Documented Restored Coronet R/T Convertible 440 4 Speed

We've all read stories about rare barn find cars and thought “Yeah, right. That doesn't happen in real life”. This 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T convertible disagrees. The car saw just 27,274 actual miles before being partially disassembled and stored in a Euclid, Ohio garage for the next 32 years. As one of just 628 Coronet R/T convertibles produced for 1967, the car was a perfect candidate for the Mopar authorities at the RKM Performance Center who returned the car to full showroom glory. The finished product wraps 100% original sheet metal around the original 440 Magnum, A833 4-speed, and Dana 60 rear. There were no shortcuts taken either – everything you see is either NOS or original to the car. While not cheap (the NOS grille, surrounds, headlight bezels, and tail panel were $12k alone!) the results speak for themselves. If you're looking for a rare example of the original R/T car, they simply don't get better than this drop-top Coronet R/T.

We'll get started by breaking down the VIN:

W: Dodge
S: Special
27: Convertible
L: High Performance 440 V8
7: 1967
7: Assembled in St. Louis, MO

And some build highlights:

Paint: 881- Bright Blue Metallic
Trim: P6B - Blue, All Vinyl
Engine: 82 – 440ci 4Bbl Magnum V8 w/ dual exhaust
Trans: 3 – 4-speed manual – floor shift
Axle: 6 – 3.55
Radio: 1 – Music Master AM
Tires: 48 – Red Streak 7.75x14
Console: 6 – Yes
Glass: 1 – All tinted glass (including windshield)
Convertible: 2 – White top

If you're allegiances align with the decal and High Impact color side of the Mopar world, you won't find any of that here. Like its GTX cousins, this is a gentleman's hot rod. Dressed in a correct coat of code 881 Bright Blue Metallic, the car has a more upscale presence than many high-powered cars of the era and, thanks to the RKM Performance Center's efforts, presents well all around. As mentioned, the car features 100% original sheet-metal which has been treated with an expert's hand. The long lines don't waver a bit and the paintwork features a luster that would be impossible with the enamel paint of yesteryear. When the weather grows disagreeable, a switch on the dashboard brings a clean white top into action. The whole assembly has been blasted, painted, and reassembled to ensure near-perfect operation.

Up front, a NOS grille with a bright red “R/T” emblem carries out a vertical motif between four halogen headlights, a pristine chrome bumper and a familiar “DODGE” hood script. Above, a distinctive hood props NOS chrome-trimmed louvers in front of new tinted glass that's cleared by satin finished wipers and framed by beautifully restored stainless trim. Below that glass, multi-faceted body panels, which add an unmistakable vintage flavor to the car's modernist design, are detailed with correct stainless wheel lip moldings and dent-free rocker guards. Bold die cast “R/T” fender emblems combine with a stainless antenna to perfectly complement traditional chrome door handles and a stylish driver's mirror. Out back, a black and silver valence hangs a right-justified “R/T” emblem between a second, centered “DODGE” script, and tail lights artfully hidden in trim.

Of course, all those R/T badges are trying to tell you that something serious lives under the hood. In the case of this Coronet, it's a the original 375hp 440 Magnum. The block wears a coat of light blue paint as well as a 2536430-8 casting number and a stamped casting date of June 28, 1966. Of course, stampings aren't the only correct pieces in this bay. Up top, a dual snorkel air cleaner with a bright Magnum pie pan conceals a single four-barrel carburetor bolted to a factory intake below. At either side, correct cast iron heads are topped with chrome valve covers and breathers, while new plug wires snake around the block, originating as the centrally located distributor. The car was ordered with performance in mind, so the belt drive spins little more than the alternator and a single fan that works in harmony with the OEM-style radiator to keep the bay cool. Spent gases are pushed out through unique cast iron exhaust manifolds that flow into a stainless dual exhaust system with an H-pipe. From the warning decals and windshield washer reservoir, to the tagged battery and reproduction hoses, every piece adds up to a bay you'll be proud to show.

Put this B-body on a lift to admire the remarkably original undercarriage. Thanks to its garage-kept life, the car never saw harsh Ohio winters. In fact, the pans were so solid, they were left untouched, complete with their original finish. In the center, the original A833 4-speed manual transmission makes leisurely work of shifts before channeling 440 power back to a 4-speed-mandated Dana 60 differential packed with versatile 3.54 gears. Around the drivetrain, the R/T utilizes heavy-duty torsion bars, ball joints, one-inch shock absorbers, a front sway bar, and staggered leaf springs to create a classic Mopar driving experience. Straight-line performance was obviously the focus of this stripped-down R/T but the manual steering is comfortable at speed and the four-wheel drum brakes do a respectable job of bringing the car to a halt. The chassis rides on a set of chrome Magnum 500 wheels wrapped in 225/70R15 BF Goodrich Silvertown radials for a look straight out of the 60s.

Inside the Dodge, a sleek blue interior offers a great place to enjoy the car from. The Chrysler Corporation was on a roll with interior styling in the 1960s and this Coronet is no exception. Seating for five is provided by a pair of bucket seats up front and a large rear bench in the rear, both of which look practically new. Between the front seats, an attractive NOS center console hosts a chrome shifter, a 6,000 rpm tachometer, and plenty of storage beneath its polished lid. From the driver seat, a horizontal speedometer is the primary focus of the gauge cluster, surrounded by smaller units that monitor fuel, temperature, and amperage. Chrome pulls and switches offer control of items like the washers, lights, and power top. To the right, a stock AM radio and heater controls are well within reach. The front wheels are turned by a pristine blue three-spoke steering wheel mounted to a factory column. At either side, blue door panels combine with fresh carpet for a cohesive look throughout. Behind the seats, the trunk is completed by solid floors and a correct mat.

The sale of this Coronet includes the original broadcast sheet, a one-page Chrysler Historical Society Production Record, and a copy the Chrysler Motors Car Record Card. There is also some period-correct marketing.

With just 628 Coronet R/T convertibles produced for 1967, it's safe to say the number of survivors is much smaller. Narrow the list down by cars that have their original sheet metal and drivetrain, and watch the number shrink again. This a rare car and one that been restored as such, but don't let that scare you off. With a fully sorted and original 440/4-speed combination, it's still a piece you'll have a hard time not driving every weekend. If a big block B-body has been on your list for awhile, step up to this 1967 Coronet R/T convertible. It's an investment you'll be glad you made.