How about a million-dollar Dodge Coronet?

mechmike0034 · 10-12-2005, 08:29 AM

This is the rarest factory Hemi car of all - I bet it'll either get close to or break a million bucks. Documented Hemi 'Cudas are at half-a-million...

http://www.mecumauction.com/auctions...D=CH1005-30423

Quote:

"This is the Worlds rarest 426-Hemi car. Between 1964-1971, approximately 11,000 cars were factory produced with the 426-Hemi option. All of those cars, whatever year, make or model, were two door cars (including the less than 200 convertibles), except for four cars. This is one of those cars, a 4-door hemi car. Two were special ordered by American customers, and the other two were exported (one to Canada, the other to Finland). This is one of two ordered American cars. The other ordered American car resides in the Don Garlits Museum in Florida.

Galen Govier Inspected, certified and listed in Chrysler Registry, this car retains its original Engine, Transmission, Build Sheet, Certicard and Window Sticker. Further documentation includes the original Title and original D.M.V receipts for registration and title fees paid in 1966"

johnnymk · 10-12-2005, 09:50 AM

Some of the homeliest cars ever were produced by Chrysler Corp. during the early to mid sixties. Who would have thought in their wildest dreams that MOPARS would bring this kind of money?

DarkFury · 10-12-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnymk

Some of the homeliest cars ever were produced by Chrysler Corp. during the early to mid sixties. Who would have thought in their wildest dreams that MOPARS would bring this kind of money?

They were homely... but they had heart.

And that engine struck MAJOR FEAR into the competition.

WhiskeyPapa · 10-12-2005, 01:18 PM

At what point did the owner of this ugly thing realize they had a goldmine? Did they know immediately, or was it driven as a "normal" car for a few years?

I'm assuming since it still has the original window sticker and DMV receipts, they must have had some idea early on...

DarkFury · 10-12-2005, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskeyPapa

At what point did the owner of this ugly thing realize they had a goldmine? Did they know immediately, or was it driven as a "normal" car for a few years?

I'm assuming since it still has the original window sticker and DMV receipts, they must have had some idea early on...

Maybe he was clued in to it being "1 of 4 ever built"... and just made sure to keep it pristine.

Hell... if someone gives you a 1 of 4 anything today, I'd recommend that you hold on to it with all of your might.

tupacboy · 10-12-2005, 02:18 PM

jay leno would buy it i bet... i wouldn't...

mechmike0034 · 10-12-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tupacboy

jay leno would buy it i bet... i wouldn't...

Leno really is a no-bs, dyed in the wool, getcher hands dirty and get down to it car guy who works on his own stuff when he has time. He supported himself turning wrenches back in the day - he was a mechanic until he broke out enough to be able to make a living doing stand-up comedy.

He buys, and builds what he likes. He doesn't buy cars speculating that they'll go up in value so he can flip them at a profit. He's already got more money than he'll ever spend. A collection of cars that he likes means ten times more to him than what any money he could make does.

Believe me, I'll bet he knew of that Hemi long before the sale was publicized. If he wanted it, he'd already own it.

WhiskeyPapa · 10-13-2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

Maybe he was clued in to it being "1 of 4 ever built"... and just made sure to keep it pristine.

I just wonder if he knew it was "1 of 4". According to the description, the only thing that makes it so unique is that it's a four-door. Heck, the old guy probably just thought four doors would make it easier to get the kids in...

DarkFury · 10-13-2005, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskeyPapa

I just wonder if he knew it was "1 of 4". According to the description, the only thing that makes it so unique is that it's a four-door. Heck, the old guy probably just thought four doors would make it easier to get the kids in...

That why I said that... maybe someone told him...

"Hey man... this car is pretty unique cause we don't normally make these in a 4 door... you might wanna hold on to that paperwork, etc.... "

Pretty much such a small detail is the difference in having a car worth $30K and 1 mill.

Just like my T-Bird.... what if someone had one with "4 doors" from the factory. That might be a collector's item cause I've never seen one with 4 doors... however with the car above, it having an original HEMI sure doesn't hurt it's value now that "Hemi fever" is back amongst the Mopar fans.

mechmike0034 · 10-13-2005, 03:34 PM

The Mecum site implies that it was special-ordered by a run-of-the-mill customer. I don't think someone walked into a Dodge store and special-ordered it. My guess is that it was built for a Chrysler executive or employee that could get the right order codes to make the combination of Hemi and four-door happen. That would also explain both the rarity and the fact that the car's still around. If it were sold "out of the family", so to speak, some drag racer would probably have yanked that motor out to put it in something else long ago.

