rmchrgr
Well-Known Member
I was on the Hutchinson River Parkway in Westchester, NY the other day and came up next to this '73 Coronet 4 door dressed up like a cop car. This thing sounded pretty good too, definitely a big block rumble. (note the R/T badge on the trunk) After a few miles, they turned off at an exit behind me and I caught a glimpse of the front end of it in the mirror - man, it actually looked downright mean. With the long hood and tunnel grill it definitely has muscle car bones. The plush police dog cracked me up.
Anyway, seeing this thing out in the wild piqued my interest enough to contemplate what a 2 door might look like. Later on when I got home, I searched "1973 Coronet 2 door" and was surprised to find the answer to that query in the image below. I'm guessing someone did a masterful "Photoshop" job here but the rendering does look like it was out of an actual brochure. Was a '73 2 door Coronet actually a concept at same point? Whether it was or wasn't, I like it, it's slick. I also like it better than the later, bloated '75-up 2 door models.
Knowing the supply of good, 2 door project cars is dwindling, 4 doors are starting to look like gold. I'm not really a fan of them myself but I know more doors have a following and I can certainly understand the appeal. It's definitely a more affordable way to get into an older car. Plus, they were built on the same platform as our beloved performance versions so any modifications can generally be adapted in the same manner.
But due to what I perceive as their somewhat lower value, perhaps it might be acceptable to take some liberties with them? Like - has anyone thought about or tried to convert a '73 Coronet 4 door into a 2 door? I know it can be done 'relatively easily' on early B bodies but beyond the 4 door 'Cuda concept, I don't think I've ever seen a later 4-door body converted into a 2 door. I know it wouldn't be "worth it" really but that's not what this is about - I'm just thinking out loud about a what-if concept.
In this particular instance, the squarish C pillar/roof line would seem to lend itself more to a post sedan more than a hard top. Trying to graft the much more radical Charger roof onto one of these bodies might not work so well aesthetically. The B pillar could be moved rearwards but making the doors/skins look like they are factory parts would be dificult to accomplish because of the body lines. My guess is one would have to play with the B pillar position and then add part of the rear door to the rear of the front door. You'd probably need custom door panels when finished but that's detail stuff.
So whadya all think? Cool? Dorky?
Discuss.
Anyway, seeing this thing out in the wild piqued my interest enough to contemplate what a 2 door might look like. Later on when I got home, I searched "1973 Coronet 2 door" and was surprised to find the answer to that query in the image below. I'm guessing someone did a masterful "Photoshop" job here but the rendering does look like it was out of an actual brochure. Was a '73 2 door Coronet actually a concept at same point? Whether it was or wasn't, I like it, it's slick. I also like it better than the later, bloated '75-up 2 door models.
Knowing the supply of good, 2 door project cars is dwindling, 4 doors are starting to look like gold. I'm not really a fan of them myself but I know more doors have a following and I can certainly understand the appeal. It's definitely a more affordable way to get into an older car. Plus, they were built on the same platform as our beloved performance versions so any modifications can generally be adapted in the same manner.
But due to what I perceive as their somewhat lower value, perhaps it might be acceptable to take some liberties with them? Like - has anyone thought about or tried to convert a '73 Coronet 4 door into a 2 door? I know it can be done 'relatively easily' on early B bodies but beyond the 4 door 'Cuda concept, I don't think I've ever seen a later 4-door body converted into a 2 door. I know it wouldn't be "worth it" really but that's not what this is about - I'm just thinking out loud about a what-if concept.
In this particular instance, the squarish C pillar/roof line would seem to lend itself more to a post sedan more than a hard top. Trying to graft the much more radical Charger roof onto one of these bodies might not work so well aesthetically. The B pillar could be moved rearwards but making the doors/skins look like they are factory parts would be dificult to accomplish because of the body lines. My guess is one would have to play with the B pillar position and then add part of the rear door to the rear of the front door. You'd probably need custom door panels when finished but that's detail stuff.
So whadya all think? Cool? Dorky?
Discuss.
