Robadr uploaded to the CC Cohort these lovely shots of a 1967 Dodge Coronet sedan found in British Columbia. The type of average hard-working, working-class model that’s become a rarity by neglect; the once common 4-door sedan in 6-cyl. form, that a family (or fleet owner) would have chosen over any of the then-hyped muscle car offerings. Hype that all said, worked –the afterglow of that muscle era has been a mighty one, and as such, the survival ratio of these working-class tamer variants has been low. So, let’s give these now-rare survivors a couple of minutes of attention.
By ’67, the Coronet was riding its last year of squarish formal styling, first introduced for the 1965 model year. The Coroner moniker had made a return to Dodge’s lineup that same year after being absent for a few seasons. Reintroduced to christen the division’s “new” midsize offering, which now rode on a shortened 117″ version of the B-body, which from 1963-1964 had been Dodge’s “standard-size” models at 119″. All while the Polara nameplate moved up to the new full-size C-body platform.
It’s all a bit confusing, but all actions byproducts of Chrysler’s 1962 downsizing troubles, which ended in lots of reshuffling. From platforms to nameplates, as if it were a curious game of musical chairs.
The 1965 styling also threw away the leftover Space-Age cues from the Exner era that many found off-putting, and instead, these mid-sizers were tailored to a 1960s dignified touch. Unlike the surf-rock’n-rollin’-vibing sixties, these B-bodies were boxy, efficient, and family/workload oriented. More late-night talk show, or sitcom material, that rock ‘n rollin swingin’ youthfulness.
This one’s trim shows it’s a Coronet Deluxe, the line just above entry-level (which was just plain Coronet); above it stood the 440 and then the 500 lines. Overall, all is in place and looks quite original, aside from that rubber seal hanging by the driver’s door.
If you enjoy red on red, this is the car for you. Pretty clean interior, and quite a time capsule, with a working 3-speed TorqueFlite.
Now, you may ask, how can I be certain it’s a 6-cyl.? Well, I ain’t, but it could… The lack of engine call-outs would indicate this either came with a 225 slant six or a 273 V8 when new, the model’s standard engines for that year; nothing fancy, but working-class goodness.
But to meet that 6-cyl. requirement with no doubt, I’ll bring sample two:
This 1967 Coronet 440 came recently for sale near my home in San Salvador, still carrying its original 225 slant-six and its 3-speed automatic. Living in this nation, the slant-six on this one must have enjoyed a fairly unstressful life on our low-speed roads. The car’s torsion bars, on the other hand, must have been overworked with our potholed-ridden pavement surfaces.
Unlike our Deluxe model, the mouldings are missing and life has been slightly rougher on this 440 sedan. Though the 440’s “glitzy” window frames survive in shiny form. I’m not crazy with the color theme; the respray looks like a local shop’s interpretation of Dodge’s silver poly.
This view shows the 1966-1967 Coronet side treatment, which was rather elaborate within the constraints of the model’s overall boxy proposition. Even with its tamer 1960s themes, the treatment is somewhat offbeat and shows that the Pentastar always followed its own styling muse. Meanwhile, there’s a “roof-break” quite noticeable from this angle in that glossy black paint. I guess a “convertible crease” theme, which feels like a crib job from the 1962 GM roofs that came with that touch.
Not sure what luck awaits this 4-door in San Salvador. As in many places, they struggle to find interested parties as they lack those sexy 1960s muscle car vibes many still crave. Want to relive the 1960s…. responsibly? Does not sound like a great sales line to me.
But if one is a contrarian, these make more of a statement today. And I’m certain the slant-six under this one’s hood has lots of life left in it. Hopefully, it will find an admirer like today’s Deluxe to keep the sober side of the 1960s still alive for a few years to come.
Related CC reading:
CC Capsule: 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T Convertible – Subtle Changes, Big Engine
Vintage R&T Review: 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T – More Road Than Track
Coroner is a model I would buy for sure!
The Coronet was the number 1 selling Dodge in 1967 at around 110,000 units.
It also should be noted that it had the bump up rear fenders that other makes had a couple of years before. No more straight line styling it once had. I thought was great design keeping up with the styling trends.
I really like the red one but I’d rock the stripper two toner as well .
-Nate
Ahhh a time when a person could actually buy a cheap-uh-inexpensive car for transportation only.
Today, there is just too much junk on even the most basic cars.
A friend had been given his grandfather’s last car when she quit driving-a 1971 Dodge Dart with the 225, TorqueFlight and dealer added AC.
He didn’t have any interest in that car, being 20 at the time, and sold it. Recently we were talking about his 2000 Accord with 350,000 miles. While he’s had to put some big money into it in the last year, he simply won’t get rid of it. Why? He can’t stand all the modern stuff on today’s cars.
Great article on a great basic car
Love these, as I get older I’m really starting to appreciate these old sedans more, would love to have one with a 318 & TorqueFlite, red on red would be perfect.
100%
Not much more I can say.
In the mid-70’s I bought a base ’66 model (273 auto) that I used as a daily driver for several years.
Basic DIY maintenance is all it needed, an excellent car for the times.