I'd love to know the full story behind it.

attgig · 10-13-2005, 03:38 PM

exactly. you don't exactly go to the dealership and get yourself a four door viper. if there's only been 4 of these babies made, he knew what he was getting was rare. he's just cashing in while Dodge is advertising hemi's like crazy.

mechmike0034 · 10-13-2005, 03:43 PM

Here's an example of a Leno purchase:

http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/press/050519.html

johnnymk · 10-13-2005, 05:58 PM

In the sixties, special ordering a car was extremely common. As a matter of fact, among street racers, it was the norm. Power steering and A/C were options which are taken for granted today.

And if I recall, the Hemi option was less than $1000.

Four door street racers were practically unheard of back then. If you showed up at the local drive-in malt shop with a four door, the local guys would probably ask you if your mama let you use her car for the evening.

So I can't figure what this guy was thinking when he bought it, whether he wanted a sleeper or he was just a little weird.

In the long run, though he made a very wise investment.

WhiskeyPapa · 10-14-2005, 09:52 AM

That also makes me wonder... Do we know this is being sold by the original owner? Perhaps the original owner sold it for $3,000 back in 1971 and is kicking himself right now!

mechmike0034 · 10-14-2005, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskeyPapa

That also makes me wonder... Do we know this is being sold by the original owner? Perhaps the original owner sold it for $3,000 back in 1971 and is kicking himself right now!

Troof! Like I said, I'd love to know the whole story. I emailed the posted link to Rich Ceppos at Autoweek magazine, as they do a weekly feature article on classics and another each week on a particular collector auction car. Perhaps they'll find it a worthy subject for some research and an article.

Or, their spam filter could have gotten my email - who knows?

mechmike0034 · 10-18-2005, 09:58 PM

I am told this car was a "no sale" with a high bid in the $650K range.

DarkFury · 10-18-2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechmike0034

I am told this car was a "no sale" with a high bid in the $650K range.

Wow... a no sale for $650,000? Geez...

That's alot of clams for someone to say.... "Nah... not enough..." Especially considering the initial investment.

10-12-2005, 01:18 PM	#4
WhiskeyPapa Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: 45° 11' 35" North Latitude, 95° 8' 37" West Longitude Posts: 3,427	At what point did the owner of this ugly thing realize they had a goldmine? Did they know immediately, or was it driven as a "normal" car for a few years? I'm assuming since it still has the original window sticker and DMV receipts, they must have had some idea early on... __________________

10-13-2005, 03:38 PM	#11
attgig Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: the burbs of baltimore Posts: 11,924	exactly. you don't exactly go to the dealership and get yourself a four door viper. if there's only been 4 of these babies made, he knew what he was getting was rare. he's just cashing in while Dodge is advertising hemi's like crazy. __________________

10-13-2005, 05:58 PM	#13
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	In the sixties, special ordering a car was extremely common. As a matter of fact, among street racers, it was the norm. Power steering and A/C were options which are taken for granted today. And if I recall, the Hemi option was less than $1000. Four door street racers were practically unheard of back then. If you showed up at the local drive-in malt shop with a four door, the local guys would probably ask you if your mama let you use her car for the evening. So I can't figure what this guy was thinking when he bought it, whether he wanted a sleeper or he was just a little weird. In the long run, though he made a very wise investment. __________________ “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” (Winston Churchill)

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10-12-2005, 09:50 AM	#2
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	Some of the homeliest cars ever were produced by Chrysler Corp. during the early to mid sixties. Who would have thought in their wildest dreams that MOPARS would bring this kind of money?

10-12-2005, 02:18 PM	#6
tupacboy Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: May 2000 Location: border of oc and la Posts: 2,382	jay leno would buy it i bet... i wouldn't...

10-13-2005, 03:34 PM	#10
mechmike0034 aka the keg killer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ala-effin'-bama! Posts: 2,738	The Mecum site implies that it was special-ordered by a run-of-the-mill customer. I don't think someone walked into a Dodge store and special-ordered it. My guess is that it was built for a Chrysler executive or employee that could get the right order codes to make the combination of Hemi and four-door happen. That would also explain both the rarity and the fact that the car's still around. If it were sold "out of the family", so to speak, some drag racer would probably have yanked that motor out to put it in something else long ago. I'd love to know the full story behind it.

10-13-2005, 03:43 PM	#12
mechmike0034 aka the keg killer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ala-effin'-bama! Posts: 2,738	Here's an example of a Leno purchase: http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/press/050519.html

10-14-2005, 09:52 AM	#14
WhiskeyPapa Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: 45° 11' 35" North Latitude, 95° 8' 37" West Longitude Posts: 3,427	That also makes me wonder... Do we know this is being sold by the original owner? Perhaps the original owner sold it for $3,000 back in 1971 and is kicking himself right now!

10-18-2005, 09:58 PM	#16
mechmike0034 aka the keg killer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ala-effin'-bama! Posts: 2,738	I am told this car was a "no sale" with a high bid in the $650K range.

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