MIDSTATE MOPARS HIGHLIGHT - 1970 DODGE CORONET R/T - JUST CARS

Midstate Mopars highlight - 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T

Held annually over the Queen’s Birthday (now King’s Birthday) long weekend in Bendigo, Victoria, Midstate Mopars is a two-day event, with a cruise on Day 1, followed by a Show ‘n’ Shine on Day 2 that’s open to the public.

If there’s one guarantee at this all-Chrysler family show, it’s that you’ll see some exceptional examples of Mopar muscle – from both Australia and the USA. This year was no exception, with the Show ‘n’ Shine that fills the Bendigo Town Hall precinct featuring Chargers (Dodge and Valiant), Plymouth Road Runner and GTX hardtops, Chrysler 300s, Plymouth Barracudas, Dodge Challengers and more. A Dodge Coronet is much rarer here, though, especially the year and trim level pictured.

The Coronet went through several styling changes between its introduction in 1949 and discontinuation in 1976, but few were as distinctive as the restyle made for 1970. Exclusive to that model year, the ‘double loop’ front end design made the ’70 Coronet stand out and was reflected in the tail light treatment.

Dodge offered a range of Coronet variants across the model’s lifetime, including the 440, 500 and Deluxe. Performance versions included the Super Bee and R/T.

Added to the Coronet range for the 1967 model year, the R/T (Road and Track) came with a 440 V8 that was exclusive to this variant, but a 426 Hemi was optional, matched to either a four-speed manual or heavy-duty TorqueFlite three-speed auto. Heavy-duty suspension, wider tyres and larger brakes were all standard for the R/T.

Available as either a two-door hardtop or convertible in 1970, the R/T had evolved from subtle origins three years earlier to a model adorned with scoops and stripes. After 1970, the R/T was dropped from the Coronet range, along with the Super Bee.

This particular 1970 Coronet R/T is one of just 2,319 hardtops Dodge built that year - significantly down on the previous year.

Purchased in 1995, a laborious restoration by the owner wasn’t completed until 2007, compounded by the fact that virtually everything needed to rebuild the car had to be sourced from the US.

The standard drivetrain of a 440 V8 with ‘Six Pack’ induction and TorqueFlite auto is fitted, with the Sublime paint authentic to the model year, too. Inside, it’s a feast of black vinyl, broken up by faux woodgrain trim on the dash, doorcards and centre console; the latter housing the distinctive pistol grip shifter.