1972 Dodge Coronet Custom!

[Mod1243]

Im a young guy who's just now digging deep into the history of older cars ans still have a lot to learn. I've owned some older cars in the past but this is my first old school mopar (1972 Dodge Coronet Custom).

I've got some issues going on and need help figuring out what direction to go in.

The car has a large dent in the passenger side door (see attached picture ) and im not sure how to go about repairing it. Looks as if someone has already tried crudley hammering it out with no luck. The car is solid and runs great and the door is the only real issue im facing. I cant find a spare door anywhere.

Are there any other models that will fit my 72? Darts? Satalites? Different year models?

I was able to find these door skins but it says it's only for a 68-70 although it would appear to visually fit. Also could I just cut and weld in my own metal if it came down to it? Would really like to repair it on my own as I do not have a huge budget at this time.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Auto-Metal-D...C5AZ8wEmXE_1jyf89rLGdvKE6U9ODpqXVvp32p3HcW915

 

[Don Frelier]

If there is an inside structure you can try sticking a football in there and inflate it.
Might be able to get some of it out from the inside with a block of wood and a mallet.

Otherwise you would need a stud gun/slide hammer dent puller.
Get it close as you can then fill over what remains with body filler.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

If there is an inside structure you can try sticking a football in there and inflate it.
Might be able to get some of it out from the inside with a block of wood and a mallet.

Otherwise you would need a stud gun/slide hammer dent puller.
Get it close as you can then fill over what remains with body filler.

Welcome to the world of FLEET car survivors guild. Parts can be a challenge to find, but they're out there. That door can be repaired, but only by a good samaritan body man. I would think that a '73 custom door/s may work, but not sure. Your '72 and my '73 have very close similarities in body fitness. It looks to me that we both share an interior color too. Mine is a two tone Gold from the factory.
Burnt Gold on the outside.

Go to Carlisle and see what you may find.

 

[Mod1243]

Welcome to the world of FLEET car survivors guild. Parts can be a challenge to find, but they're out there. That door can be repaired, but only by a good samaritan body man. I would think that a '73 custom door/s may work, but not sure. Your '72 and my '73 have very close similarities in body fitness. It looks to me that we both share an interior color too. Mine is a two tone Gold from the factory.
Burnt Gold on the outside.

Go to Carlisle and see what you may find.

View attachment 1867683

Yeah my original paint color is the same as yours but the guy who owned it before me decided to spray paint it unfortunately. Considering stripping it down or sanding cleaning and repainting it. Honestly not sure yet.

I dont get it, according to Google these cars were pretty common and they have some cool styling to them so why are they so hard to find? Why aren't they considerd a "muscle car"? I could be ignorant but aren't they just a 4 door version of the challenger?

 

[Don Frelier]

Yeah my original paint color is the same as yours but the guy who owned it before me decided to spray paint it unfortunately. Considering stripping it down or sanding cleaning and repainting it. Honestly not sure yet.

I dont get it, according to Google these cars were pretty common and they have some cool styling to them so why are they so hard to find? Why aren't they considerd a "muscle car"? I could be ignorant but aren't they just a 4 door version of the challenger?

They were just everyday cars on the inexpensive side so people just used them and got rid of them after they were worn or damaged. My first car was a 1977 Fury try and find one today they're mostly all crushed.

A challenger is an E-body different wheelbase etc... these cars are a B-body.

 

[493 Mike]

By 72 there was not muscle under the hood-insurance companies extracted most of it! No, the Challenger is a E body platform like the Cuda. Coronets are B bodies-note this forums name.
Mike

 

[Mod1243]

They were just everyday cars on the inexpensive side so people just used them and got rid of them after they were worn or damaged. My first car was a 1977 Fury try and find one today they're mostly all crushed.

A challenger is an E-body different wheelbase etc... these cars are a B-body.

Thats unfortunate because im pretty fond of this car and really wanting to bring it back and keep it alive but seems like parts are far and few between.

