1966 Dodge Coronet 500

If you're asking yourself what a Coronet is, then you wouldn't be alone. The Coronet is a car that we always forget has been around since the late '40s. As a 4-door sedan, it started life as a mid-sized post-war car that was somewhat up-scale in relative to its Dodge brothers and sisters As the years went by, its core competency didn't change much as it was still a 4-door sedan in standard form but once Chrysler started building their muscle car era-defining V8s, things changed for the Coronet.

For consignment, a White Hat Boys Company version of the 1966 Coronet. This one has a powerful 361ci V8 wedge under the hood, several recent new parts put on, and steel panels that were formed by machinery, that left us fab gaps and bathed with a respray of burgundy paint.

Exterior
This unassuming car presents as a grocery getter at first glance. However, when one looks closely there are many factors that say otherwise. The dual headlight front grille is flat and has an electric shaver styled grille in shiny chrome. This panel is halved in the center by a vertical strut, and surrounding the outside is a wrap-around trimming which presents a slight misalignment at the hood/fender panel seam. A bumper below is tucked neatly into the bottom, and on either side of the headlights is an angled inward signal light. A smooth long hood bathed in a respray of maroon paint, is flanked by the front quarters which are trimmed in the wheel wells with aluminum and sport Coronet 500 and 440 Magnum badging in the front. Doors are hung very straight, having shiny handles on them, and a clean driver's door mirror. For the rear quarters it starts getting more exciting as there is a flare that has some faux venting on it which frames the rear tires and wheels, and this thins at the back of the rear quarters. Above an ever thinning B pillar eventually lands on the top of the rear quarters and is trimmed in chrome for the drip edges and windows. A long trunk deck wraps around the back of the car and a horizontal trim with DODGE badging is on the center of flared outward tail lights. Another clean bumper hangs below. 14-inch Mopar Road wheels are on all 4 corners with nearly new staggered width rubber and framed nicely by the trimmed wheel wells all around.

Interior
A swing of the door reveals the black interior, appearing original and it is all in very good preserved condition. Black horizontal stitched panels are reserved for the center of the doors where the actuator and armrest and the window crank are located. The bottom panel is black carpeting, and the top sill is painted black metal. Long horizontal trimmings delineate these door panels. Inside the tuck and roll continues in earnest with bomber styles buckets that have many rows of tuck and rolling and smooth bolsters. A bit of chrome trimming to the edges adds bling. An aluminum paneled center console is between these snazzy buckets, and it races towards the dash with a floor shifter inserted. Seen is the original black plastic steering wheel, complete with center horn ring fratzog, fronting an original dash which is very clean and covered in black with lots of trimmings surrounding the instruments. We note the heater push buttons, factory AM radio and aftermarket tachometer all occupying dash central. The rear bench, with more tuck and roll, is in very nicely preserved condition and stretches from black covered side panel to side panel. Black carpeting floods the floors, and above is a nice tight headliner.

Drivetrain
A flip of the hood, and in a gleaming burgundy engine bay, now resides a super looking and performing 361ci V8 bathed in blue. This is dressed with a black and orange pie plate 440 Magnum air cleaner assembly atop the 2bbl carburetor. All new electronic ignition and a thermostat are seen, and no rust is present even for the exhaust manifolds. Aftermarket power steering is now on and the mill sports chromed valve coverings with the originals included. On the back is a circa 1970 A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission with a new pan gasket, filter and fluid change done in September 2022. An 8-3/4-inch rear axle spins the back tires.

Undercarriage
Underneath, some slight surface rust is noted but all structurally sound with plenty of undercoating still attached to the floor pan and inner fenders. Noted also is a new fuel tank, rear shocks and lower front ball joints. Independent torsion bar front suspension is on and looking good and leaf springs are on the back. Drum brakes are provided by the factory and are on all 4 corners. For the exhale we see nearly new dual exhaust with stock style mufflers.

Drive-Ability
This car drives like there is no tomorrow! Plenty of 361ci power, smooth acceleration and automatic shifting as we get up to speed in a hurry. Nice handling for a large car, and the interior provided plenty of comfort and room. All functions were working just fab save for the AC which has been removed, the clock not ticking away time and the reverse lights not lighting. Also, our consignor notes that the new tachometer is not hooked up.

This car is hot! Literally with the deep end of the pool maroon paint, road wheels, 361ci Wedge engine, 2-barrel carburetor, and original major tuck and roll paneled interior. Definitely worth a look as it's a classic muscle car from the movement's infancy, and all looking great!

WP23F67182491

W-Dodge Coronet
P-Coronet 500
23-2 Door Hardtop
F-361ci V8 2bbl
6-1966
7-St Louis, MO Assy Plant
182491-Sequential Unit Number

FENDER TAG

a6-Console
b4-Bucket Seats
Q6-Unknown
AB51-361ci V8
C5-Automatic
G1-26" Radiator
R1-AM Radio
S1-Heat & AC
SO NUMBER-01608034
BDY WP23-Coronet 500 2 Door Hardtop
TRM P4X-Black Vinyl
PNT Illegible

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.