1965 Dodge Coronet 440

The 1965 Coronet was Dodge's intermediate size model, positioned above the Dart and below the full-size Polara, Custom 880, and Monaco. Within the Coronet line included the 'base' trim level equipped with the 225 cubic-in six-cylinder engine, available in two- and four-door sedan configurations, plus a 6-passenger station wagon, and riding on 7.35 x 14 tubeless tires. Standard equipment included a heater and defroster, rear window moldings, a single bodyside horizontal chrome strip, front seat belts, and electric windshield wipers. Prices ranged from $2,225 to $2,630 with the six-cylinder options and $2,320 to $2,650 with the V8 installed.

The 440 series was the intermediate Coronet, above the 'base' and below the Coronet 500. Body styles included a two-door hardtop with seating for six, a four-door sedan, convertible, and a 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. A six-cylinder engine was standard on all body styles except the 9-passenger wagon which came with a 273 CID V8 engine and power tailgate window. The sedan had a base price of $2,340, the hardtop at $2,370, and the convertible at $2,590. The six-passenger wagon had a factory base price of $2,640 and the eight-cylinder 9-passenger wagon at $2,830.

The Coronet 440 Series came standard with air foam front seats, carpeting, back-up lights, plus all the amenities found on the lower 'base' Coronet. The convertible had a power top, vinyl interior, and carpeting. The Coronet 550 Series added a padded instrument panel, wheel covers, console and bucket seats, Coronet 500 nameplates, and a single bodyside horizontal chrome strip.

The Dart's wheelbase measured 111-inches, the Coronet measured 117-inches, and the Polara, Custom 880, and Monaco used a 121-inch wheelbase platform.

Engines
The 225 cubic-inch 'Slant' six-cylinder had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, 8.4:1 compression, four main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Holley one-barrel carburetor, and delivered 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The 273 cubic-inch V8 had overhead valves, 8.8:1 compression, hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 180 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. The High-Performance version of the 273 CID used a Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor, 10.5:1 compression, and delivered 235 horsepower at 5,200 RPM.

Additional V8 engine options included the 318 CID with 230 hp, the 361 CID V8 produced 265 hp, the 383 CID V8 had 330 hp, the 413 CID with 340 hp, and the 426 'Hemi' in either 'Race' or 'Street' trim. The 426 had hemispherical combustion chambers, five main bearings, and two Carter four-barrel carburetors. The 'Race' Hemi had solid valve lifters and 12.0:1 compression, while the 'Street' had hydraulic valve lifters and a 10.1:1 compression ratio. Power ranged from 365 horsepower to 425 horsepower depending on the configuration.

Production
Dodge built a total of 63,100 examples of the Coronet during 1965, with approximately 37,100 equipped with the six-cylinder engine and 26,000 with V8s. An additional 25,600 were station wagons (on the intermediate Coronet and Coronet 440 Series), with the majority (21,800) receiving the V8 engine.

The Coronet 440 proved popular with 87,500 examples built, with the V8s again being the more popular, with 75,600 examples so-equipped.

The Coronet 500 accounted for 33,300 units produced during 1966, all with V8 engines.

A three-speed manual transmission was standard on all Coronets, with the three-speed TorqueFlite and four-speed manual transmissions optional.

The 426 CID Hemi was an exclusive option, fitted in 34 two-door 'base' Coronet sedans and 49 Deluxe Coronet two-door sedans. Within the 440 Series, 288 two-door hardtops and 6 convertibles received the 426 Hemi. Within the Coronet 500 were 340 two-door hardtops and 21 convertibles with the 426 Hemi.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021