide. The doors open and close with impressive precision, indicative of Chrysler's quality in the '60s, and everything lines up rather well. The trim shows some signs of age, with the usual light pitting and fading on many of the components, but given the car's overall look and the just-right patina, we think it looks right and the important stuff like the tail panel, lenses, and glass is all in great condition.

The all-original red cloth interior looks surprisingly welcoming and shows quite well considering it's 50 years old. UV rays and time are tough on red fabrics, so there's a bit of fading, but nothing that would warrant replacement. Perhaps the most interesting feature is good old three-on-the-tree shifting, which makes this big hardtop a lot of fun to drive, but you also get that cool steering wheel and pushbuttons for the ventilation system, a very futuristic touch in 1965. The gauges are original and show rather well and the factory-installed AM radio is still in the dash, although it's probably ready for an upgrade. The back seat is remarkably spacious and it feels bright and airy inside thanks to that dramatic roofline and plenty of glass. You also get a massive trunk that's equipped with a recent plaid mat and a full-sized spare on a matching painted steel wheel.

The 273 cubic inch V8 under the hood makes the Coronet a lot of fun to drive. As far as we can tell, this is the car's original engine and it's nicely detailed in Hemi Orange and quite stock, so it has that super-smooth idle that made Chryslers famous in the 1960s. There's also plenty of torque, especially with the 3-speed manual gearbox, and with a 2.5-inch dual exhaust system, it certainly sounds as racy as it looks. Dance with the clutch properly and the car launches effortlessly and snaps to attention when you crack the throttle. Underneath, you get Chrysler's famous torsion bar front suspension that rides well and offers reasonably sporty handling, while out back there's an 8.75-inch rear end with highway-friendly gears, so this coupe is a great highway car. The chassis is also original, so it's not detailed, but it also looks to have spent its life someplace where snow and salt were not a problem and it looks awesome sitting on Magnum 500s with fat 225/60/15 Uniroyal radials all around.

We love the way this car looks, the way it sits, and best of all, the price tag. A cool Mopar with V8 power and a reasonable price tag means you can be having fun this weekend for not a lot of cash. Call now!