We're Growing Our Own Revival Projects... 1966 Dodge Coronet Station Wagon Freed From The Bushes

This is Mrs. Jamie's 1966 Dodge Coronet 440 station wagon. It's actually got a 440 under the hood, as well as some suspension and braking upgrades that make it awesome to drive. But for some reason we've been letting it season for the last couple of years. It's been spotted in many of my videos, and many people have asked about it. So today, let's finally dig in on the wagon and bring it back from the dead once again.

[@musclecarmitch908]

I've always liked the look of the 66 coronet grille, their so hard to find in good shape without dings around the surround. Awesome old wagon!👍

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I know it. The headlight bezels are always, always damaged. I miraculously found a decent complete grille assembly. Can’t wait to get to that.

[@nighttrainist]

As a teen, i remember how Mopars handled, whether a Charger or a Mom/Pop station wagon. The tosion bars up front and leafs in the rear made them handle far better than the GM and Ford counterparts.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s what makes them so great! I’m a firm believer in the torsion bar setup.

[@boardbrown]

As long as you don't scrape the Sunn O))) sticker off the back window, you can't really go wrong with that beast!

[@davestark2015]

My first car was a wagon, if i remember it was a 74 Dodge Polaris had a 440 interceptor. That was 1980. Man that thing loved gas.

[@BigBoxDodge2020]

I have used a product called Color Back from Turtle Wax, it works really well on cars that need polishing. If you try it, be careful if you're using a buffer. It removes oxidized paint. If there's enuf paint left, it will shine.

[@nathanalbert205]

Wagons are so cool. It would also be nice to see it pulling a vintage canned ham trailer to a campsite for some family fun. Another great episode!

[@jonboy9912]

Cars aside I admire your sense of fate, recognition of failures, but admire your fighting spirit, acceptance of limitations and ambition to rise above everything else and also your sense of dry humour! Keep churning out the good stuff, you have become my favourite car thing on KZbin! I never wanted it to happen - it just happened kind of!!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you! I definitely appreciate that, and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Haha.

[@deepfreezevideo]

It needs a KNAC-FM sticker...or a Mighty Met KMET sticker. Yeah, neither of those stations exist anymore, but when they did they were awesome, just like that wagon.

[@AceFace50001]

I just can't get enough wagon content....that and the unintentionally awkward camera angles. 🤣 Good stuff.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Happy to help 🤣

[@soyounoat]

Every big car I have owned gets a rear sway bar, upgraded front bar if needed, always new bushings. Cornering and handling the curves are not the only improvements. Straight line highway hauling in crosswinds is vastly improved. Crosswinds that sway the car change the steering geometry making for a twitchy ride, and good sway bars keep it flat and track straight for superior high speed hauling. Back in the mid-1970s when I was in 10th grade, my buddy Max took me to his uncle's house a few blocks from my home to show me his 1966 Coronet (also white) 2-door hardtop hidden around the side of the house. He lifted the hood to reveal the factory Hemi with the gigantic air cleaner that sat on 2 x 4-bbl carbs. His uncle parked it because it ate rear tires too fast. Max begged his uncle to sell it to him. Unsurprisingly, he did not.

[@mtbpirates]

Grew up in one of those in the 60’s. My Dad loved that thing. The days when “safety” barely existed.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I can’t remember who I heard say that a car “predates safety” but I love that. Most of mine do.

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

LoL, im in Sydney but sumhow when u cracked the door n slid over i knew exactly the 'Val Smell' u were experiencing. Priceless

[@bigwrenchtech]

It’s about time grandpa!!!!

[@seabolt440]

While on your trip to TN, there is a classic car junk yard here in Great Bend KS. He also has a KZbin channel. I believe it's called "Nobody's Show". It would most like be on your way and would probably have the bumper your looking for.

[@mexicanspec]

No belt squeal. The little things can bring such happiness.

[@moseshancock3336]

You don't need brakes that's what other cars are for 😂😂😂😂 love the wagon cool beans 😎

[@ShadsGarage0221]

That state you live in would be great to do a rust test on different coatings! 😆 Washington is VERY beautiful, but DUDE!!

