Dodge Coronet

Dodge Coronet

Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1949–1976
Successor	Dodge Diplomat Dodge Monaco (Downsized)
Class	Full-size (1949-1959) Mid-size (1965-1976)
Layout	FR layout

The Coronet was a full-size car from Dodge in the 1950s, initially the division's highest trim line but, starting in 1955, the lowest trim line. In the 1960s, the name was transferred to Dodge's mid-size entry.

1949

First Generation

Production	1949–1952
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door limousine (8 passenger)
Engine(s)	230 cu in (3.8 L) I6

The Dodge Coronet was introduced with the division's first postwar body styles. Lower trim lines were the Wayfarer and Meadowbrook. The only engine for Dodge was a 230-cubic-inch (3,800 cc) flat-head straight six cylinder engine with a single barrel Stromberg carburetor, producing 103 horsepower (77 kW) (gross). The stock Dodge Coronet was a smooth running car, and the six-cylinder engine could power the car to 90 miles per hour (140 km/h)+ . A limited production model was a four-door, eight passenger limousine, an extended version of the stock Dodge Coronet. One of the most notable features of the first-generation Coronet was a three-speed, fluid-driven transmission that was operated by a foot pedal on the floor. It required no shifter.

1950

Dodge received a facelift for 1950 but like the 1949 models were still divided into Wayfarer, Meadowbrook and Coronet lines. The 1950 models can be identified easily by the new grille design which featured 3 heavy horizontal bars. The upper and lower bars formed a stylish oblong shape. Within this oblong grille was a thick center bar with parking lights on each end and a large chrome plaque in the center bearing the Dodge crest.

1951-52

1951 Dodge Coronet coupe

Dodge received yet another facelift in 1951 but this time the cars remained virtually unchanged for two model years. Busy manufacturing military vehicles for use in Korea, they chose not to dedicate valuable resources to completely redesign civilian vehicles. Still divided into Wayfarer, Meadowbrook and Coronet lines through 1952, by 1953 the Wayfarer line had been discontinued. The grille of the 1951-52 model was similar in shape to the 1950 grille, but with the elimination of the thick vertical center bar and the addition of six vents running horizontally between the top and center bars, a whole new look was achieved.

1953

For 1953, the Coronet was totally redesigned. It gained an optional 241 cu in (3.9 L) "Red Ram" Hemi Engine and set over 100 land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

1954

The Dodge Royal line was added above the Coronet in 1954. Dodge was putting more luxury into all of its models which included the Meadowbrook, Coronet and new Royal lines. Still, styling changes for 1954 were modest. The chrome molding on the hood lip was wider than on the 1953 models and a large chrome upright in the center of the grille replaced the 5 vertical dividers used previously.

1955-56

See also 1955 Dodge

Second Generation

The 1955 Coronet dropped to the lower end of the Dodge vehicle lineup, with the Wayfarer and Meadowbrook names no longer used and the Dodge Custom Royal added above the Dodge Royal. Power came from either a 230 cu in (3.8 L) Chrysler Flathead engine straight-6, now producing 123 hp (92 kW) thanks to carburetion and other changes, or a 270 cu in (4.4 L) V8 with dual rocker arms (the "Hemi"). A number of trim lines were available:

• 2- or 4-door station wagon — The Coronet wagon used the Suburban name and had the V8 or Six.
• hardtop coupé — The V8 Coronet Lancer
• 2- or 4-door sedan — V8 or Six
• 2-door sedan — V8 or Six
• 4-door, eight-passenger limousine

1956 was the last year of this body style before the change in 1957, the only differences offered in 1956 from '55 were trim packages and the new D-500. The only external clues were discreet, crossed checkered flags and "500" lettering on its lower rear deck. The D-500 option (named for the NASCAR requirement that 500 identical models must be produced in order to be raced) was also available on any Dodge model, including station wagons and two-door sedans. The D-500 option included a 315 cid V8 with hemispherical heads (unlike other Dodge V8s which used polyspherical heads), a unique camshaft, valve lifters, pushrods, carburetor, ignition, and pistons. With a compression ratio of 9.25:1, four-barrel Carter WCFB carburetor, and dual-point distribution, peak horsepower was 260 bhp (190 kW) while torque was a solid 330 ft·lbf (450 N·m). The D-500 also received an upgraded suspension with very stiff front coil springs; heavy duty Oriflow shock absorbers, with the same valving specified for Dodge police cars, were mounted in the springs. Similar units were used in the rear. Overall height of the D-500 was 1.5 inches (38 mm) lower than its standard Dodge counterpart. The D-500 came standard with 15x5.5 inch wheels with 7.60x15 inch tubeless tires. An even hotter version of the D-500, the D-550-1 was intended primarily for NASCAR competition. The D-550-1 had an even stiffer suspension than the D-500. Under the hood, the engine received larger valves (about 18% larger), a full-race camshaft, and a double log intake manifold that used two four-barrel Carter WCFB carburetors. This all added up to 285 bhp (213 kW). It was the fastest car that year from the factory.

