Chrysler entered the burgeoning intermediate car market in 1962 with the introduction of its B-body platform. Plymouth took the opportunity to shrink the Belvedere, turning it into the brand’s core midsize model through the end of the decade. At the same time, Dodge, which had retired the Coronet name in 1959, reworked the Dart to fit the new platform. Just three years later, Dodge decided to bring the Coronet badge back.
Reintroduced for the 1965 model year, the Coronet quickly gained fame as the basis for several legendary muscle cars, including the Charger and Super Bee. But the Coronet wasn’t merely a stepping stone for other icons—it also came with its own lineup of performance machines. High-powered versions were available with either the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB engine or the fearsome 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Hemi in two-door configurations.
The legendary Hemi made its Coronet debut in 1966, followed by the 440 RB in 1967, the same year Dodge rolled out the R/T performance package. Even so, the 1965 Coronet held its own. That year, buyers could choose from three big-block V8s. These included a 361-cubic-inch (5.9-liter) engine rated at 265 horsepower, and the popular 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8 with an output of 330 horsepower.
For those craving more muscle, Dodge offered the 426-cubic-inch Street Wedge. Although it shared its displacement with the Hemi, this engine was a different beast altogether. It wasn’t based on the high-strung Max Wedge that Mopar fans knew from the early ’60s drag scene. While the Max Wedge boasted up to 425 horsepower and race-bred internals, the Street Wedge was more street-friendly, producing 365 horsepower and a hefty 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque.
Despite its power, the 426 Street Wedge was rarely ordered. Production figures show that only 6,569 vehicles received this engine in 1965—less than 2% of that year’s combined Dodge Coronet and Plymouth Belvedere output. Of those, just 2,100 were Coronets, making them quite collectible today. One such survivor is a two-door hardtop recently highlighted on YouTube’s “Classic Car Rescue.”
This particular car had been tucked away in storage for years, though it’s more of a warehouse survivor than a traditional barn find. Remarkably well-preserved, it features glossy paint, clean chrome, and a tidy interior. The car also runs and drives, suggesting it was maintained while off the road.
Though specific history on the car is limited, it seems to be part of a larger vehicle collection headed to auction. A glimpse inside the cabin reveals a four-speed manual shifter—significant because only 729 Coronets were built with the 426 Street Wedge and this transmission. Finished in the uncommon Pale Gold Poly paint, the car is even more special.
Officially, 1965 marked the end of the line for the 426 Street Wedge. Still, a handful of 1966 Coronets were reportedly built with the engine, making them rare anomalies. For more on these little-known Mopars, check out my feature on “Gentle Ben,” a 1966 Coronet meticulously restored by Jim Wicker of Angry Cylinders.