[@tonysears1720]

Old wagon plus big block equals awesome factor of over 9000 😂 love it

[@danielventura8073]

Wow. Our neighbors up the hill hod one of those bought new in '66. I was just 4 years old then.

[@truthfilterforyoutube8218]

I suggest the big difference in appearance under the hood over just 2 years is that the blackberry bush stopped the air movement in the bay, allowing moisture to buildup...thus corrosion and mold

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It wasn’t clean two years ago either, as it had been left parked in a yard for several years before that. It was long overdue for a clean up.

[@truthfilterforyoutube8218]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Okay....but it's still the lack of air movement that causes the corrosion and mold. To which, I am letting people know that if the grass or weeds get taller than the wheel wells....this is what happens.

[@beljames1563]

Great to see the wagon exhumed from its thorny enterrement.

[@rexkean]

Those are cool cars. People always tend to discount wagons... but they're awesome!

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

O yeah Baby, and say gday to Connor Zant for us . Cheers mate

[@Mclovingarage]

The wagon!! Back to life and reclaimed from the earth! What a unit! Glad it’s getting some love finally!

[@jeffrowlette]

My first tube amp was a Sunn.......absolutely wonderful amp until I got my first Deluxe Reverb.

[@francoisbouchard602]

Nice job Nice Dodge Nice show 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍😃😃😍

[@mattwhaley9917]

Absolutely Love the wagon! What a solid unit! Can't wait to see the next round of improvements for this girl and to see a racecar being pulled behind her. ❤

[@richardbates2367]

Im pretty sure I speak to most of us when I say i watch almost all of your videos Jamie sir.

[@majorpayne5289]

Nice video. I’m feelin’ old. Born in 66. I miss the old cars. Anywhooo, good stuff, J. Keep up the good work! Best channel ever sir. 👍

[@lessharratt8719]

Don't feel old. I was born in 56. I can still get it up for a 440 4 barrel wagon.

[@deandee8082]

very cool wagon, should be nice sorted, leak proof and solid

[@ChristopherJohnston-t5z]

Brings back memories of my parents 63 Belvedere wagon with the push button transmission.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh that would be a cool one. I really like those ‘63s.

[@rustandmagic]

Autmotive Interiors in Springfield make fantastic seat covers (replacement or slip overs) besides headliners and floor mats, it will not be 100% like original but they always fit great and fantastic quality.

[@allenm00]

you get a thumbs up from me when I start watching one of your videos so I don't forget. I remove it if the video isn't good. I have yet to remove any thumbs up. Keep up the great work!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Fair deal! Haha. Thanks!

[@ThisValiantAdventure]

We’ve missed Mrs. Jamie’s wagon content!

[@linwoodlane5721]

So much reminding to do , you need to remind me to remind you

[@Darryl-69SE]

I think this car has a good foundation to be what you want to make it down the road. (Daily driver/car show). You need a big barn.

[@jamesblair9614]

what a great way to start a rainy Sunday! I have owned a white 66 Coronet 440 with the same tan interior for 45 years. It looks amazingly better after giving it a bath, in our wet climate, long term storage on grass is best avoided. Did you ever ask yourself why so many 66 B bodies have their factory installed radio antennas mounted so far forward on the unreinforced fender skin, rather than about 6” further back on the provided reinforcement? Assuming your car still has it’s original antenna, my guess is you will find the lead in cable has some extra length stuffed into the door jamb, and maybe an extra loop under the dash. I misplaced the original cable that was on my car, I recall it had a sticker with a part number on it, I’m betting it would be a C body part. A lot of the cars with this feature, also have a hole in the hinge pillar that’s not completely finished, the hole is initially punched, but not finished to the correct size. I’ve never seen this ever mentioned on any of the forums, people assume the fender has been replaced and the radio was added later, but that’s the way they came from the factory. Over the years, I’ve collected loads of photos of original B bodies with forward mounted antennas. It’s goofy, the top of the fender is broad and nearly flat , and being unreinforced, the antennas are so often at some crazy angle. It might not be 100% correct for restoration purposes, but I moved my antenna to where the engineers meant it to be.

