Muscle Wagon: 1969 Dodge Coronet 500
Looking super-fresh and sporty, this 1969 Dodge Coronet 500 nine-passenger wagon in Bee Spring, Kentucky offers seating for nine, a smooth-sounding 383, air conditioning, and more. You don’t find many wagons of this era with black paint and interior. The handsome wood grain, exclusive to the top-tier 500 trim, adds a touch of luxury and the perfect highlight for what would otherwise be a vast inky canvas. It comes to market just in time for vacation season here on eBay, where at least 15 bidders have sounded their trumpets to the tune of more than $23,000.
True to the classic muscle car era, Dodge sales literature at lov2xlr8 indicates you could get bucket seats in your Coronet wagon, but this one has the practical three-across bench seat. Wood trim and reflectors plus extra shiny bits set off the 500 trim level. Plenty of pictures and a somewhat detailed listing prompt the question “Why not include a real VIN and pictures of the fender tag?”
The roof-mounted deflector keeps the rear window dust-free. Without it, swirling airflow at the rear of a boxy wagon sucks dust to the window, especially irritating if you live on a dirt road, something this long-roof classic is unlikely to experience. Though branded with the overused phrase “all original,” it’s unlikely this wagon left the factory with these snappy Magnum 500 wheels.
A 383 cid (6.3L) four-barrel represented the top-of-the-line engine for this 500 Wagon. A video on the seller’s web site shows the big V8 purring like an oversized kitten, and a burbling but not obnoxious exhaust note fits this sporty black beast perfectly. Power is fed through a 727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission and stopping power is provided by power brakes with discs out front. Air conditioning and power steering are also nice options that’ll make this big wagon much more comfortable to drive.
Hello in there! (Echo, echo). The mid-sized wagon may give up some cargo space to its full-sized Polara sibling, but few personal vehicles of any kind will match the available space of this wagon, especially if you want to transport six people AND cargo, a feat requiring flipping a third seat up in most modern vehicles. One of the first vehicles I remember is my grandparents’ ’69 Coronet 440 sedan in double-gold. Despite its modest 318 cid (5.2L) V8, Grandma and Grandpa pulled a travel trailer from PA to Lewis and Clark Country and back in ’69, an epic break-in for the trusty Dodge. What adventures would you enjoy in this sporty prairie schooner?
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Comments
Holy post-Powerball purchase! That’s a beauty, Todd!
My Dad lives in Bee Sping rural area outside of Bowling Green, always lots of nice hot rods in the area.
My goodness, I’m in love again. Great find and write-up, Todd!
What a fine wagon that is, and “purring like an oversized kitten” is a very accurate description for that engine sound.
I wonder what the actual 1969 production numbers for these wagons was, I know I haven’t seen too many listed anywhere.
All I could find was the total number of Coronet 500’s, including Wagons, which was 32,100 for 1969.
So maybe these wagons were less common and thus worth a little more?
Anyway, one of my favorite wagons I’ve seen on Barnfinds.
There were a lot of B body wagons around then, but most wagons were abused family haulers and later some became “trucks” , some hit the derby circuit ; a lot more would have had their drivetrain pulled for a 2 door car , as well the front sheet metal , and the rest scrapped . Nobody wanted a used station wagon back then !
Wow that’s a cool wagon. That be a great towing wagon pulling my brothers 70 Dodge Challenger R/T to shows. Maybe if a get lucky at lottery!😂
Damn. This has got to be one of the coolest Detroit wagons that I have ever seen. Spot on is every way. Stying, Color combination, Stance, Options. Just wow. Seriously, this would be the wagon I would pick given the chance. The only thing that would be different would be me behind the wheel. I have never seen one quite like this. Now I guess that I will go mow my lawn and dream of this badass Mopar shining in my driveway.
Not to be a buzzkill, I like the wagon, but Magnum 500’s make a Fiat look nice ( no offense to Fiat owners) and it’s just a Dodge wagon. Again( boy, I use that word a lot) it was nothing special, fact is, we’d take the bus rather than be seen in a station wagon. I remember moms exact words, ” you can use the wagon”,,( rather than dads LTD). The usual reply, “nah, I’ll get a ride, thanks”. Every family in “Suburbia” had a wagon. Almost required in “Pressboard Estates”. There was no appeal to them whatsoever, strictly utilitarian..unwashed, unloved, and most importantly, unmaintained.
Okay then, fast forward 50 years, passenger cars have all but been eliminated, ANY kind of people/goods hauler going to cost $50 grand, I suppose a vintage station wagon might work. Trouble is, we trashed them, and the remaining ones went to the county fair for the demo derby, they simply don’t exist. And in come the vultures, here’s one, looks nice too, you like it? TWENTY-FIVE GRAND,,,as everybody with a family that could actually use this car,,slowly puts their bidding paddles down,and goes home in the old Hyundai, :(
If at any time you feel the need to start your post with “Not to be a buzzkill” you should, perhaps, think twice before hitting the “Post Comment” button.
Hello Michael !
I agree with your comment about Howard’s critique about the very nice black Coronet wagon. Unfortunately, in MOST of his comments to Barn Finds ads, does he write anything but disdain for the vehicle, how he would never own that particular vehicle, or that the vehicle is to overpriced for him. Gee, I wonder what kind of car floats his boat or 1980’s prices he would be happy with. I read in the comment sections looking for a Howard reply…his comments are mostly always full of hate for the vehicle for sale….there is a pattern here….VERY sad guy. But I guess everyone is entitled to an opinion. Have a great day fellow gearheads, enjoy your cars.
Excellent advice, Michael.
