In response to the rising muscle car movement in the early '60s, Dodge responded in 1967 with the Coronet R/T, an attractive, high-performance package of the Coronet line. Arriving at the brink of the muscle car era, the Dodge Coronet R/T was among the countless alternatives for any power-thirsty gearhead.
As a high-performance variant, the Dodge Coronet R/T has a strong V8 engine, which easily makes 375 horsepower, as well as performance features such as heavy-duty suspension, and heavy-duty brakes. Also, the Dodge Coronet boasts one of the first Hemi engines. Thanks to its status and performance, the Coronet R/T took every other car down at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Today, the Coronet R/T is still remembered as one of the most powerful classic muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s and is highly regarded for its style, performance, and handling.
Here, we list 10 facts about the Dodge Coronet R/T that only gearheads know.
10 The Dodge Coronet R/T Packed A Robust V8 Powerplant
The first iterations of the standard Coronet packed a 140-horsepower Hemi engine, which was still a desirable power output at the time.
As a high-performance variant of the Coronet lineup, the Coronet R/T was powerfully propelled by the “Wedgehead” 440-ci Magnum V8 engine which delivered 375 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque.
With competing automakers upping their game, Dodge boosted the power output from 375 horsepower to 390 horsepower, giving the Coronet R/T a lot more authority on the dragstrip. This brings us to our next point.
9 The Dodge Coronet R/T Had Amazing Racing Capabilities
Like many muscle cars of this era, the Coronet R/T became a popular car for drag racers. Even though the R/T packed fire under the hood, a lot of these cars underwent extensive modifications before hitting the racetrack.
Standard with the strong V8 engine was the TorqueFlite automatic transmission, an enhanced suspension system with heavy-duty shocks, torsion bars, front sway bar, and springs. To keep all the horses in check, the Coronet R/T came with heavy-duty brakes.
Throughout its years, the Coronet R/T achieved success on the track. A lot of available models today have the original performance-enhancement features, as well as racing stripes.
8 The Dodge Coronet R/T Was Available As A Scat Pack Model And As Texas Special
Along with the Charger and the Coronet Super Bee; the Coronet R/T also became part of the Scat Pack. The Scat Pack model came with special stripes around the tail, as well as its own insignia.
A while after joining the Scat Pack, a redneck version of the Coronet also emerged, which was a 1956 Texas special model. This unique model came with a more luxurious trim, finished with Texan badging that oozed a cowboy vibe.
7 The Dodge Coronet R/T Outsold The Charger
The Coronet R/T was an exciting muscle car right off the bat. Coming in a 2-door setup (which was pretty popular back then), the Coronet R/T rose to the top of the muscle car chart.
Initially, its body had a more compact build, but later on, Dodge lengthened the body of the Coronet R/T, making it longer than the standard Coronets.
Eventually, the Coronet outsold the brand’s Charger, another car that proved its muscle in the late '60s. In the end, the Coronet left a crowning legacy for the brand. A legacy carried on by the Charger itself.
6 The Dodge Coronet R/T Has A Unique Design
In a pool of '60s and '70s muscle cars, one thing that made the Dodge Coronet R/T stand out above the rest was the distinctive design. Its exterior appeal featured a long hood and short deck.
Thanks to the coupe-like rear end, the R/T had a sportier outlook, with long lines matching the ’60s and early ’70s trends.
5 The R/T Designation In The Coronet Nameplate Had A Special Meaning
It was with the performance-oriented trim that the Dodge nameplate was further popularized in the muscle car field.
Along with the strong Hemi engines and other performance components, the high-powered trim brought a new R/T extension to the Coronet name, which simply stood for Road/Track – a perfect demonstration of what the Coronet was.
4 The Dodge Coronet R/T Wore Other Hats
Before the R/T model came into the picture, the standard Coronet was largely considered the swankiest model in Dodge’s fleet from the 1949 debut. And through the years, the Coronet came in several faces and wore other hats.
Besides taking over the racing scene, a lot of Coronet R/T models served in other industries too. For instance, it served as a Taxi, before joining law enforcement as a police squad car alongside the more popular larger Polara.
3 The Dodge Coronet R/T Came In Limited Numbers
As we mentioned earlier, the Coronet R/T was only produced from 1966 through 1970, which was a limited time when compared to other production muscle cars.
During that period, Dodge produced about 10,000 units. Of all these, only about 125 models had the 6.5-liter Hemi.
Due to its limited production period, the Dodge Coronet R/T is among the rarest and most highly sought-after cars among enthusiasts today.
2 The Dodge Coronet R/T Was Also Available As A Two-Door Convertible
Aside from the 2-door hardtop, the Coronet R/T came in a convertible shape, which was a good option for anyone who needed a more stylish R/T. For its first 2 years, the style was largely ordinary, with squared-off lines that blended in well with the then-current automotive scene.
After receiving a cool makeover in 68’, the convertible trim brought a newer and sportier design and had a deluxe steering wheel as well as redline tires.
If desired, the dealer would throw in special racing stripes too. It also came with comfort and convenience features such as bucket seats and full-wheel covers, which added a flair to the overall look.
1 The Dodge Coronet R/T Can Fetch High Prices At Auction
Being among the most sort after classic muscle cars of this era, the Dodge Coronet R/T has become a collectible among muscle car enthusiasts.
While the Coronet R/T isn’t widely available as, say, the classic Camaro, there are still many Coronet R/Ts out there, some on the road and others preserved in a thriving community of classic car collectors.
Priced at just above $3,000, about $400 more than the standard Coronet, the R/T proved to be extremely popular. Today, the average price of a 1966 – 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T is around $59,921, according to Classic. Expect the well-preserved garage queens to cost upwards of $247,500.