From what I can tell everything is pretty original on the car and im the 4th owner of it (supposedly). The two owners before me were wheeling and dealing and didn't have the car long.

Dash and gauages all works, its a Factory A/C car. It's got 0 rust other then the battery tray. It's really solid.

 

[Mod1243]

By 72 there was not muscle under the hood-insurance companies extracted most of it! No, the Challenger is a E body platform like the Cuda. Coronets are B bodies-note this forums name.
Mike

Sorry again im young and still learning, I understood that the coronet was a B-Body but was misinformed on the challenger.

I was meaning the charger because its considerd a B- Body correct?

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Fleet cars are just that, Fleets that went to the heap after being abused by Taxi, Law enforcement and government bodies. Just take a look at the Clint Eastwood classic "The Enforcer" and that car is a '74.

 

[Cop car wagon]

Welcome to the world of no parts 4drs.
The door skin listed is for a 2dr, and different years.
The dent is reparable. I have doors, but am too far away for economy.
Time to weld a tab to pull the dent over center, then a stud gun can weld tabs to move the metal.
The safety door beam probably won't give you enough room for the inflater trick.
(As I stare inside this door)

 

[Mod1243]

Welcome to the world of no parts 4drs.
The door skin listed is for a 2dr, and different years.
The dent is reparable. I have doors, but am too far away for economy.
Time to weld a tab to pull the dent over center, then a stud gun can weld tabs to move the metal.
The safety door beam probably won't give you enough room for the inflater trick.
(As I stare inside this door)

View attachment 1867759

So sad, im gonna get some quotes on a body shop to repair it, im not super knowledgeable about it but if its unreasonable ill figure somthing out.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Hey at this point try to knock it out from the inside like others said. What's the harm in trying and learning, you might surprise yourself.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

If the car is solid as you say, it's a solid investment to keep it.
I bought mine from the original owners and the car is solid. Just one spot on the lower front fender that needs attention, other than that, it's a keeper. They are really cool cars that strike up fond memories in everyone.
Mine is a factory AC, 318ci, light group car. I've got all the paperwork, dealer care pamphlets, built sheet and all.

 

[Mod1243]

If the car is solid as you say, it's a solid investment to keep it.
I bought mine from the original owners and the car is solid. Just one spot on the lower front fender that needs attention, other than that, it's a keeper. They are really cool cars that strike up fond memories in everyone.
Mine is a factory AC, 318ci, light group car. I've got all the paperwork, dealer care pamphlets, built sheet and all.

Yeah its super sold, Runs and drives great. Got to address a transmission leak and a power steering leak but it seems I can source any mechanical part pretty easy and im much more experienced in that front.

I love the car and plan to keep it. Just gonna take the time to figure it out!

Parts im looking for:
Taillight housings
Mirror
Some pieces of interior trim

 

[fullmetaljacket]

For whatever its worth, now I am in the market for a new front bumper. Mine just got torn outward while it was parked by someone that wasn't looking properly to their blind side. Such is life in big cities.
I just looked at a '73 Charger front bumper and it is different for sure. Bummer.

 

[Mod1243]

For whatever its worth, now I am in the market for a new front bumper. Mine just got torn outward while it was parked by someone that wasn't looking properly to their blind side. Such is life in big cities.
I just looked at a '73 Charger front bumper and it is different for sure. Bummer.

Sorry dude, really is hard to keep these cars together when others cant respect the history and value of them.

 

[OneWheelPeel]

Could also grab a plunger and some wd40 to help it seal and give it a yank, long shot but probably a free experiment. Could get lucky.

 

[Mod1243]

Sorry dude, really is hard to keep these cars together when others cant respect the history and value of them.

Metal is too thick to use a suction cup to pull it out. Talked to the local body shop and he said he could get it fixed for 400$

 

[fullmetaljacket]

This was my Fathers day surprise.
While we're at it, can this be bent back using heat and some force. Any ideas?

 

[493 Mike]

Do you have any bumper exchanges near you? Any I have delt with can repair bumpers as well as replate them.
Mike