[@craigbowley6783]

Wagons are the best 👌

[@michaelroberts6450]

that wagon is worth the effort something that has style, size and functionality in multiple tasks. Grocery getter, tow vehicle, camper and big block Chrysler torque what's not to like. When I was in my late teens I had a '74 Ford Torino big block 351 Cleveland wagon and it would do awesome burnouts filling the inside of it up with tire smoke because there was a rust hole where the spare tire mounted in rear quarter. It was yellow with the wood panel trim on the sides big wagons are fun lots of smiling driving that ugly but reliable wagon. Seeing you enjoying yours brought back memories of mine.

[@pcbullets8726]

What a boat! I have to say it's pretty awesome though. Looks like it's fun!

[@moparedtn]

LOVE a Mopar wagon; hell, I grew up riding all over in Pops' '68 Monaco wagon, one that I'd kill to find today. I'm convinced that listening to that 383 burbling away from the back of that car is what ingrained the Mopar big block DNA in my soul... I can about wrap this life tour thing up if/when I ever find that car again and make it mine. - Ed on the Ridge

[@geoffkeller5337]

Absolutely love the wagon!

[@xlmi7021]

Cool Wagon. So many fun possibilities...

[@jondickson75]

Love it. Hands down the coolest one in the fleet.

[@JohnnyRoadRunner-rr6qf]

More on this car! Love this!

[@CarTech1976]

Awesome content Jamie!Love that car and I can’t wait until you start the bulk of the work on it.

[@wheelieking71]

Liked the Firm-Feel shout out. I have their full package with a level-II gear-box sitting here on a table for my '71 Challenger (waiting on me of course). It is currently so worn out it is dangerous to drive! LOL

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yikes. Haha. I think this is a stage II as well.

[@michaelnault5905]

My first car was a wagon. The most important thing on old time wagons is brakes. Take my word for it :⁠-⁠)

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh we learned that on this one, the hard way. Hence the power disk brake conversion. Haha.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

These Wagons Got beat to Death back in the day that is a true Survivor. 🌮🌮🌮👍

[@DamnItBoyGarage]

Damn It Boy... I Love that wagon.

[@wiggyjones]

I would watch your XJ videos because that's my daily driver in the winter. My headliner is falling down. Project for this summer.

[@robertsmida9601]

I had a wagon like that back in the late 80's. Mine was a 3-speed manual. It was a blast to drive. I drove it out of a snow bank one winter.

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Station wagons are awesome 👍🇺🇸

[@davidbisnette7673]

I’m liking the wagon , when I was young there were as many wagons as SUV s now

[@daltonsparks1293]

I wish my neck of the woods was more Mopar country. Love the videos, keep it up

[@stevecovey1758]

Great video - I can see why you've got a lot of friends. You are very entertaining with no pretence. I love the wagon, too.

[@LongIslandMopars]

Nice!!! I have a soft spot in my heart for 66 Coronets, especially since I have my dad's that he bought new with my mom. Dark turquoise 500 crew cab with its original 273.

[@peterkovacs8654]

Love the long roof!

[@markallen1413]

I really like the wagon, very cool👍👍👍👍👍✅✅✅✅✅

[@Bob-Whiting]

I really like it. I had a medium long thing all written up about buyin' it. I deleted it. I do like the car though, it's cool. Love your show Jamie.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

We’re done selling this one. Haha. Thanks!

[@Bob-Whiting]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Yeah, sigh, that's what I figured once I finished the vid. You love it, it's part of the family!

[@Ray-tf2fl]

White Wolf I'm going to check that out 🎵🎶 can't wait to get wicked smarrt on live tonight 👍🏻✌🏻💯

[@raynemergut1894]

I’m in love 😍 as kid my stepdad had one just like it same color thanks for bringing back some memories

[@joshjesch6000]

Love that wagon so much...and the slots that are setting next to the 68 charger are friggin awesome too.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh yeahhh. Those are destined for the ‘69… but I did consider some temporary wagon swappage.

