David Maxwell Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 A friend of mine is considering trading one of his many 65-67 Mustangs for a 58 Dodge Coronet 2 door hardtop. He lives in Mexico and sent me a few pics. The car looks pretty nice in the pics, but he said it does need work. Very solid car that could be drivin "as is", but knowing him, he will want to bring up to more of a show quality. Anyhow, the seller suggested to him that it was worth $6500. Any thoughts? I'm going to do the usual vintage bluebook checks as well as ebay etc. but I'm sure those prices will be all over the board. It's really opinions I'm interested in more than asking prices which may be inflated. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kencombs Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 I drove one back in the day. Mine was a 4dr with a 60 Chrysler 413. Anyway, go to theforwardlook.net and browse/ask. I think you'll find it's well worth that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normspeed Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 I think it's a great looking car, great example of the days of fins, good color but maybe not original color? Comparing the fun factor he'd get for his $6500 compared to spending it at a car dealership, this sounds like a good deal to me. Had a high school buddy with one, and cruising in that was like riding on cloud 9. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm's Coupe Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 I agree with the other Norm. From the pictures alone, I'd say it's worth the $6500. 50's models 2 door hardtops in good condition go for good money. $6500 for that car as it looks, is probably a low price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Didn't Lou just recently purchase a 58 Dodge? You might P M him. Looks like a nice car in the pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbone Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Hi David, I have a '57 Lancer which cost considerably more than $6500 and was still a good deal. I also had a '58 Plymouth coupe, I rescued. Looking at the photos, the price is a steal - I can't quite make out the badge on the trunk but it looks like a D500 which is the rare performance model. The mechanicals on these cars are just as cheap to work with and are as robust as P15/D24 stuff. The real problem lies with rust, which can be rampant and interior trim (about $3500 for a refurb kit) and exterior trim which can be very difficult to get hold of. To me it looks like a bargain, these are great cars and are more advanced then contempory GM/Ford products of the period, not as well put together as our 40's MOPAR stuff, but still good. I wish I could add it to my stable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Maxwell Posted November 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 ...Thanks so much for the responses and insight. You each seem to match my gut feelings on this. The potential buyer is the husband of a former student of mine. They're a great young couple that love old cars. Her husband is currently selling his entire stable of 7 Mustangs. This is being done to make a major investment in his tile business. He loves all old cars, but Mustangs are his main interest. He is hoping to find one car to keep him in the hobby until his investment pays off and he can add more cars. Lately he has become interested in Mopars, in part because of my P15 and in part because he fell in love with the 58 Dodge on site. I will pass on the info. I hope he follows through with this purchase. If he dosen't, I might try and find a way to buy it though the cost of getting the car back home would be extreme. They are roughly 1700 miles from me and in another country to boot. Thanks again. If anyone has more input, please keep it coming. I don't think we can be over-informed on this one Hi David,I have a '57 Lancer which cost considerably more than $6500 and was still a good deal. I also had a '58 Plymouth coupe, I rescued. Looking at the photos, the price is a steal - I can't quite make out the badge on the trunk but it looks like a D500 which is the rare performance model. The mechanicals on these cars are just as cheap to work with and are as robust as P15/D24 stuff. The real problem lies with rust, which can be rampant and interior trim (about $3500 for a refurb kit) and exterior trim which can be very difficult to get hold of. To me it looks like a bargain, these are great cars and are more advanced then contempory GM/Ford products of the period, not as well put together as our 40's MOPAR stuff, but still good. I wish I could add it to my stable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 David, over on the HAMB, there is a fellow who goes by "Sled" who has been living in Mexico and hunting old cars for a while now. You might P M him to see what he can tell you about getting a car from there to here. Seems as if he once said it wasn't that big a deal. There's a long running thread as I recall about his adventures and findings. Or, you may already be familiar with him. Just a thought. Far as the 1700 miles -- just jump in the ol Dodge and drive it home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Maxwell Posted November 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 ...I've never really logged on to the HAMB, but I'll have to give that a try. Driving it home would be fun!! David, over on the HAMB, there is a fellow who goes by "Sled" who has been livingin Mexico and hunting old cars for a while now. You might P M him to see what he can tell you about getting a car from there to here. Seems as if he once said it wasn't that big a deal. There's a long running thread as I recall about his adventures and findings. Or, you may already be familiar with him. Just a thought. Far as the 1700 miles -- just jump in the ol Dodge and drive it home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireball Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 6500,- for that is a bargain anywhere in the world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 May want to check with member Lou, he has a pretty 58 Coronet with the 325 CID Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Up here in the Northeast Rust belt, these cars had a rep as being rust buckets. If you got 4 years with out major problems you were fortunate. I recall this being the case from 57 to about 62. Of course in the dry South east, this probably wasn't much of a concern. Problem areas here were eye brows over the head lamps, lower front fenders, rear wheel wells, and dog legs. and trunk area especially the spare tire carrier. Luckily those areas are easy to check either with a magnet or by reaching under to check for non metal repairs. Cars were unibody construction, torsion bar front suspension, notorously weak rear springs. And the pictured car loos like it might be so afflicted. The one in the picture doesn't look like it has the D 500 options which would feature prominent dual exhaust outlets. Trim looks to be mid level. Poly motors are reliable but parts are getting hard to find. Engine cubes could be all over the chart. Most likely an early push button torqueflite but could be powerflite also as they were still available with the smaller v8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kencombs Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Were not unibody. Full body on frame construction. I think the unibody may have started in 60, I know that 65 full size were a hybrid, stub frame bolted on to the unibody under the front floor with rubber isolators, but not sure exactly when that started. Just know for sure that my 57 ply, 58 ply and 59 Dodge had real frames. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I stand corrected. 1960 was the first year for unibody Dodges, and I presume Plmymouth also. I believe the bigger Chryslers and Imperials were still body on frame for a few more years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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