1958 Dodge Coronet
- Thread starter matthon
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matthon
Well-Known Member
Known this guy for years, couldn't get this car (in my price range) out of my brain.
Would like a chance to own a 50s Mopar, and the 58 Dodge is the one, imo.
So, I went to take a good look, at least a better look, last year during the summer.
He saved it years ago, no doubt, unfortunately put it in the only available place under cover, and it sunk into the ground. It's pretty damp in there, even after weeks of heat.
Possibly a seized engine, cracked windshield. Floor completely covered in a galvanized sheet, couldn't see under it.
Trunk floor was also covered, same as interior floor, but with 3 patches that pulled up. It's roughly half gone.
Headliner is gone.
Flat front tires, sits so low I couldn't get a look under the sides. Definitely on the ground in areas. Couldn't jack it up enough, really at all, to see anything.
The good, he had another windshield, headliner bows intact, the trim was in the trunk, as well as new, yet old, rockers, half quarters, lower fender panels, and one rocker, hood, trunk, doors, solid.
Couldn't tell if both rear frame rails are rotted in half or not.
It is complete and imo badass.
He will not pull it out, buried in there, unless it's a deal, and acknowledges frame condition unknown.
Plan was to replace the drivetrain, make it move, stop, safe, patch the floors with sheetmetal, put the trim on it, and done.
I had to pass, it's just beyond my limits if the frame is shot, and I don't want to gamble.
Yet, it's wrong to leave it there. Damn!
Would like a chance to own a 50s Mopar, and the 58 Dodge is the one, imo.
So, I went to take a good look, at least a better look, last year during the summer.
He saved it years ago, no doubt, unfortunately put it in the only available place under cover, and it sunk into the ground. It's pretty damp in there, even after weeks of heat.
Possibly a seized engine, cracked windshield. Floor completely covered in a galvanized sheet, couldn't see under it.
Trunk floor was also covered, same as interior floor, but with 3 patches that pulled up. It's roughly half gone.
Headliner is gone.
Flat front tires, sits so low I couldn't get a look under the sides. Definitely on the ground in areas. Couldn't jack it up enough, really at all, to see anything.
The good, he had another windshield, headliner bows intact, the trim was in the trunk, as well as new, yet old, rockers, half quarters, lower fender panels, and one rocker, hood, trunk, doors, solid.
Couldn't tell if both rear frame rails are rotted in half or not.
It is complete and imo badass.
He will not pull it out, buried in there, unless it's a deal, and acknowledges frame condition unknown.
Plan was to replace the drivetrain, make it move, stop, safe, patch the floors with sheetmetal, put the trim on it, and done.
I had to pass, it's just beyond my limits if the frame is shot, and I don't want to gamble.
Yet, it's wrong to leave it there. Damn!
Amazing…reminds me of the Young Frankenstein flick…It’s ALIVE. I restored a pretty complete rust bucket 30 years ago having some encounters at first thought impossible; but accomplished with the great help of my smart dad and a body shop bud good with fabrication. No idea how long this Dodge sat in the dirt; but in my case the frame was still solid enough even after endless hours blasting it.
Man, that Dodge is just a neat old ride.
Man, that Dodge is just a neat old ride.
#41
Well-Known Member
the
Hard to tell on the color. Dodge had a spring blue that looked very close to the other blue. The tag on the cowl will have a 3 letter code that will tell you the body color(s). Look up the color charts on google and match up the letters (lower/mid/roof colors).
These things are a handful to work on due to very limited parts available and rust-prone construction. The repro sheetmetal you see on eBay is junk. Be prepared to have to spend a lot of time working it over. You may find it better to just buy the tools and make your own panels.
I've been living it for 2 years now ....currently combining a rusty 57 club coupe with a parted out four door to make one car.
Hard to tell on the color. Dodge had a spring blue that looked very close to the other blue. The tag on the cowl will have a 3 letter code that will tell you the body color(s). Look up the color charts on google and match up the letters (lower/mid/roof colors).
These things are a handful to work on due to very limited parts available and rust-prone construction. The repro sheetmetal you see on eBay is junk. Be prepared to have to spend a lot of time working it over. You may find it better to just buy the tools and make your own panels.
I've been living it for 2 years now ....currently combining a rusty 57 club coupe with a parted out four door to make one car.
Ray70Chrg
Well-Known Member
'57 &'58 dodge 2dr coronets are my favorite 50s car. Looked even better than '57 chevys. All the kool cars wore dual antenna even thou only 1 was connected. Don't know if you could order it or it was purely custom item. Good to see one coming back from the near dead. Good luck with it.
tonysrt
Well-Known Member
Dodge didn't use a 350 only Plymouth. Dodge used the 361.
matthon
Well-Known Member
It came with rockers, rear lower quarters, and lower front fender patches in the trunk, they were there when he bought it.
I owned a 57 Chevy for about 15 years after high school. At the time I didn't even know about the Mopar counterparts.
Found the tag, I'll have to look it up.
It's a 325 poly head, he told me Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler had their own engines.
I've been told by others the 325 will accept the old style hemi heads.
He has 4 old hemis.
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That car looks L-O-N-G !
I wonder how it compares to a 68-70 Charger....
I wonder how it compares to a 68-70 Charger....
#41
Well-Known Member
I don't think you can go wrong buying a 1957-59 Dodge 2 door hardtop, even if it is rusty. I think demand will only grow for those cars. I bought a 1957 Custom Royal 4 door sedan in 2013, hoping to find a 2 dr htp and use it for parts. Still looking for the hardtop and still have the sedan.
Chrysler really dropped the ball on the Forward Look sedan roofline, and at the same time hit a home run with the hardtop, so much so that GM stole it for their 1959 line up, and Ford in 1960.
Chrysler really dropped the ball on the Forward Look sedan roofline, and at the same time hit a home run with the hardtop, so much so that GM stole it for their 1959 line up, and Ford in 1960.
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