Family Man: 1967 Dodge Coronet 440 Wagon
The Coronet would return to the Dodge line-up in 1965 as an intermediate, using that platform for three years. The 440 series was the mid-level trim version of the Coronet and would serve as its bread-and-butter in terms of sales. This nine-passenger station wagon from 1967 is a Coronet 440 and a nice survivor, with an older repaint and some rust trying to come back. It’s also a two-owner vehicle that’s located in Front Royal, Virginia and available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $4,000. But there is a reserve to be met, although for $9,650 you can “buy it now!”
Dodge’s Coronet would serve the basis for the sporty and successful Charger that would launch in 1966. The family resemblance was clearly there, even with the station wagon body style. If your budget was limited in 1967, you could buy the Coronet Deluxe entry edition, but you’d have to settle for rubber floor coverings and cloth interiors. For a few bucks more, you could get into the 440, which got you carpeting, foam front seats and vinyl interior, and a power tailgate window on station wagons. Dodge sold some 92,500 440’s in 1967 and nearly 84,000 of those went out the door with a V-8 engine. Thanks, ConceptCarz, for 1967 Coronet background.
The Coronet 440 wagon, like the seller’s, would be the likely choice of the Cleaver family in 1967 had they still been on first-run television. At 75,000 two-owner miles, this family transport is said to be a complete, running and driving car that was first purchased in Virginia and has spent its whole life there. The wagon has the venerable Chrysler 318 V-8 with 2-barrel carb and TorqueFlite transmission, so it would be easy on gas – by 1960s standards.
After 54 years, the body is starting to show signs of wear and tear. The once-redone blue paint has faded a bit and some older rust repairs on the left rear quarter panel and wheel well are coming back. So that area along with some general surface rust will need attending to. While we’re told that the frame and floor plans are all solid, it looks as though some new rust might be forming at the bottom of the passenger side doors. The interior looks in really nice shape, except for some wear on the driver’s side seat bottom and separation and tears on the corners of the middle seat. Since this wagon will haul nine people (more or less), there is a third bench which is rear-facing so the kids can make fun of the cars behind you.
This car has been used but not abused over the years and is a good example of 1960s automotive engineering. It would be quite different that driving one of those overstuffed $60,000 SUVs that you see on the road these days. From the 1965-67 era of the Coronet, the most collectible is the R/T model, which can go for as much as $40,000 with a big-block under the hood. Wagons like this should go for much less. Fix the seats, fix the rust, add some new paint, and wait for the Millennials at Cars & Coffee with the Japanese crotch rockets to figure out what you’re driving!
Auctions Ending Soon
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1Bid Now17 hours$7,100
2003 Porsche Boxster SBid Now18 hours$6,250
1966 Lincoln ContinentalBid Now20 hours$500
2000 Jaguar XJ8LBid Now4 days$1,250
1977 Datsun 280ZBid Now5 days$275
Comments
It’s intriguing, but at a much lower price point than the BIN due to the previous, now deteriorating rust repairs as seen in picture #6. Picture #4 of the ad also suggests more prior rust. The current high bid is probably in the ballpark, but it is a wagon, which are currently hot commodities, rightfully so, so bidding will likely end significantly higher.
Steve R
The overstuffed suv option is definitely my choice as i find these cars Fugly …
This is my favourite Mopar car. My favourite years for the Dodge Coronet are 1965-67. Provided everything on the car works like it should, and any patina is on the surface, and doesn’t rust through the body work, it should be a fairly simple body work to restore.
My grandparents had a 68. They bought it new and put over 300k miles on it. They sold it in the 90s and the interior was still pristine. It had wood grain siding and the tailgate that would open in any direction. Took a lot of trips in That car. Many fond memories of cruising down the highway facing the rear.
Neat car. But no cigarette lighter or ashtrays in the third row kids seat? Deal breaker!
Hmmmmm, some new tires on Magnums, a concealed headlight grille, mild engine upgrade, new paint….the fantasy endures, LOL!! GLWTA!! :-)
Is this wagon available? How much?
You have to lower your drug use ! You are late for the party , everyone is gone home …