1969 Dodge Coronet 440, 2-door hardtop, Series WH, Model WH23
On loan from: Al Erickson, Kearney, NE. He bought the car from Donald Fleischmann who bought the car in 2011 from the Clarence Hawthorne’s family. Mr. Hawthorne was the original owner. The car has only 14,000 miles on it.
Original price: $2,778.00 (In 1969: Average car cost, $2,822.00; average household income, $7,850.00; average home cost, $14,950.00; gallon of gas, 34 cents)
Number made: 7,240; all models, 1969, 440 series: 103,500
Engine, etc.: OHV V-8; 318 cu in.; 230 hp; 4-barrel carburetor; 117 in. wheelbase; 3,600 lbs.
Dodge introduced the Coronet in 1949 as its top trim level. A base level four-door sedan cost $1,930. In the following years, little was changed except for trim levels. The base price rose to $2,100 for a four-door sedan in 1954. The Coronet convertible was the official pace car of the Indy 500 that year.
In 1956, the Coronet was restyled, made six-inches longer, became wider, and sat lower to the ground. Tri-colored paint jobs were common and it had a wraparound windshield. Tail fins finished the rear end and a push-button transmission was offered. The car was again restyled in 1957 and became even lower and had large tail fins. Improvements were made in the engines of 1958 Coronets and headlights were now quad units. The 1959 models had even larger fins and headlights became even more exaggerated. Length, width, and wheelbase were all enlarged. Many new options became available including a swivel-seat which would swing out to meet its occupant.
By 1966, Dodge began to shrink the Coronet, shortening it by an inch and bucket seats became standard. The grille from the Charger was used on the 1967 Coronet. Over 10,000 were sold that year.
In 1968, the Coronet was restyled again and given a smoother, rounder profile. Quad headlights were set in the full-width grille and tail lights were in a full-width panel. R/T [Road and Track] and Super Bee Coronet configurations were also available. The Super Bee was introduced in 1968. The “I’m all engine – the body’s just here to keep rain off the driver” image of the Super Bee drew attention away from the Coronet R/T. Competition came from the Plymouth GTX and Road Runner which both sold substantially more cars in 1969.
The 440 cu. in. V-8 became available in 1969. It had 390 hp and would do 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. However, sales began to fall with only 7,240 Coronets sold.
By the early 1970’s the muscle car era was ending due to government regulations, safety concerns, and an impending oil embargo. Engine sizes declined and Dodge offered only 4-door Coronets in a sedan or station wagon style.
The base Coronet cost $2,720 in 1972. In 1975 a two-door model was added to the Coronet line and the 225 cu. in. 6-cylinder engine produced 95 hp; the 318 cu. in. engine had 145 hp.
Production of the Coronet ceased in 1976.
Sources: http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8897/Dodge-Coronet.aspx (Entry goes to R/T; scroll down)
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=7887&year=1969&model=31628
Original 1969 sales brochure:
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Dodge/1969_Dodge/1969_Dodge_Coronet_Brochure/dirindex.html
