Rare Rides: The 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T Hemi Convertible
The model line that ultimately culminated in this beast of a muscle car has its genesis back in the post-war auto-manufacturing boom and had two-distinct periods comprised of seven generations of designs.
Coronet translates to “Little Crown.” It was first introduced as a full-sized model in 1949.
For the 1970 model year, the Coronet’s front end was bequeathed a new look on all trim levels. The new design consisted of twin oval grilles colloquially known as “Bumblebee Wings” that encompassed the quad-headlights. The restyle resulted in what modern collectors and enthusiasts consider to be the most-iconic version of the Coronet.
The R/T was the choicest high-performance trim level, with the aforementioned raised-block 440 Magnum, 4-barrel V8 as the base engine. The 390hp 440 Six-Pack V8 (with three 2-barrel carbs) and 426 Elephant were also optional motors.
Power was transmitted to the rear via a standard-equipment three-speed 727 Torqueflite automatic with the shift lever located on the column or on the floor in an optional console. The A-833 four-speed manual was available as a “no-charge” option as well.
440 cars with the TorqueFlite came with an 8 3/4-inch axle assembly with a 2.94 or optional 3.23 final drive. Hemi automatics came standard with the 3.23. Four-speed versions received a larger 9 3/4-inch Sure-Grip with a 3.54:1 ratio.
Suspension on the R/T consisted of the heavy-duty Torsion-Aire package with a thicker front torsion and anti-roll bar than lesser trims, and beefed up leafs in the rear. One-inch hydraulic shock absorbers made their home at all four corners.
Dodge engineers blessed these powerhouse Coronets with a standard hydraulic drum brake system with 11×3-inch fronts and 11×2.5-inch rears. Power-assisted drums were optional as were vented front discs with 11-inch rotors.
Wheels consisted of stamped-steel, 14-inch units with “dog-dish” hubcaps wrapped in F70 whitewall or red stripe tires on 440 cars. Hemi-equipped Coronets received 15-inch wheels with F70 red stripe tires. All R/Ts could be outfitted with optional Magnum 500 wheels.
The R/T received additional external adornments including dummy rear-fender scoops with R/T badging. It was also repeated on the car’s nose and in-between the twin, segmented taillights. A contrasting “Bumblebee” stripe also circled the car’s rear deck and trailing end of the rear quarter panels. A power bulge hood was standard on 440 cars. Hemi cars commanded Ramcharger-style twin-scoop induction.
The R/T came standard with vinyl bucket seats up front, color-keyed interior carpeting, and a horizontal 150 mph speedometer.
The Rarest Of The Rare:
Despite all of these options, R/T’s did not fly off showroom floors. This can be attributed to the controversially styled front end and declining consumer interest in the Coronet in general. Only 2,615 Coronet R/Ts were produced for the entire model year. Of those, only 296 cars were convertibles, and shockingly only two were Hemi-equipped, making the 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T Hemi Convertible possibly the rarest muscle car ever made.
The other car was dressed in the unusual and rare FT6 Dark Tan Metallic paint with a white Bumblebee stripe, a matching dark tan interior, and a white convertible top.
This 4-speed car also had the Ramcharger hood with Hemi call-outs and pins, and was outfitted with the 15-inch Rallye wheels, Super Track Pack, chrome passenger-side mirror, power windows, power steering, woodgrain floor console with Hurst pistol grip shifter, vinyl front bucket seats, power front disc brakes, clock with “tic-toc” tach, and an AM radio with 8-track player.
The 4-speed car was subjected to a ground-up restoration for the owner by Mark Worman. It was extensively documented on his show Graveyard Carz. If you’re a fan of the show and Mark’s work, you know the car was brought back to a 100-point factory-correct condition.
While the 1970 Coronet was less than a hit at the time of its release, Dodge’s pain has been transformed in the past-50 years into a modern enthusiast’s gain. The two R/T Hemi convertibles are now considered amongst the most desirable muscle cars of the era, possibly of all time. Their estimated value of $1.5 million each certainly establishes them at the top of the heap of exclusive rare rides.
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