1957-59

See also 1957 Dodge

1957 saw the debut of the new D-501, which replaced the D-500 from the year before as the top Coronet. The D-501 received Chrysler's proven 354 cid Hemi V8, which were actually left over engines from the 1956 Chrysler 300B production. Camshafts from the 1957 Chrysler 392 cid engines were installed in the 354 V8s for added kick. Topped with a pair of Carter four barrel carbs and sporting a 10.0:1 compression ratio, the new engine put out 340 bhp (250 kW). Other changes included the addition of the Torsion-Aire Ride (torsion bar) front suspension and a heavy duty suspension with heavy duty shock absorbers and a heavy duty leaf sprung rear. A 3.73:1 rear axle was standard with the three-speed manual transmission, but automatic cars received a 3.18:1 rear axle. There were 13 optional rear axles available, ranging from 2.92:1 through 6.17:1. The D-501 received 7.60x15 tires wrapped around 15x8 inch wheels. Brakes were impressive 12-inch (300 mm) diameter drums. Only 101 D-501s were produced The 1958 and 1959 Coronet, Royal, and Custom Royal used a DeSoto chassis but had less ornate trim. Power came from the 230 cu in (3.8 L) "Getaway" L-head straight-6 or the 325 cu in (5.3 L) "Red Ram" V8.

1965-67

Fifth Generation

Production	1965–1970
Assembly	Highland Park, Michigan
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Platform	B-body
Engine(s)	225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6 I6 273 cu in (4.5 L) LA V8 318 cu in (5.2 L) A V8 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8 361 cu in (5.9 L)B V8 383 cu in (6.3 L) RB "Magnum" V8 426 cu in (7 L) RB V8 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB "Magnum" V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	116.0 in (2946 mm) Wagon: 117.0 in (2972 mm)
Length	209.7 in (5326 mm)
Related	Plymouth Belvedere Plymouth Savoy Dodge Charger Plymouth GTX Plymouth Road Runner

After a brief absence, the Coronet name was attached to the former fullsize models in 1965 to become Dodge's mid-sized car. It received a redesign in 1966, and a facelift in 1967. Larger, rebodied models emerged in 1968, with Coke-bottle styling. A powerful 375 hp 440 model appeared for the 1967 Coronet R/T, upped to 390 hp (290 kW) with 3 2 barrel carburetors on the "Six Pak" version of 1969-1/2. Two-door hardtop and convertible models were part of the range.

1968-70

The Coronet and similar Plymouth Belvedere were available for 1969 in 426-S muscle car trim. This included the famous 426 cu in (7 L) Hemi V8, producing 425 horsepower (317 kW). The 440 with a single four barrel was also available in this year. Rated at 375 horsepower (280 kW), the 440 could really produce 420 horsepower (310 kW).^{[citation needed]}

1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee

The Dodge Super Bee was a limited production muscle car from Dodge division produced from 1968 through 1971. The original Super Bee was based on the Dodge Coronet, a 2-door model only and was produce from 1968 through 1970. It was Dodge’s low-priced muscle car, the equivalent to Plymouth Road Runner, and was priced at $3,027. Available with Hemi engine, this option increased by 33%, only 125 models were sold with this engine option. The Super Bee included a heavy-duty suspension , an optional Mopar A-833 four-speed manual transmission, with high performance tires, and a stripe (with the bee logo) wrapped around the tail.

1968 Dodge Coronet 500

1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee

A “six-pack” (three two-barrel carburetors) version of the 440 engine was added to the list mid-year. This engine was between the standard engine and the Hemi as a $463 option. The 1969 model year gave customers several engines to choose from, the base 383hp (high performance), 440 six pack, and the 426 Hemi V8. The 440 Magnum (4bbl) was not available as an option, it was reserved for the Coronet R/T.

