66 Coronet 500, filler project

[fesser]

I have been working on a 68 Coronet R/T for a while, and it is safe to say the project has stalled due to several factors including needing some body work done that I don't feel I have the skills to tackle. I had a 66 500 in the late 70's and have been wanting to find another, primarily to use as a driver type project while the 68 project creeps along. In the summer (2025) I saw this car being advertised on FB...

It was pretty much missing everything you don't see in the pictures, including the engine and transmission. At first the asking price kept me from inquiring about the car, but after a couple of price drops I reached out to the seller. It turns out the seller has a small body shop, and had the car at his shop for several years before doing the lien sale paperwork. We agreed on a price to buy the car and a price for him to paint it (just a regular, get color on it, no show car, paint job). When I was looking for a 66, paint wasn't something I planned to do since I wanted to have a driver on a low budget, but the price we agreed on was too good not to go forward on. We struck a deal in late October. Paint was supposed to take about a month. But, as usually happens, it took a bit longer. I picked up the car last week and am very happy with the paint.

During the paint process I made a limited search for 500 fender emblems but the only ones I could find were priced higher than I was willing to go. I also didn't want to run the hood scoop (scoop already claimed by a friend) so I decided to go mostly emblem free. I intend to run the vent things on the back fenders, and the Pentastar on the passenger front fender, but removed everything else.

Now comes the hard part. Trying to get everything I need to put it together; while reminding myself it is just supposed to be a driver, and without breaking the bank. More to come.

 

[Aron Gleason]

Looks like a good project. Congratulations on the purchase

 

[luvthyapril]

Nice start, that color looks great on it. What engine/ trans combo are you planning?

 

[ckessel]

My 67 wagon would look cool with one of those SS scoops. I'll leave it alone though.

 

[fesser]

Nice start, that color looks great on it. What engine/ trans combo are you planning?

A while ago I bought a stroked 400 (451) from a local speed shop after a 440 block I brought in turned out to be full of cracks. The 400 was dyno'd and makes over 500 lbs of torque pretty early and for a pretty good while. I was originally going to run it in my 68 Coronet R/T project, but the idea of putting a B block in the R/T bugged me since it would have came with an RB. So now, my plan is to run the 400 with a TCI 727 and a converter that was built to work with the R/T's specs in the 66. I actually plan to run any of the mechanical stuff I bought for the R/T on the 66 if it is a direct fit. I can't afford to buy parts for the 66 if I already have them on the shelf.

 

[fesser]

My 67 wagon would look cool with one of those SS scoops. I'll leave it alone though.

Your wagon looks awesome as is. I wouldn't change it. The scooped hood is going to a friend who I think plans to put it on a 66 Coronet wagon. He has been bringing it back from the dead and it looks cool like it is, but he likes scoops. I actually saw the wagon for sale before he got it and didn't pull the trigger on buying it. I reget it now though. As you know, wagons are cool.

 

[Aron Gleason]

I put a scoop on my 67 coronet to make it look like a super stock car.

 

[fesser]

I put a scoop on my 67 coronet to make it look like a super stock car.

View attachment 2011763

I like it. Love the color too. I think that is my car's original color. I mainly planned to try to make it look like the one I had in high school (which was silver, no scoop). I have already strayed from that plan when I decided not to run all the fender emblems. I also had stock rims with wheel covers back in the day but I am not going to stick to those. I might keep a set though just for the heck of it. What size tires and wheels are you running on yours? They look great.

 

[ckessel]

I put a scoop on my 67 coronet to make it look like a super stock car.

View attachment 2011763

Do something like that with a surprise under the hood. /6 powered!

 

[Aron Gleason]

I like it. Love the color too. I think that is my car's original color. I mainly planned to try to make it look like the one I had in high school (which was silver, no scoop). I have already strayed from that plan when I decided not to run all the fender emblems. I also had stock rims with wheel covers back in the day but I am not going to stick to those. I might keep a set though just for the heck of it. What size tires and wheels are you running on yours? They look great.

15x7 in front with 225/70/15.
15x8 in rear with 275/60/15

 

[Runcharger]

Looks good: It takes most project cars 20 years to get to the point this one is at. My advice is to shop for a complete car with a bad body for all the missing bits.

 

[fesser]

15x7 in front with 225/70/15.
15x8 in rear with 275/60/15

Nice. I didn't think the 275's would fit. The more I try researching it the more conflicting information I find. Do you recall the backspace on those rear wheels?

 

[Aron Gleason]

Nice. I didn't think the 275's would fit. The more I try researching it the more conflicting information I find. Do you recall the backspace on those rear wheels?

5 inch backspace. I had to roll the inner wheel lip. And I also put in super stock leaf springs. Theres people that claim that size wont fit. But I used some wheel spacers to figure out what I needed, then had the backspacing redone on them. And the tires dont rub unless I turn hard.

 

[fesser]

Looks good: It takes most project cars 20 years to get to the point this one is at. My advice is to shop for a complete car with a bad body for all the missing bits.

I keep looking. I did buy a four door parts car, but it is limited on what it can donate to the two door.

I already traded the trunk lid for a 66 console and two 66 buckets. The buckets are pretty trashed but the tracks are correct and in good shape.

 

[65CopCar]

I already traded the trunk lid for a 66 console and two 66 buckets. The buckets are pretty trashed but the tracks are correct and in good shape.

You are very lucky. Those seat tracks are getting very hard to find.

 

[ckessel]

I keep looking. I did buy a four door parts car, but it is limited on what it can donate to the two door.View attachment 2012510

I already traded the trunk lid for a 66 console and two 66 buckets. The buckets are pretty trashed but the tracks are correct and in good shape.

What seat is in the front on the more door? Also, did that car get shoulder belts?

 

[fesser]

What seat is in the front on the more door? Also, did that car get shoulder belts?

Rat infested, rusty bench. No on Shoulder belts on either. At least nothing left on the car to indicate that it had shoulder belts.

 

[ckessel]

I'm on the hunt for springs. The butt and back areas of the wagon's bench seat have dead springs. I may be able to harvest springs out of my, never going to use rear seat, 65 Coronet. Not sure if they would be 100% useable in that area. What shape are they in on that seat?

 

[fesser]

I'm on the hunt for springs. The butt and back areas of the wagon's bench seat have dead springs. I may be able to harvest springs out of my, never going to use rear seat, 65 Coronet. Not sure if they would be 100% useable in that area. What shape are they in on that seat?

I haven't sat in what's left of the 4 door's seat because I am not sure if my tetanus shot is up to date. I will take a look later today. I know that the padding and upholstery is mostly rotted away so it might be easier to see the spring's condition.