In the realm of golden-era muscle cars, Dodges have been stealing the spotlight. However, not every model has gained the fame of the Charger, Challenger, or Super Bee. Take the Dodge Coronet, for example, which often flies under the radar.
The Coronet, Dodge’s equivalent to the Plymouth Belvedere, served as the company’s entry-level intermediate. Its absence of lavish features may be the reason it doesn’t garner the same attention as the Charger, but the Coronet was no slouch when it came to performance.
In fact, Dodge introduced the formidable 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8 to the Coronet as early as 1966, and the R/T package followed in 1967.
The R/T bundle echoed the offerings on the Charger, featuring a host of performance-driven enhancements and boasting the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Magnum V8 as standard. The 426 Street HEMI was also available as an option.
These powerful engines transformed the Coronet into a bona fide muscle car that was considerably more budget-friendly than its Charger sibling.
In 1967, the Coronet nameplate enjoyed widespread popularity, with over 100,000 units produced. However, a mere 10,000 or so examples were outfitted with the coveted R/T package. Although these numbers don’t necessarily elevate the R/T to a highly sought-after and expensive rarity, finding a convertible variant is quite a challenge.
This is because only 628 customers opted for the high-performance bundle on the convertible configuration, making it a true hidden gem among classic muscle cars.
The majority of buyers chose the base 440 V8 engine, but a select three opted for the elusive 426 HEMI. These rarities, valued at over $500,000 each in restored condition, are among the most coveted Mopars ever created. They seldom appear at auctions, however.
That’s not to say that 440-equipped versions are commonplace. Out of the 625 examples manufactured, some emerged as one-of-a-kind gems due to their distinctive features. The car pictured here, for example, is a one-of-one treasure that would make any Mopar enthusiast’s heart race.
Its allure lies in the striking Medium Copper Metallic paint, found on just three 1967 Coronet R/Ts. This convertible is accompanied by two hardtop models sporting the same rare hue.
This Mopar’s unique history only adds to its appeal. The convertible, having experienced a rough journey, required restoration in the 1990s when its current owner acquired it.
Life’s unexpected twists and turns led to the car being stored in a garage for nearly two decades before being placed on a rotisserie in 2017.
Following a comprehensive rebuild and a two-year stint in the body shop, the Coronet R/T emerged looking as pristine as the day it rolled off the assembly line. Restored with the help of two other 1967 Coronets, it still boasts a numbers-matching V8 and remains period-correct in every aspect.
With only 90,000 miles (144,841 km) on the odometer, this copper convertible now relishes its retirement as a Concours-ready masterpiece. It will soon be accompanied by a 1967 hardtop in the same color (non-R/T).
Until that day arrives and the owner can proudly display them as a pair, feast your eyes on this stunning convertible in the video below. It’s enough to make you wish summer was already here, isn’t it?