In 1970, the Super Bee was given a different front end look that consisted of a dual ovaled grill that was referred to as “bumble bee wings”, this new look turned off many buyers. Despite the new looks, the engines, as well as the “ramcharger” hood (that carried over from 1969 model), sales plummeted for the 1970 model. In 1970, Dodge also produced four Super Bee convertibles; the whereabouts of the four cars are unknown.

1971-72

Sixth Generation

Production	1971–1974
Assembly	Highland Park, Michigan
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Engine(s)	225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6 I6 318 cu in (5.2 L) 318 LA V8 383 cu in (6.3 L) RB "Magnum" V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) B V8 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB "Magnum" V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	118.0 in (2997 mm)
Length	Sedan: 207.0 in (5258 mm) Wagon: 213.4 in (5420 mm)
Width	Sedan: 77.7 in (1974 mm) Wagon: 56.4 in (1433 mm)
Height	Sedan: 53.7 in (1364 mm) Wagon: 63.4 in (1610 mm)
Related	Plymouth Belvedere Plymouth Savoy Dodge Charger Plymouth GTX Plymouth Road Runner

The new Coronet was a twin of the four-door Plymouth Satellite and featured more flowing styling. It was offered only as a sedan and station wagon, the related and also restyled Dodge Charger covering the coupe market. Slight alterations of the front grille, headlights, and taillights followed in 1972. Sales of the Coronet were fairly low from this point onwards, with around 80-90,000 produced each year through 1973 (compared with 196,242 as recently as 1968), due both to the fuel crisis and to a proliferation of Dodge and Plymouth models, and the growing effect of overlap with the other Chrysler Corporation brands.^[1]

1973

In addition to the usual changes in grille, lights, and interior, Dodge introduced its "TorsionQuiet" system of additional silencers and rubber vibration insulators, providing a much smoother ride and a quieter interior.

1974

Seventh Generation

Production	1975–1976
Assembly	Highland Park, Michigan
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Engine(s)	225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6 I6 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8 360 cu in (5.9 L) LA V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) B V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	Sedan & Wagon: 117.0 in (2972 mm) Coupe: 115.0 in (2921 mm)
Length	Sedan: 217.9 in (5535 mm) Coupe: 213.8 in (5431 mm) Wagon: 225.6 in (5730 mm)
Width	Sedan: 77.7 in (1974 mm) Coupe: 77.4 in (1966 mm) Wagon: 79.2 in (2012 mm)
Height	Sedan: 53.9 in (1369 mm) Coupe: 52.6 in (1336 mm) Wagon: 56.5 in (1435 mm)

The front and rear fascias were redesigned, most notably the rear bumper, which met the 1974 DOT requirements. The sedan bodystyle would be the basis of the later Coronets (and its twin, the Plymouth Fury) until the 1978 model year.

1975

In 1975, the cars received a freshening, with the body appearing squarer, and the Coronet coupe returned for a single year (and would share much in common with the 2 door Charger Sport that would appear the following year). The front fascia was redesigned with 2 round headlights, which was shared with its Plymouth Fury twin.

1976

1976 was the final year for the name; for the 1977 model year, Coronets were renamed Monaco - until then, the next Dodge up, on a larger body - and given stacked square headlights and other minor changes, which provided an immediate sales boost. The Royal Monaco model remained on the larger, former Monaco body. Another replacement for the Coronet was the Dodge Diplomat.

1980s

Dodge Coronet was used as a name for the Colombian-market Dodge Diplomat.

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References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (September 2008)

• Gunnell, John, Editor (2004). The Standard Guide to 1950s American Cars. Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87349-868-2. 
• "Dodge Coronet cars at Allpar". allpar.com. http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/coronet.html. Retrieved January 25 2007. 
• "Dodge Coronet History Part I". Musclecarclub.com. http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/dodge-coronet/dodge-coronet-history-1.shtml. Retrieved July 28 2006. 
• "Dodge Coronet History Part II". Musclecarclub.com. http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/dodge-coronet/dodge-coronet-history-2.shtml. Retrieved July 28 2006. 

1. ^ "Dodge Coronet cars at Allpar". allpar.com. http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/coronet.html. Retrieved February 1 2007.