Handsome 1967 Dodge Coronet 500. Built 440, great colors, solid throughout, newer interior with upgrades. Runs and drives well, big block torque, relatively rare today. An affordable piece of Mopar muscle that’s not too perfect to enjoy every day.

The dramatic cantilever roofline works as well on the full-sized Coronet as it does on its smaller siblings, making it instantly recognizable and very much a product of the ‘60s. Chrysler stylists took it easy everywhere else, so the contrast is especially effective and the angular styling works extremely well. The good news is that those long, straight body panels don’t leave any place for lousy workmanship to hide, and as you can see, the glossy QQ1 Dark Red Metallic flanks on this Coronet are pretty nice. There are a few spiffs, including the giant hood scoop, the simulated air intakes on the quarters, and a strip around the tail, but again, none of it is over-done. Add in the handsome fine-toothed grille and matching tail panel, and this car looks aggressive without seeming like a kid’s car. Details like the chrome bumpers, stainless body trim, and all the brightwork around the windows remain in very good condition with a nice shine and no critical issues. This car has never been fully restored but it was never anybody’s beater, either.

Bucket seats make the Coronet’s interior functional as well as sporting, and that’s how the car was originally configured. The upholstery was replaced at some point and the textured vinyl they used looks suitably upscale for the Coronet’s mission. The door panels feature unique ‘Coronet 500’ badges and the carpets appear to have been replaced at the same time. The factory gauges were fairly complete, although aftermarket dials are always welcome to keep a close eye on the vitals. You’ll note that there’s a custom B&M shifter on the floor that manages the TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic, replacing the original column shift. For entertainment, there’s a newer Pioneer AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo head unit. There’s also a giant back seat for friends and the massive trunk is properly outfitted with a reproduction mat and there’s room for a full-sized spare underneath.

There was a bewildering array of engines available from Chrysler in 1967 and the Coronet could carry any of them, including the 318 cubic inch V8 that was originally under the hood. Today, however, it’s running a built 440 which, thanks to Chrysler’s interchangeability, slips right into the engine bay with minimal modifications. We don’t have any history on the rebuild, but someone has been doing some impressive work here, because this sucker starts easily and runs strong once it’s warmed up. There’s an Edelbrock intake manifold painted to match the block, so it’s kind of stealthy, and a big Holley 4-barrel on top. It’s also neatly dressed in corporate turquoise engine enamel, a chrome air cleaner, and fabricated aluminum valve covers that add some sparkle. The cam feels a bit bigger than stock and there’s power everywhere on the map thanks to the massive displacement. Power steering and power brakes are welcome additions on something this big and this fast. The TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission is really the right choice on a big cruiser like this. I know, I know, real mean shift their own transmissions, blah, blah, blah. With what feel like 3.23 gears out back, this torque factory is easy to get off the line without incinerating the tires and it’s a relaxed cruiser at speed, making it an all-purpose muscle car that you’ll love to drive. Shifts are crisp but not harsh and the rumbling Flowmaster exhaust system makes this one of the best-sounding cars we’ve featured in a long time. You’ll note that the undercarriage is mostly original, but there’s no evidence that this car ever spent time in winter weather. The original floors, rockers, trunk extensions, and torque boxes are all in very good condition and the only real modification is a set of traction bars. Traditional Cragar SS mags are the right choice and carry 215/70/15 BFG radials all around.

This is one of those cars that continued to surprise us after it arrived. It has exactly zero bad habits, a fantastic look, and enough performance that you’ll always be able to put a smile on your face just by wiggling the toes on your right foot. That’s what big block muscle cars are all about, and this one gets all the important stuff right. For that reason, we think it’s an absolute slam-dunk. Call today!

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