Hey Mr.Michael Berkemeier, in late 1969 my father bought the “showroom girl” from Miley & Brown Plymouth in Springfield Pa. It was a 69 Sport Satellite wagon 383/tow package, white & wood grain, and had magnum 500 wheels with the brushed aluminum trim rings. I was barely 5 yrs old (born 1965) but will never forget that “show-off” wagon in the showroom. Whether the dealer installed the rims or just the way they had ordered it but it certainly caught your eye!! Wish it was still around….alas, she was totaled by a woman ran a stop sign. I’ll never forget that car, kinda felt like riding in the “big brother” of a Roadrunner or GTX!!!!
There were a lot of B body wagons around then, but most wagons were abused family haulers and later some became “trucks” , some hit the derby circuit ; a lot more would have had their drivetrain pulled for a 2 door car , as well the front sheet metal , and the rest scrapped . Nobody wanted a used station wagon back then !
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved American station wagons. Among my favourites have always been the 1966-67 Dodge Coronet 500 and the 1969-70 Dodge Coronet 500.
I am thinking you could order the magnum 500 wheels as an option on this wagon… been nice to see the build sheet… nice nice wagon!!!
Chrome “Magnum 500’s” were not available on any 1969 Mopar, and were never available from Mopar in 15″, ever. These are, technically, Ford wheels…so, no, not in the least bit original to this car.
“Fred, take it from a pal, DON’T buy a station wagon. They will never be collectible and worth anything.”
In 1968, my mother, brother and I were in the Courtesy Chevrolet showroom, where she was inking a contract for a new, decently equipped Impala station wagon. I remember the total was $5200+. In the showroom were a Dick Harrell 427 Chevelle and Camaro. On the service rack outside was a 427 Nova. They were some $1000 less than the Impala. All I could do was think of the injustice, and dream.
Some months earlier, we had been in L.A. visiting my uncle, where in an empty lot off Sunset Bl, was a forlorned-looking Ferrari 275 GTB/4. It had been well used. It was painted what they used to call ‘Fly Yellow’ so badly that they had simply painted over the roundels on the doors.
They wanted $6500.
This could only come from the mind of a 16-year-old boy, but back to the future, in the Chevy showroom some months later, I marveled at life’s injustice that pretty well the same money could be used for either utilitarian mediocrity, or pure joy in automotive art.
Love the color. Original owner picked a nice overall combo…
Not a Mopar expert so don’t know if a 4-sp. was an available option. IMO that & a 426 is all that’s lacking to put it over the top.
I grew up with a 1970 Coronet 440 wagon. We called it “The Tank.” The thing was virtually indestructible! Great car!
Nice to see a car that’s sits at the height it should in stead of all the lowered crap ,fantastic auto
Opposing view on the stance
It looks like the owner converted this boat to 4 wheel drive
It sits as high as a pickup !
I will stick to my ford explorer
I agree , it looks its got 15 inch rims with some tall tires , originally this would have had 14 inch wheels
Stick to your Ford Explorer
Very nice wagon. Me being 62 (tomorrow-for real!) Am a true muscle car freak as through the years-i was 15 when i got my first car,a 68SS Chevelle. and no joke, hundreds to this dayto start h/s 71 340 duster,68 torino gt,66 SSChevelleAfter school in 1980 I started buying and selling most anything. I hbuad 4 68 z-28,68 SS,67 rs 73 splitnose,those where the camaros there where others,you name it i most likly had it.My point being wagons where low on the wanted list. Maybe for the drive train ect. Things changed about 10 years ago when i picked up a 70 chevrolet kingswood. almost perfect int. faded paint .paid $250.put rally’s on it and sold it for $2500/kept the Rallys. Thats when people started rodding wagons.The kingwood showed up at a car show-turned it into a 70 SS 454 that most thought it was new that way.Just as nice as this dodge. had a 71 country sedan wagon $150 drove it home sold it 2 days later $2700 The 429 heiped.I now look for them. Never thought that would happen!!!
I have always been the odd one in my group of gearhead friends. So it’s only right that being a Mopar guy for the past 53 years starting at age 13, that among my 10 licensed, insured. vintage Mopars there IS a 1973 Plymouth Fury Suburban, now with a 440 with fuel injection in my collection. Enjoying my retirement at age 66, playing with my old cars. Enjoy your old cars friends, summer is coming !!
Well , we definitely do not have the same tastes in cars but we share the passion of cars and life …
Enjoy your retirement
And the upcoming sunny summer
YOLO
Thanks Claudio for the comments, and thanks for not verbally beating up this old man…lol !! Have fun !! – Ray
Claudio, John M. Stecz, Michael Berkemeier –
I live just outside the Seattle area..if you guys lived anywhere near me, I’d invite you for all the pizzas and beer, my treat. You guys would be great to talk to about cars, cars, cars…really !!!
I’m not into muscle cars and hot rods. For me, this would be a perfect taxi cab, or a means to transport people from one area to the next.
I believe a Honda Odyssey is more “up your alley”.
Probably. But I’m more interested in something American.
Stick to your Explorer if it does it for you
I could drive an Explorer, but I’m not interested in a truck based SUV. I’m more interested in an American station like this Dodge Coronet.
To rally rim ray thank you,I felt bad about the reply to Claudio but I had to have a good day .
No harm done
I share my opinion and feelings
And never liked these cars
And it looks worse as a 4×4
I am a firm believer in free speech
So i get along with most
And we simply agree that we disagree
I have worked and helped car guys all of my life , wether a muscle car or a jalopy
Dont have to love their cars , just enjoy the fact that we are car guys
A cold beer and a good laugh
YOLO