1966 Dodge Coronet 440 2 Door Hardtop 

Nomenclature can be a tricky thing.  More often than not, a car's name or numerical model indicates something about the car.  A 2003 Mercedes Benz SL500 has a 5 liter engine.  A BMW 330 used to have a 3 liter engine.  A Buick Electra 225 was 225 inches long.  But the Oldsmobile 4-4-2 did not have a 442 cubic inch engine.  And the Dodge Coronets, available models 440 and 500, did not translate to cubic inches under the hood. 

For consignment, a 1966 Coronet 440 that does have 440 cubes under the hood!  The base B body Coronet 440's were available in 2 door hardtop, sedan, convertible, or station wagon.  About 110,600 Coronet 440's were produced in 1966 and this is one of them! 

Exterior
Two stage Red Metallic paint covers this car in fine fashion.  It's not a flashy bright red but one that's more pedestrian brick red.  In typical mid 60's fashion, the car has more right angles than a Rubic's cube and both the front and rear fascia are perfectly vertical.  Four headlights are embedded in a finely grated grille that bends to meet the front fenders as they extend past the nose.  The chrome bumpers and other metal work, including the window trim, mirror, side spears, and door handles, are in excellent condition.  The sharply angled rear pillar is perhaps the most striking feature of the car, although the trapezoid shaped taillights are pretty amazing too.  15-inch Magnum 500 wheels are wrapped with 215/65/15 tires with a mid-2022 date code.  Imperfections included paint bubbles on the decklid and an antenna base plate that is loose. 

Interior
Black metal crowns over vinyl door panels cover the door in 60's simplicity.  The split bench front seats are covered in black vinyl and are in great shape, as is the rear bench in the same tuck and roll pattern, with the rear illumination provided by courtesy lights on the rear pillars.  The sidewalls and doors create a clean, uniform look with the repeating pattern.  The plastic steering wheel has a couple of cracks, and the horn ring has some patina but otherwise in decent condition.  The gear indicator is on the column along with the shifter.  The dash panel repeats the geometric pattern of the grille and houses a horizontal speedometer flanked by four rectangular gauges, more right angles!  An AM radio is in the center of the dash under which we find a tri-gauge pod with added Sunpro round gauges.  The black loop style carpet is in good condition and the charcoal headliner and black visors look great.  The trunk is clean and covered loosely with the period plaid mat. 

Drivetrain
A 440ci V8 from 1978 is under the modest hood.  It has a 4-barrel carburetor and is tied to an A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels via an 8.75” rear.   Power brakes all around with disc in front and drums out back.  The engine bay is very clean with orange wires that match the block and chrome Moroso valve covers. 

Undercarriage
Pleasantly clean and dry underneath with minimal surface rust and no dirt or grease build up anywhere!  The dual exhaust flow from headers to meet Flowmaster mufflers then a tailpipe that terminates discreetly under the car.  Torsion bar suspension is found up front while leaf springs out back.  Clean! 

Drive-Ability
If your earliest experience with cars is from cars of the 60's, there's something about the right angles and smell and feel of these cars that just hits home.  That's the case here as we crank the 440 and hit the test loop to confirm functionality.  The engine runs well and has decent power and acceleration.  We note the exhaust rattles against the undercarriage, the radio does not work, and the reverse lights do not operate.  It is, however, a smooth cruiser with great stopping ability too! 

This is a good running, good looking, straight and clean B-body from '66.  Its iconic square edges and simple interior was the trend in the mid 60's and this could be the poster car for the era.  If your motto is “Mopar or No Car” or you're missing a Dodge in your collection, this one might be worth looking into!

WH23E61223042

W-Dodge Coronet
H-High Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
E-318ci 2bbl V8
6-1966
1-Lynch Rd, MI Assy Plant
223042-Sequential Unit Number

FENDER TAG

u1-Sold Car
AB41-318ci 2bbl V8
C1-3 Speed Manual
R1-2 Watt AM Radio
SO NUMBER 22809462-February 28th
BDY WH23-Dodge Coronet High Price Class
TRM H6X-Black Vinyl
PAINT QQ1 B-Red Metallic, Black Interior Door Frames

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