1968 Dodge Coronet

The Coronet nameplate was first used by Dodge in 1949 and applied to its first postwar models to wear all-new styling. The name continued through 1959 before it entered a brief retirement, returning in 1965 and continuing through 1976. The mid-1960s Coronet was an intermediate-sized vehicle wearing a B-body and resting on a 117-inch wheelbase platform. The affordability, size, features, and design were well received by consumers and over 209,000 examples were sold for 1965, making it the most popular model sold by Dodge that year.

The Dodge Coronet received new styling for 1968 and came in several trim levels including the Deluxe, 440 Series, 500 Series, and R/T Series. Several body styles were available including a convertible, hardtop coupe, 6- and 9-passenger station wagon, and sedan. The new styling gave the Coronet a rounder profile with a full-width grille that contained quad headlights. In the back, the taillights were surrounded by a full-width concave panel. The Coronet's name could be found in block lettering located along the sides of the rear fenders. The Dodge name, also in block lettering, could be found on the vertical section of the escutcheon panel.

The Coronet Deluxe, the base Coronet model, came with an ashtray light, ashtray, a cigarette lighter, all the federally mandated safety equipment, window sill moldings, color-keyed rubber floor mats, rear armrests, a 225 cubic-inch Slant Six engine, heater, and defroster. The Coronet Deluxe was available as a coupe, sedan, or 6-passenger station wagon. Pricing began at $2,500 for the sedan and rose to $2,815 for the station wagon.

The intermediate trim level of the Coronet series was the Coronet 440. These models were equipped with carpeting, dual horns, and a steering wheel with a horn ring. The hardtops and sedans had window sill moldings. The station wagons and hardtops had all-vinyl bench seats. Body styles including a sedan, hardtop coupe, and 6- or 9-passenger station wagon. Midyear, Dodge added a Super Bee option, based on the Coronet 440 pillared coupe. The Super Bee came standard with a 383 cubic-inch V8 delivering 335 horsepower. They had a four-speed transmission with Hurst 'Competition Plus' floor shifter, dual exhaust, bench seat, heavy-duty suspension, power bulge hood, and bumblebee striping.

The top trim level of the Coronet series was the 500 Series. This had all the features found on the Coronet 440 plus all-vinyl bench seats. Convertibles had a power top. Station wagons had simulated wood-grain on the body-side and tailgate panels. Sedans and hardtops had vinyl bucket seats. The sedans could be purchased with bucket seats with cloth inserts. The base engine in the Coronet 500 Series was the 318 CID V8. Body styles included a sedan, hardtop coupe, convertible, and 6- or 9-passenger station wagon. Pricing began at $2,830 for the hardtop coupe and rose to $3,300 for the 9-passenger station wagon.

The high-performance model of the Coronet series was the Coronet R/T. These models came with all the features of the Coronet 500 plus a 440 cubic-inch Magnum V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. They had an ashtray light, all-vinyl bucket seating in the front, carpeting, cigarette lighter, 150 mph speedometer, steering wheel with padded hub and horn ring, bodyside or Bumblebee stripes, R/T emblems on the grille, 70 amp/hour battery, heavy-duty drum brakes, dual horns, and rear armrests. They also had a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission, drip rail, wheel lip, and window sill moldings. They also had a Rallye suspension and wide-tread black sidewall tires. Convertible body styles had a power top, map, and courtesy lights. Body styles included the hardtop coupe and a convertible.

The 'Scat Pack' became part of Dodge's marketing strategy in 1968, and was an upscale package styled as the marque's 'refined performance.' It featured high-performance suspension parts, a special cast rear-trim panel, colorful R/T emblems, quad headlamps, and extra hood brightwork.

The Plymouth Road Runner was introduced in 1968 and proved very popular, so Dodge needed something as well. The result was the mid-year Super Bee, and like its cartoon-inspired stablemate at Plymouth, the no-frills Coronet Super Bee delivered exceptional performance and muscular image with a cheeky attitude and budget-friendly pricing. Beginning with the standard Coronet, Dodge added the Road Runner's powertrain options, but also added the Charger's performance dash cluster, which was not available in the Coronet R/T. Among the powertrain options were the 383 cubic-inch Magnum V8 with 335 hp or the 426 Hemi. With two four-barrel carburetors, a free-flowing dual exhaust, the 426 Hem V8 produced an advertised 426 horsepower which meant the Dodge had few rear competitors on the street and drag strip alike. Upgraded heavy-duty underpinnings and a choice of Chryslers 833 4-speed or Torqueflite automatic transmissions plus Dana 60 rear ends and Sure-Grip limited-slip planted the Hemis massive power to the road. For 1968, Dodge built 7,841 examples of the Super Bee and most (7,716) were equipped with the standard 383 engine. 125 examples of the Hemi Super Bees including 31 equipped with the 4-speed transmission.

The basic Super Bee was capable of quarter-mile runs in the mid-to-high 14-second range at nearly 100 mph through the traps.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2014