When considering muscle cars built by Chrysler that were powered by the legendary 426 Hemi engine, demand will always be a given. Therefore, rarity in that category is often what automotive dreams are made of, and little equals the desirability of Hemi-powered convertibles. While the sporty E-bodies of 1970-71 remain at the pinnacle of collectability, many of the B-body versions are actually rarer. This 1967 Dodge Hemi Coronet R/T Convertible is one of only three built that model year—a testament to drop-top Hemi exclusivity. The Dodge Coronet itself is a unique part of muscle-car history. First used briefly in the 1950s, the name returned in 1965, the same year the company released its second version of the drag-race 426 Hemi under engineering-code A990. This came in a special lightweight Coronet package car. There were no Hemi Coronet convertibles that year, but when code A102—the street version of the Hemi—showed up for 1966, Hemi convertibles entered the Coronet line. The following year, performance Coronets moved up to the top of Dodge’s passenger-car line when the R/T model was introduced. Expensive and not for just any buyer, Chrysler sold only a handful of Hemi Coronet convertibles every year until 1971, when the R/T model was dropped and the Coronet nameplate was moved to a four-door/wagon platform only. In fact, this was the only Dodge model that featured a convertible Hemi option until 1970, when the Challenger appeared. Of the three Hemi Coronet R/T convertibles produced in 1967, only two were optioned with the 4-speed transmission. This beautiful car was built with a 4-speed on the assembly line and has benefited from a thorough refreshing to as-original condition. Indeed, this car shows a believed-correct 30,805 miles. The new-for-1967 R/T package came with specific body details—a special grille, performance hood treatment, a unique cast-metal rear panel, R/T emblems and premium standard equipment—but what muscle-car fans care most about seeing are those small 426 Hemi chrome tags on the front fenders. That tag automatically meant street credibility. Lift the hood, and beneath are the wide chrome air cleaner, black valve covers and orange block that made the Hemi instantly identifiable. This rebuilt and detailed-correct 426 Hemi engine has the dual 4-barrel Carter AFB carburetors, correct exhaust system, hemispherical heads and NASCAR- developed durability. With its factory-rated 425 HP—true, though that number was found someplace low on the dyno sheet—the powerplant is backed by the original A833 4-speed transmission and a 3.54 Dana 60 Sure Grip rear end. During this car’s refreshing, the suspension was rebuilt, and this car has power steering and power brakes with front discs. While you could get an R/T convertible in any available color, few could argue that there was a better muscle-car choice than QQ1 Dark Red Metallic. The well-defined body also has restored chrome and stainless trim, the chrome driver’s-side mirror, a black top and a matched code-P6X black bucket- seat interior. The inside features new carpeting and correct R/T door panels, the pushbutton AM radio, 3-spoke steering wheel, 150 MPH speedometer, chrome pedal dress-ups and a floor-mounted factory shifter. The car completes its look of classy power with Magnum 500-style factory road wheels, wearing BF Goodrich bias-ply redline tires. This spectacular car will be a centerpiece display in any collection. One of three as built, one of two as optioned and likely just one of one for its next caretaker, R/T still means Real/Tough.
