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should I buy? 71 coronet wagon

treys3832

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Hello, im a brand new member here and a high school student looking to get my first mopar (saving up this summer and can hopefully get it by the end of summer). Ive always been a car fan specifically a mopar one and ive always been searching around for a cool project car, and i think i may have found it. At a local salvage yard specializing in only classic cars i found a 1971 Dodge Coronet Crestwood Wagon. I know what people say about the wagons but i like it. It got a 383 2bbl 727 and 8 3/4. the engine turns over but no one at the yard has tried to start it. Being a southern car it has absolutely zero rust and is 100% complete, it looks as though it was parked expecting to be used the next day and never was. I know being a junkyard car i will have to go through pretty much eveything but i have a pretty good knowledge about cars and have been working on them since i can remember. So my question is specififcally is this something worthwhile, ive always loved wagons (the whole aspect of them is cool i think) and i like mopars, ive got the knowledge (between my father and I) to do any sort of work it would need, and the tools (good friend has garage that we have used to restore jeeps). They want 3k for it which seems high. One of the other questions i have is about parts for these, mechanically i know chrysler put the same engines transmissions and rear ends in in all their cars and the 383 has a bit of support from the aftermarket so it shouldnt be problem. what on these is interchangeable with other non wagon cars? being a b body is the suspension interchangeable with other non wagon bbodies? Thanks in advance and if you have any info at all let me know, the more i can learn about it the better.
 
I have a 72 Coronet. Most mechanical parts won't be too hard to find. Suspension parts same deal. Mancini Racing Classic Industeries, Jim's Mopar and others have parts for our cars. As far as body parts go you will have to get used. Places like CTC Autoranch brads nos, AMS obslete may have exterior items. If it's not rusted out I say go for it.
 
It got a 383 2bbl 727 and 8 3/4. the engine turns over but no one at the yard has tried to start it. Being a southern car it has absolutely zero rust and is 100% complete, it looks as though it was parked expecting to be used the next day and never was.

Based on that, I would buy it.
BTW ...welcome to FBBO :thumbsup:
 
Don't ask, do. Go get it! Whatever parts that a wagon has that a 4 dr. doesn't are going to be your hard parts to find. Good Luck
 
Alright awesome, sounds like its a go. im sure i will be back within the next few months posting about some problem lol. Thanks!
 
One more question, did these cars, being the b bodies of this era have any major flaws? im always reading about fords or chevys that had a fatal flaw that would cause them to be put away, but i dont hear much about mopars, maybe because they arnt as popular as the other brands. but with this wagon is there anything i should really look for as being a problem?
 
One more question, did these cars, being the b bodies of this era have any major flaws? im always reading about fords or chevys that had a fatal flaw that would cause them to be put away, but i dont hear much about mopars, maybe because they arnt as popular as the other brands. but with this wagon is there anything i should really look for as being a problem?
Ammeter circuit gets old and burns out, firewall connector to alternator also corrodes and heats up. Can be bypassed with new wire.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/ammeter-bypass-question.60392/
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/ammeter-decision.105765/#post-910384599
 
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Wagons are the equivalent of today's SUV.

Plenty of room for taking your friends and almost anything you might be tempted to impulse buy at Lowes or the junk yard.

There are "wagon specific" parts that can be hard to find, like tailgate hardware and the rear trim and lights, possibly the bumper. Interior panels for the cargo area are tough to locate. If it has a third seat, those cover's aren't reproduced.

Then there are the four door specific parts that are generally tougher to find than two door parts, but not as difficult as wagon parts.

After 1970, Mopar B body cars were completely different sheet metal wise between 2 door and 4 door.
Fenders and doors, hood, bumpers, etc are not interchangeable (but those are the same 4 door and wagon)

After 1970 the axle is much wider in the wagon.

I'm not sure about post 1970 but my 67 wagon takes different rear door gaskets than even a 4 door, and the rear doors are slightly different as well as the glass.

Then there are things that do interchange completely, such as the instrument cluster. You can put in a rally cluster with a tach if you want, and even buckets and a slap stick console.

A factory big block intermediate wagon is pretty cool.

Good luck and post pics.
 
only pic i have

Screen Shot 2016-05-20 at 11.01.03 PM.png
 
Nice Car! I remember, back in the day, commercials for those cars,"(Plymouth Satellite and Dodge Coronet) are the only 2 mid-size wagons that can carry a full 4' x 8' sheet of plywood flat on the floor and have a tail gate that opens 2 ways, out and down." That may have been an option but check yours, I hope it has that as it was useful. You also might not know it, but the entire front end of the Plymouth Satellite 4 door or wagon would most likely bolt right on yours also like YY1 said. Might also be the same basic body line for 72 thru 74 models. Also, take note. Look at those nice round rear fender wells; lots of room for some big wide rubber. Wagons tricked out are quite cool. I have seen some really cool wagons out there! Welcome! :thumbsup: By the way, where do you live? It looks like a decent looking green Dart next to the wagon!!!
 
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Thanks! i live in the dallas fort worth area. ive asked about the dart and its not for sale no title :(
 
As a Fort Worth native that picture looks a lot like CTC auto ranch! Love that place. 71-72 Coronets are my favorite mopar 4 door, and they are not that easy to find. But parts all interchange.
 
I like the look of them too. Hopefully she will be sitting in my driveway by the end of summer! I will defiantly update when I get it!
 
I gotta say thank you to everyone that responded to this thread, this forum and y'all have been so much more helpful than the other forum im apart of for my other hobby, vintage jet skis.
 
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