Cool Cruising Convertible: 1965 Dodge Coronet
Here’s one you won’t encounter every day, a 1965 Dodge Coronet 440 convertible. A hardtop or sedan? Sure! But a convertible? Not so much so. This example is said to be an “older restoration” but it certainly shows well and appears to be good to go – and just in time for summer cruising. Located in Los Angeles, California, this Dodge droptop is available, here on craigslist for $25,500.
Dodge’s mid-size line-up placed the Coronet 500 at the top of the heap, followed by the 440 trim level, and finally, the plain old Coronet bringing up the markers. Total Coronet production reached 209K units in ’65 with the 440 version accounting for about 87K of that total. How many were convertibles? I can’t find a count but I imagine, considering how few seem to be encountered, that it was a conservative number, reduced to very few now considering the passage of 58 years.
Our subject has supposedly been restored, somewhere in its past but the effort has held up well and this convertible still looks great. The finish, chrome, stainless trim, folding top, wheel covers, glass, you name it – no complaints! There is one image of the underside, and while it focuses primarily on the K-member, what can be seen is clean and straight. I find it fitting that a car in this condition is still dressed in white stripe tires and full-wheel covers – the owner has, fortunately, resisted the attention to go aftermarket which is so often the case on cars of this vintage.
No muscle-head mammoth Mopar engine in this case, just a respectable 230 gross HP, 318 CI V8 poly sphere V8, connected to a three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission. The mileage is stated as being 65K miles but there is no claim to that reading – but… the engine could pass for it on appearance. More than likely, however, it has been detailed. The listing’s details are essentially non-existent so there’s no reference to operating and driving capabilities.
The two-tone vinyl interior does not look as if it has experienced a lot of top-down time as it’s not faded or cracked. My guess is that it was all replaced during the restoration as it looks close to new – the seats still reveal a lot of puffed-up padding. The instrument panel is the typical cheap-looking plastic piece used by Plymouth and Dodge in this era but it seems fine from what’s revealed – no cracks or delamination. Of note, this Coronet appears to be radioless.
I really enjoy finding non-muscle car versions of Dodge and Plymouth vehicles from the sixties. There’s nothing here to foam over, just a really nice, simple, basic, and attractive midsize with the enviable top-down capability – something as stated earlier that seems fleeting on ChryCo’s ’60s B-body cars. This is definitely a buy, drive, and enjoy example. And that leaves the matter of price, what do you think, priced right or not quite?
Auctions Ending Soon
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1Bid Now19 hours$7,100
2003 Porsche Boxster SBid Now20 hours$6,000
1966 Lincoln ContinentalBid Now22 hours$500
2000 Jaguar XJ8LBid Now4 days$1,250
1977 Datsun 280ZBid Now5 days$275
Comments
Wow, this thing looks super clean. Mid-60s Mopars were very well engineered and well built. This car looks like it could go another 60 years.
Oh hurry hurry hurry, step right up … Like everything on here … I’d LS SWAP IT and a th400 . 😂
Well observed, John!!
Good looking Mopar!! That Poly 318 is a very good dependable engine. Few people I knew try to hot rod this engine. It can be done but it’s very different from the normal 318 we all know. But if you want a little more power. Dual exhaust and a 4 bbl intake for a Poly. Otherwise this price is on the mark. Would love to drive this is the country during the fall season with the top down. Very cool ride good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
My first car was a 1964 Plymouth Belvedere wagon ($50) with this great engine. At the age of 16, I adjusted the valves, tuned it up, and put a glass-pack on it. She never missed a beat…sold it a year later when I found a 1967 ($500) GTX!
Weeee doggies,,oh, come on, geezers, don’t you recognize this car? Miss Jane Hathaway( Nancy Kulp) drove red Dodge convertibles on the hilarious Beverly Hillbillies. She reminded most of us of the plain English teacher we had in school. You know, I try and watch the absolute crap that is on TV today, sports is the only reason I have one today and think of the time, when the Beverly Hillbillies( I’m sure some racial slur there today) was great family entertainment, not disemboweling zombies in an apocalypse future.
Nice car, and Miss Hathaway knew what to drive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsqY-HAOVW0
It is a beauty, my senior year in high school I drove a 65 Coronet 440 2 door hard top this color with the 318. I had the dual exhaust with the Mopar rumble.
If its radio less I may have the answer,,I have a radio from a 64 or 5 2door hardtop same body style,,but cant remeber the yr,,same body for 2 yrs?
I had a ’65 Coronet convertible as my first car when I was 16… fun car and put up with quite a bit of abuse, no issues, ever. Gave it to my younger brother 4 years later when I went to college, now he wore it out! Great memories!!
I have the same car 1966 440 convertible with the 318 poly.
It’s just a straight up great ragtop Cruiser and gets lots of compliments from enthusiast and people who just like cool looking cars.
Gets really impressive fuel mileage considering the size of it.
I love that 65 in red though!
Very nice car at a reasonable price. Extremely well done custom interior, but modeled after the Coronet 500 two tone upholstery pattern, not the 440 version; not correct, but does not detract. Nothing wrong with the poly in a B-body.
I’d like this with a 383 B, stroked to 440 (easier for headers and plug changes than a RB) and a Tremec TKX 5 speed.
Another gorgeous 60’s mopar convertible. What a looker! – This one appears pristine – courtesy of whoever did the excellent rehab job. Whoever gets it will surely be happy cruising in it around town. You don’t see them around anymore, so it will get a lot of attention.
The wheel covers on this car are from a ’65 Coronet 500.
We had a ’65 Coronet 440 2-door hardtop, dark blue with a white side spear and white top, and 318. I loved that car.
Friend of mine had one of these, same color, two door hard top. Was a 426 wedge, 4 speed. Wedge was blown by his brother and a 383 transplanted. Very nice car. The poly v8 has great performance potential if you have the funds to build it. I’d opt for a Direct Connection 383 and enjoy.