66' Coronet ragtop, power adder, 426 HEMI

These are a few pics of my ongoing 66' Coronet convertable project. I have owned several Mopars and enjoyed them all. But I wanted a HEMI and I wanted a convertable. I found the car in 07' and it appeared to be in pretty good shape. It was a 318 LA motor, 904 auto on the column. It showed just 68,000 on the odometer.

I began collecting parts right away, K frame, Dana 60, HEMI and etc. all could be built seperately while I continued to enjoy the car. I intended to build a mild engine but found a mega block, 4.5" Callies crank, Diamond coated pistons etc. for the same as used stock parts. I ended up with 540 ci and 635 HP with a mild cam.

Of course last summer in the body shop turned up all kinds of unpleasant suprises, I am shure many of you have been there, but finally the car was solid and straight.

I brought the bare painted body shell home in March and began installing all the sub assemblies that I had been working on for three years.

I attempted to maintain the stock 66' appearance, like a second year car that had received headers, intake and carbs etc.

The dash and steering wheel presented a big challenge. I have seen very few 66 Coronets with new appearing dash plastic. I did take liberty with the speedo and installed a 67' R/T 150 mph unit. I had Mopar friends argue that wood wheel options were not available until 68' my original sales brochure showed one and I lucked up on one on E Bay.
The steering wheel repair supplies all came from Ace Hardware! If you like my hand painted version of wood grain,,,,

I am fortunate to have some very talented freinds in the local Mopar community. One of them is a great painter. I have assembled most of the car alone in my basement, but I did NOT attempt to paint a black car!

The sheet metal is painted, waiting for the rubber to arrive before installing it. Then it will go to interior. Black top and Bright Red guts.

looking pretty sweet there. cant wait to see some more!!

Thanks! It might be awhile, it took almost four years to get this far! LOL.
I hope to paint the convertable top frame this weekend. With it installed, I can finish the insulation on the floor. Then hang the sheet metal and take it to the interior shop.

Beautiful car, I own a 66 Coronet 500 hardtop project status, thanks for th pics, nice motivator to get going on my car!

Arvid Svendsen

Good luck on your project. It takes a lot of determination to come home from work and go to your "second job". LOL. I try to make progress every week if not every evening. I also concentrate on one part of the project at a time.
For instance. I bought a complete K-frame first. I worked on it until I had every part the way I wanted it, even the Firm Feel steering box. I didn't worry about or work on any other part of the car until it was completely finished. Then the Dana rear, etc.

When I brought the car home from the body shop, I had the K-frame, rear end, trans, engine, heater core and dash completed and ready to go into the car. This also helps spread the expenses out, yet gives you satisfaction that a part of the car is finished.

Hope that helps.

Looks great! I may have mine resprayed someday, the paint on it is more than 30 years old. I think these are really neat Hemi cars and they represent what it really was all about. All engine with no stripes, scoops or other stuff to gum up the concept.

Sheldon

Thanks. It looks like you have an original HEMI car, am I right? I had to settle for a "clone,tribute,resto-mod". My car was originally a 318.
The good part is I could personalize things and not ruin a super valuable car. Like the trim, I removed all of the emblems for a cleaner look. Kinda of like you said, no stripes etc. I have the wheel well opening trim and rocker moulding but have not installed it yet. I am still considering it. What do you think?
Your car looks great with 30 year old paint. Tell me more about it.

Rag: Yes mine is an original Hemicar but I drive it more than most people drive their 318 cars. Personally I think the rocker trim and wheelwell trim will standout with the black paint and I'd put them on if it was mine. What wheels are you going to run?

Sheldon