Worth Fixing? 1970 Dodge Coronet Project
In the late 1960s, the Dodge Coronet played second fiddle to the Charger. It was more pedestrian overall, though it was also a B-body intermediate, but without hidden headlights or a tunnel back roof. This 1970 Coronet is the base post coupe with pop-out side windows like the Super Bee. Without a lot of options when new, this rusty Mopar project is in Fuquay Varina (Raleigh), North Carolina, and is available here on eBay. The current bit is $1,300 against an unmet reserve.
Chrysler redesigned its mid-size cars in 1968 and had two breakthroughs in terms of sales – the new Plymouth Road Runner and the Dodge Charger. Though you could get a Coronet with Charger-like power, these were mostly family cars (except for the Coronet R/T). This example has a 318 cubic V8 with a 904 automatic transmission. While it would have had a 2-barrel carburetor from the factory, someone has upgraded it to a 4-barrel including the intake manifold.
With the post configuration but frameless doors, the coupe was a slow seller in Coronet trim. The base coupe (like this one) saw production of less than 3,000 units in 1970, the last year before the next redesign. The Super Bee also had this body style and saw about 4,000 copies. So, the seller’s car is a bit on the scarce side, especially after 54 years.
From the looks of things, the seller acquired a barn find and has left it exactly as he/she found it. No attempts have been made to clean it up or try to get it running. So, its mechanical health is unknown, and the safe bet is to assume the worst. This machine was painted F8 green, and it looks as though much of the original finish is trying to hang on. There is ample rust to go around, especially in the rear quarters, trunk, and front fenders. We’re told that almost everything is there except for the rear bumper.
Other than the automatic tranny and small-block V8, this car probably came with few options. Like standard steering and brakes. Bench seat (which the stuffing is coming out of) and likely rubber floor coverings rather than carpeting. You’ll need to replace the windshield (we’re told), and someone has tried to hop the Dodge up some with electronic ignition and headers. Though not a top-dollar car like a Charger, fixing this one up would attract some attention at Cars & Coffee. But you might end up having more in it than it’s worth.
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Comments
Emminantly doable at this price and you’re far less in the hole at the start of this unlike the 22K SuperBee that went last week,..
LOL rust repair parts are produced and available…thats a joke….ask me how I know
Tag reads a 318 motor. But I noticed the block is spray HP orange. Could this be a 340 block?’ until someone reads the number on the block is the only way to tell. The rust is bad on this. Not worth dumping money into it. This Mopar is regular nothing special. Walk away 🚶.. 🐻🇺🇸
That is rust on the block
I agree with Mike. If you are interested in Mopar’s (yes, too much binging on Roadkill Garage) this is certainly a price point that allows you to join the club without breaking the bank. Probably not much meat on the bone if you are trying to make money, but if are smart about it you may not lose any.
This is a parts car at best. I do see a few useable parts for a Super Bee or R/T project but restoring this car will be a money pit.
Did not realize the rarity. My late uncle bought this same model in 1970 before he passed away. My Aunt had to learn to drive all the sudden and I think it lacked PS. I always thought I was going to get that car but when she passed in 2012 kids came out of the woodwork wanting it. They probably ruined it.
It had 70K old lady miles. Two tone paint car with top painted white and Champagne looking bottom.
Hate to say it, but I think this one is too far gone. Rust looks pretty severe and these cars aren’t real valuable to begin with. I think if I wanted one of these, I’d look for a better example.
I had this same color ext much less patina, w/ 318 back in ’81. Bought for $100 & sold in ’82 for $100. Ex straight body, nothing special about it at all. Was just a transportation veh in between cars.
I never cared for the front end design of these. It looks like they put two Edsel grills end to end across the front of the car. What were they thinking?
It’s the SUPER BEES face …bumpers are googles…valance is the mouth grimacing….people ether luv m or hate em…I LUV m
Great Buy! A steal at that price….
For someone with the skills building it for themselves it’d be a deal compared to the nicer ones being offered if the price doesn’t get much higher. Would be awesome to see it built as what it was with or without a little more muscle under the hood but I have no doubt it’ll become yet another high impact colored Super Bee clone.
I like the 70 Dodge.I can definitely picture this Coronet being saved and sporting that F8 Green color which would sit will with my F8 Green Scat Pack.Obviously the Super Bee would be my preference but I can see this one coming back alive again with some imagination of course.I have too many and will be 65 on the 15th and been doing this 50 years.I need to wind down now.I still have my 59 Impala Sport Coupe in Aspen Green,348 3×2 setup I bought in 1985
Cheap SuperBee but only if you have the tools/skills to do the body repairs.