The Dodge Coronet is an interesting one because, technically, its production spans from 1949 all the way to 1976. There is, however, a bit of an asterisk associated with that claim. Dodge produced four different generations of the Coronet spanning model years 1949 to 1959. Initially, it was more of a standard-affair sedan, but it got a little muscle flavor towards the end. In 1959, Dodge gave it 295 horsepower courtesy of a V8. After that, though, the Coronet was discontinued until its triumphant return as a full-blown muscle car in 1965.
The new Coronet came in the form of a two-door beast with a pretty special 426 Hemi engine. It generated 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. Later, Dodge offered a Road/Track (R/T) and Super Bee trim level. Of course, these high-performance editions come with a premium price tag.
Finally, the sixth and final generation of the Coronet spanned the 1971 to 1976 model years. As with all American cars of the time, emissions regulations and the oil crisis watered down their performance. That doesn’t mean you can’t add modern power to one, though. The expansive Coronet lineup means there’s everything from classic ’50s styling and station wagons to true blue American muscle for you to choose from.
