The Coronet was a full-size car from Dodge in the 1950s, initially the division's highest trim line but, starting in 1955, the lowest trim line. In the 1960s, the name was transferred to Dodge's mid-size entry.
1949
First Generation
Production 1949–1954
Body style(s)
2-door coupe
4-door sedan 4-door limousine {8 passenger}
The Dodge Coronet was introduced with the division's first postwar body styles. Lower trim lines were the Wayfarer and Meadowbrook. The only engine for Dodge was a 230 cubic inch flat-head straight six cylinder engine with a single barrel Stromberg carburetor, producing 103 horsepower (gross).
For 1953, the Coronet gained an optional 241 in³ Red Ram Hemi Engine and set over 100 land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Dodge Royal line was added above the Coronet in 1954. The stock Dodge Coronet was a smooth running car, and the six-cyclinder engine could power the car to 90+ miles per hour. A limited production model was a four-door, eight passenger limousine, an extended version of the stock Dodge Coronet. One of the most notable features of the first-generation Coronet was a three-speed, fluid-driven transmission that was operated by a foot pedal on the floor. It required no shifter.
1955
Second Generation
Production 1955–1959
Body style(s)
2-door coupe
4-door sedan
Engine(s) 230 L6
318 A
326 A
325 Red Ram
350 Windsor
361 Commando
The 1955 Coronet dropped to the lower end of the Dodge vehicle lineup, with the Wayfarer and Meadowbrook names no longer used and the Dodge Custom Royal added above the Dodge Royal. Power came from either a 230 in³ Chrysler Flathead engine straight-6 now producing 123 hp thanks to carburetion and other changes, or a 270 in³ V8 with dual rocker arms (the "Hemi"). A number of trim lines were available:
• 2 or 4-door station wagon — The Coronet wagon used the Suburban name and had the V8 or Six.
• hardtop coupé — The V8 Coronet Lancer
• 2- or 4-door sedan — V8 or Six
• 2-door sedan — V8 or Six
• 4-door, eight-passenger limousine
1958
The 1958 and 1959 Coronet, Royal, and Custom Royal used a DeSoto chassis but had less ornate trim. Power came from the 230 in³ "Getaway" L-head straight-6 or the 325 in³ "Red Ram" V8.
1965
Third Generation
Production 1965–1967
Body style(s)
2-door coupe
4-door sedan
Engine(s) 225 L6
273 LA
318 A
318 LA
361 B
383 Magnum
426 Hemi
440 Magnum
After a brief absence, the Coronet name was attached to the former fullsize models in 1965 to become Dodge's mid-sized car. It received a redesign in 1966, and a facelift in 1967. Larger, rebodied models emerged in 1968, with coke-bottle styling. A powerful 375 hp 440 model appeared for the 1967 Coronet R/T, upped to 390 hp with 3 2 barrel carburetors on the "Six Pak" version of 1969-1/2. Two-door hardtop and convertible models were part of the range.
1968
Super Bee rump stripe decal on the back of a 1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee.
A new Coronet model, officially known as the Coronet Super Bee (but often thought of as being a separate model), was introduced. In 1971, the Super Bee's final year, it was sold as the Charger Super Bee.
1969
The Coronet and similar Plymouth Belvedere were available for 1969 in 426-S muscle car trim. This included the famous 426 in³ (7.0 L) Hemi V8, producing 425 horsepower (net and gross). The 440 with a single four barrel was also available in this year. Rated at 375 hp (280 kW), the 440 could really produce 420 hp (313 kW).
1971
Fifth Generation
Production 1971–1973
Body style(s)
4-door sedan
Engine(s) 225 L6
318 LA
383 Magnum
B 400
440 Magnum
The new Coronet was a twin of the four-door Plymouth Satellite and featured more flowing styling. It was offered only as a sedan and station wagon, the related and also restyled Dodge Charger covering the coupe market. Slight alterations of the front grille, headlights, and taillights followed in 1972. Sales of the Coronet were fairly low from this point onwards, with around 80-90,000 produced each year through 1973 (compared with 196,242 as recently as 1968), due both to the fuel crisis and to a proliferation of Dodge and Plymouth models, and the growing effect of overlap with the other Chrysler Corporation brands.
1973
In addition to the usual changes in grille, lights, and interior, Dodge introduced its "TorsionQuiet" system of additional silencers and rubber vibration insulators, providing a much smoother ride and a quieter interior.
1974
The front and rear fascias were redesigned, most notably the rear bumper, which met the 1974 DOT requirements. The sedan bodystyle would be the basis of the later Coronets (and its twin, the Plymouth Fury) until the 1978 model year.
1975
In 1975, the cars received a freshening, with the body appearing squarer, and the Coronet coupe returned for a single year. The front fascia was redesigned with 2 round headlights, which was shared with its Plymouth Fury twin.
1976
1976 was the final year for the name; for the 1977 model year, Coronets were renamed Monaco – until then, the next Dodge up, on a larger body – and given stacked square headlights and other minor changes, which provided an immediate sales boost. The Royal Monaco model remained on the larger, former Monaco body. Another replacement for the Coronet was the Dodge Diplomat.
1980s
Dodge Coronet was used as a name for the Colombian-market Dodge Diplomat.