conceptcarz.com

1965 Dodge Coronet

The 1965 Dodge Coronet Series was the company's intermediate-size model available as the Coronet, Coronet 440, and Coronet 500 Series. It was built on a 117-inch wheelbase platform with a length of 204.2 inches. The base series was powered by a 225 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine offering 145 horsepower. Body styles including a 2- and 4-door sedan, and a station wagon. Standard features including electric windshield wipers, seat belts in the front, a heater and defroster, and a Coronet name script.

Dodge's model lineup for 1965 included the entry-level Dart Series, comprised of the 'base' Dart 170 series, the intermediate Dart 270 Series, and the top-trim Dart GT. Prices ranged from $2,050 to $2,600 with the six-cylinder engine installed, and $2,145 to $2,690 with the 273 CID V8.
The Dodge Coronet prices ranged from $2,230 to $2,730with the 'Slant' Six and $2,320 to $2,850 with the 318 CID V8.

Dodge's full-size models included the Polara, the Custom 880 with a higher level of trim and accouterments than the Polara, and the Monaco, available solely as a two-door hardtop. These full-size models were only available with the V8. The Polara was priced from $2,770 to $3,215, and the Custom 880 ranged from $2,970 to $3,475. The range-topping Monaco was priced at $3,300, the highest price among Dodge's passenger cars, and nearly as expensive as the Custom 880 station wagons.

Coronet History
When Dodge first started using the Coronet name in 1949, it represented the automaker's highest trim level. This was the same year Dodge introduced its first all-new postwar body styles. Below the Coronet was the Wayfarer and the Meadowbrook. The Wayfarer represented the entry-level two-door body styles and the Meadowbrook was the entry-level four-door sedan. The Wayfarer, Meadowbrook, and the Coronet were equipped with the same L-head 230 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine that delivered 103 horsepower. The Coronet differed from its siblings by its higher level of interior accouterments and minor trim differences.

The Coronet continued as Dodge's top trim level through 1953, when it was displaced by the Royal series in 1954, and repositioned as the intermediate trim level.

Dodge vehicles received new sheet metal and restyling for 1955, wearing designed from newly hired Virgil Exner. They were wider, lower, and longer than previous models, and the public agreed with the new 'looks,' significantly increasing Dodge sales over the previous year. The Coronet became the new base trim level for Dodge, positioned below the intermediate Royal and the top Custom Royal Series.

Another all-new restyling followed in 1957, again with the Coronet representing the base trim level. The new D-501 replaced the D-500 from the previous year as the top Coronet. It came equipped with Chrysler's 354 cubic-inch Hemi V8, which were unsold engines from the 1956 Chrysler 300B. With the camshafts from the Chrysler 392 CID engines, a 10.0:1 compression ratio, and a pair of Carter four-barrel carburetors, the engine delivered 340 horsepower. Other noteworthy additions included the torsion-Aire Ride front suspension, a heavy-duty leaf-sprung rear, and a heavy-duty suspension with heavy-duty shock absorbers. A mere 101 examples of the D-501 were built.

This 'fourth generation' of styling continued through 1959. After the 1959 model year, Dodge retired the 'Coronet' name, only to revive it in 1965, taking over the duties previously held by the Polara, which was now moved to the full-size platform. The B-body styling introduced in 1965 would continue through 1967. In 1968, the Coronet and its Plymouth Belvedere sibling were completely redesigned, along with the Dodge Charger which shared the B-body platform. A mild facelift occurred in 1970 before the all-new 'sixth generation' of styling was introduced in 1971. The 'seventh' and final generation of styling appeared in 1975 before the Coronet name was phased out following the 1976 model year.

1965 Coronet 440
The Coronet 440 Series added a 9-passenger station wagon and a convertible. It added backup lights, carpeting, a vinyl interior on the convertible and 9-passenger station wagon, and air foam front seats. Power was from six- or eight-cylinder engines.

1965 Coronet 500
The top trim level in the Coronet series was the Coronet 500. It had all the features found on the 440 Series plus added a horizontal chrome strip along the beltline, padded instrument panel, wheel covers, console, and bucket seats. Body styles for the 500 Series included a convertible and a 2-door hardtop.

1965 Engines
Dodge's smallest 1965 six-cylinder engine was the 170 'Slant' Six powering the entry-level Dart Series. The standard six-cylinder engine in the Coronet was the 225 cubic-inch 'Slant' Six with overhead valves, a cast-iron block, 8.4:1 compression, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, and breathing through a one-barrel Carter carburetor.

