Thanks to its full-size portfolio, Chevrolet dominated the late 1950s. Impala and Bel Air helped GM reclaim the top spot from Ford after many years of Ford dominance.
The Coronet was Dodge’s major rival, but for those who cherished the moniker, bad news arrived in the final years of the decade.
After the 1959 model year, the Coronet was discontinued by the manufacturer, which was unexpected given how well the vehicle was still selling. Despite this, the 1959 Coronet is still a very sought-after car, particularly given the engine choices offered for this particular model year.
Dodge introduced a brand-new 383 on the Coronet, pushing the maximum power rating to 345 horsepower thanks to two four-barrel carburetors. A 4-barrel configuration was also available with 320 horsepower.
A 1959 Coronet that made its way to eBay earlier this week doesn’t come with a 383, with the owner believing the mysterious unit under the hood is a 318. The engine is free and turns over by hand, so it’s not seized from sitting. This Coronet looks like it’s been sitting for many years, so the engine still showing signs of life is good news for a potential restoration.
The same family owned the car since it was new, but it looks like it’s been parked for decades. Such a vehicle should normally come with rust on the floors and in the trunk, but the owner says the metal damage is still very limited. The trunk floor will need some work, and the rear floor pan should be good to go with a simple patch.
The occasional spot of rust doesn’t seem to be a cause for alarm, but I’d still lift the car to check the undercarriage. The paintwork, which the owner claims is still original, is the real showpiece. A true connoisseur or collector would want a full respray, especially if they aspire for a tip-top shape, even though the beige finish has withstood the test of time.
The car has 78,000 miles (125,500 km) on the odometer, which might mean that it has never been restored. It’s likely that the car contains everything, including an entirely original, undamaged, and complete package that transforms the Coronet into a survivor in need of a full repair.
Their expectation is optimistic, especially considering the non-working engine, but if everything else is still original and nothing big is missing, the car should be worth a full inspection.