Original Paint: 1973 Dodge Coronet
Though the nameplate had been around since the 1950s, the Coronet spent most of its life as a mid-size car (1965 to 1976). By 1971, it was only offered as 4-door sedans and station wagons. The seller’s ’73 edition looks like a survivor that may be wearing its original paint with an odometer reading of just 55,000 miles. There is a bit of rust here and there, but maybe nothing troublesome (for now). As a solid runner, it’s available from Claremont, California, and here on craigslist for $8,500 OBO. Kudos to Rocco B. for continuing to dig deep for tips like this one!
With the redesign of the Chrysler B-body intermediates (still big cars) in 1971, there were no longer any 2-door Coronets. Dodge did some product consolidating, and the Coronet came strictly with four doors. If you wanted a hardtop, you moved over to the Charger side of the dealer showroom. That also meant the Coronet R/T (440 V8) was also no more. So, the Coronet became more of a family car than ever before, and – in 1973 — Dodge built about 61,000 sedan Coronets, both with standard or deluxe trim.
We don’t know what this Coronet has been up to for more than 50 years, but it has survived the passage of time in decent shape. The body is fine, though there is some surface rust that may be trying to brew into more on the hood and trunk. The yellow/cream paint looks okay (maybe a good waxing would help) and the vinyl top may not have any issues. The interior is also nice and has not been abused.
At 54,000 miles, the Dodge is said to run well. It has what may be the basic 318 cubic inch V8 and TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This combination was pretty durable, and Chrysler must have installed them in literally millions of automobiles over the years. Other than a bit of detailing, this should be a car that can continue to serve for some time to come.
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Comments
Nice, but from the look in the pictures, not nice enough for $8,500 asking price. It appears the paint is burning through on the trunk lid and there may be some issues with the vinyl top. This sort of cars value lies in its condition, they don’t have much of a following beyond “it’ll draw a crowd at the local cars and coffee”. There are enough generic four doors around to wait until something nearly perfect turns up.
Steve R
Your too spoiled in California Steve, this car could pull in good money north of the border. I haven’t seen one of these on the streets up here for at least 30 years.
I don’t know. Given its condition, I’d be willing to pay between $5000 and $8000 for the car. There would still be enough money to pay for inspection and insurance.
This could’ve been Kojaks ride in 73′ if he wasn’t in the Buick. 🚨
Who Loves ya Baby 😎 🍭
Don t think they used this car as Police cars but maybe could’ve ; They did use Plymouths! don’t remember which model ? And OMG those big heavy A C compressors !? must’ve added @ least 50 Lb’s to the car
I believe one year Fred Dryer drove a 73 or 74 Dodge or Plymouth in the cop show, Hunter.
Adam 12 used the Plymouth Satellite cousin for a season or two.
I remember AMC’s on Adam 12.
The price is a little ambitious for a boring 4 door Dodge with a barely adequate 318, at best a 360. Unusual that it has power windows, though. Most of these were run into the ground a long time ago, or rotted away, of course. If the seller is negotiable, he may find someone, somewhere, who wants this basic family A-B car. I’d wash it, use polishing compound all over it, wash off the compound, and easily remove the remaining residue by waxing it, and it’ll shine beautifully. Then get something for the vinyl top that won’t wash down and smear the windshield whenever it gets wet. I tortured a few relatives when I was a teen by putting Armor-All on their vinyl tops, thinking I was doing them a big favor by making it nice and shiny.
These are great cars to get into classic hobby. They’re pretty simple and cheap. I’ve seen two of these locally for sale in the last couple of years. Both were way cheaper than this one and took a long time to sell.
I wonder how hard it would be to remove those horrible bumper guards.
Well, those bumper guards were part of the car’s character (which there wasn’t much of to begin with) and its originality, so I might actually leave those on. I’ve seen similar cars in nicer condition selling for $5-6K. Nicely equipped though, and that 318 can be tweaked for more power.
Thats the only 4 door that looks good, love that body style.
8500 might be a bit high, this is either a buy it as is and drive it or have fun spending a reasonnable amount of money. Personally i’ d invest in a repaint but probably an appropriate brown shade of the era and redoo the vinyl top in same so it would not clash to much with the gold inside. A nice detailing of the engine bay and interior is two good week ends of effort but easily done. I just love the bumper guards in front and always dig the massive a/c compressors of the era, just like the big frigidaire units that GM had.
I agree, pwr windows rarely seem in this vintage Coronet. Looks like real leather too!
It’s 100% NOT real leather,lol.
Vinyl is the new leather.
Steve R
Pleather?
I saw a 1971 Coronet once that was converted to a 2 door. It had a roof off a 71 Charger on it. It looked pretty cool but, not sure why they just didn’t put a 71 Coronet front end on a Charger and saved all the grief to built it.
Yes, it’s a 318. It’s clearly not a big block and 360 wasn’t available in the Coronet until ’74. Really nice car. I had a Charger this color once. Nice car for cruising. I hope it goes to a nice home.
I’ve seen cars similar to this Coronet, in nicer condition, sell for $5-6K. But it’s nicely equipped and that 318 is amenable to many performance upgrades. Nice cruiser as is, but not for $8500.
Linc, Pete and Julie misplaced their ride?
I drove multiple versions of these as cabs, pizza delivery and rentals over the years. Pretty bullet proof except for differentials and ignition issues. Eventually, the tin worms claimed them. Not many survivors because these were “rode hard and put away wet”. Nobody would have ever thought to save one as a future classic.
These were common when I was growing up in eastern Mass both as private cars, taxis, and cop cars. There was a “Dodge Taxi” package with a 225 and an A727 tranny as well as a fender tag that said “Dodge Taxi”. I also remember these with big blocks as cop cars. Power windows were not common on these, I am surprised this one does not have cruise. I was told that they could be ordered with a manual for a few years, however I never saw one. I owned a 1971 gas company fleet car – $50 with a 225 with a hole in the block, a 1973 Satellite with a jumped timing chain – $100. In 1973 Chrysler added an isolated sub-frame that cradled the engine, rear cross-member tranny mount, and front suspension. It made a big difference in the amount of road noise and vibration absorbed.
My mom’s stepdad was a detective in the city closet to where I grew up, my cousins would always call him the ‘whistle pig’, because he’d come rolling up our driveway in that big ol’ early 70’s Polara police sedan and bump his siren on and off, sending all the dogs, cats and chickens running for their lives.. I bet you could put 10 people in that land yacht no problem, and it no doubt had the 440 police interceptor under the acre of hood..
Insane, 8,500.00. I have a 75 that I paid 750.00 for 18 years ago. It is just as nice as this and mine has power windows, seat, trunk opener and a few other accessories. In reality these are ho hum four doors or as I put it, just old cars. I think 3,500.00 is realistic.
a taupe 4 door Coronet – the manila envelope of motoring. Not a bad car mind you, not sure I’m ready to step up to $8K for a filing cabinet.