The list of V8 engine options included the 273, 318, 361, 383, 413, and the 426 Hemi. All of these engines had overhead valves, cast-iron blocks, and most had hydraulic valve lifters and five main bearings. The 426 Hemi had solid valve lifters and hemispherical combustion chambers. These engines were primarily intended for competition, and when equipped from the factory, they came with an 'as is' disclaimer without a warranty.

The 273 CID was the base V8 engine in the Dart and the 318 CID was the standard V8 in the Coronet and full-size vehicles. The 318 used a Carter two-barrel carburetor, delivered 230 horsepower, and when installed in the Coronet, added $25 to the base price.

The 361 CID V8 used a Carter two-barrel carburetor and produced 265 horsepower at 4,400 RPM, the 383 CID V8 with a Carter four-barrel setup offered 330 horsepower, and the 413 CID with a Carter four-barrel carburetor produced 340 horsepower. The 426 Hemi produced between 365 to 425 horsepower, with the most extreme version having a base price of approximately $1,800.

A three-speed manual transmission was standard, and a four-speed manual and TorqueFlite automatic were optional.

1965 Dimensions
The entry-level Dart rested on a 111-inch wheelbase platform for its passenger cars, and 106-inches for its station wagons. The Coronet had a 117-inch wheelbase and the full-size models used a 121-inch wheelbase platform. The Coronet had a length of 204.2-inches, the Dart measured 195.9-inches (the station wagons were smaller at 190.2-inches), and the full-size passenger cars were 212.3-inches (the station wagons were 217.1-inches).

1965 Production
Dodge produced 550,795 vehicles in 1965 which earned it 6.2 percent of the total United States automotive market share. The most popular was the Coronet with 209,393 examples produced, followed closely by the entry-level Dart with 206,631 examples produced. A total of 134,771 examples of the full-size models were built, including the Polara, Custom 880, and the Monaco.


by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2015

Related Reading : Dodge Coronet History

In 1949 Dodge introduced the Coronet which was the top trim level offered by Dodge. It was similar to the Meadowbrook models in many respects, deviating in their interior appointments and minor differences with trim. The base-level four-door sedan body style was offered for under %241930. The top of the line version was the two-door station wagon which had seating for six and cost %242865. An L-head six-cylinder....
Continue Reading >>

1965 Dodge Coronet Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Related Automotive News

MECUM KISSIMMEE 2017 AUCTION IS LOADED WITH SIGNIFICANT DRAG RACING HISTORY

MECUM KISSIMMEE 2017 AUCTION IS LOADED WITH SIGNIFICANT DRAG RACING HISTORY

Fezell and Runyon Collections Headline the Worlds Largest Collector-Car Auction WALWORTH, Wis. – Dec. 13, 2016 – Drag racing enthusiasts have lots to look forward to at Mecum Auctions Kissimmee 2017 classic and collector-car auction...
MOPAR HEMI® CHALLENGE SET FOR 60TH NHRA U.S. NATIONALS

MOPAR HEMI® CHALLENGE SET FOR 60TH NHRA U.S. NATIONALS

This Years Edition to Include Special 50th Anniversary HEMI Tribute Mopar s HEMI® Challenge will be held for a 14th consecutive season at NHRAs 60th U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, August 28-29 This years edition to commemo...
MOPAR TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ICONIC 426 HEMI IN 2014

MOPAR TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ICONIC 426 HEMI IN 2014

Mopar Unveils Logo, Special Product Line and Plans Marketing Events 2014 marks 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Gen II 426 Race HEMI® Mopar unveils 50th anniversary HEMI logo celebrating the iconic engine Engine made its legendar...

MOPAR READY TO STAGE AT THE PRESTIGIOUS U.S. NATIONALS

Mopar entries compete at prestigious 59th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis this Labor Day weekend Weekend kicks off with Mopar HEMI® Challenge at Lucas Oil Raceway for a 13th consecutive season Mopar to introduce Third Generation 426 Rac...

MOPAR® HEMI® CHALLENGE RETURNS TO THE U.S. NATIONALS FOR A 13TH YEAR

Mopar HEMI Challenge returns to the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis August 29-30th for a 13th consecutive season. Winner will take home %2415,000 purse, the iconic HEMI Challenge trophy and the addition of a custom Mopar winn...