[@joshjesch6000]

That would also look sweet...either car.

[@Tumbleweed_Tx]

wow, my mom had the exact same problem with our 67 Coronet 440 Sedan in 1970 when my little brother came along.

[@apj341]

From one wagon owner to another, these are the most usefully configured vehicles on the road 🛣️ 👍. Enjoy it every day 😊 -- 339K miles, 1966 Corolla wagon (alright, 1996)

[@patd5146]

Honestly Jamie this is the best looking car you own...so far!!! Awesome ❤

[@TimothyRussell-uv7uv]

I remember the wagon video!!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice! You’ve been around quite a while. Haha.

[@leeorndorff120]

Oh ma gosh, this one made me laugh, from the spiders that must die( I get that) to the regurgitated fuel when the wagin came to a stop, lol! That's why I keep watching. Keep up the good work.

[@Angelina-xj5zd]

My first car was a station wagon, I like them.

[@parrishpatterson6780]

Fantastic wagon, hope you have a great trip!

[@staceyrenner5418]

Your Coronet wagon is far cooler than mine.

[@DonaldHall9]

What a beautiful unit and full of horse purses

[@Doug2114]

I believe it's time for another fleet walk around. It's hard to remember what's still around.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Not too much has changed since the one I did when I ruined my wrist. I’m sure a few have. Maybe I should plan to do those annually.

[@LSSindustries]

At this point I just thought it was permanent yard art

[@robertspence831]

I love that car.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Me too!

[@buckeyejim2989]

🗿💨 thanks for sharing this longtop with us👍 The smiling hood latch made me chuckle 😂😊 The headliner may react to moisture introduced tween the top and liner, then propped up in hopes that when it dries, it will stay up. Sweet old Mopar you have👍👍

[@snakeskinproductions7500]

I had a very similar Polara wagon back in the day 383 flavor. Not sure on the year 67 or 8 maybe? It was a land yacht. We used to load it up with 6 or seven people and go camp at the beach for the weekend during the summer. It was a great car and as with most of my past vehicles I wish I still had it. As far as this one goes it deserves some big love and if you ever get the notion, hit me up I would drive from here (CT.) to the other corner of the country to give it a new home. Much love...🤓

[@waynedavis7245]

Great to see the wagon up and running. About time. Looking forward to more videos on it .

[@bryanjackson2807]

Used to have a 66 polara wagon and a 67 coronet, both bled power steering fluid right out the seals and the casing in the actual pump. We PC7'ed it until it looked like a grey gumball and stopped the leak.

[@ChiruStone]

the SUNN(O) sticker! 👏👏👏

[@jamesretired5979]

I Like It

[@tannerlawson1721]

Yeah buddy skilled and flawless work dodge head garge keep up.yhe good work

[@Avendesora]

I was just thinking about this car! Someone filled one at my station yesterday. Coincidence? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

😮🤯

[@allanperryman388]

I love the wagon! Of all your cars, she is my favorite.

[@martind701]

Nice video Jamie!

[@shaunclifton5281]

Funny coincidence about the Ohio bumpers. I bought a 1977 Plymouth truck grille NOS still in the box in Ohio. The seller was nice enough to hold onto it for me for 2 years until I finally made it to Ohio to pick it up. We were NOT about to ship that Perfect NOS aluminum grille.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Good call… Tom shipped an NOS ‘Cuda grille that was worth an insane amount of money once and it ended up damaged.

[@jeffrowlette]

Really enjoyed this episode! Thank you!

[@Oldjohn52]

Release the Raspberries!!

[@BigfootsnMopars]

AWESOME Wagon. Torque rules! Ironically I had a b body front swaybar for sale $80 at the swap meet at Mopars in the Park and nobody even looked at it . 🦶🏾

[@SeanJoseph-s2s]

Yup...wagon are cool...good content and thanks 🔧🔧👍

[@Turkeybaby1972]

Love station wagons

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

The thing is mint, it even has brakelights! If I ever make it across this guy I might consider as my ride/motel room. A good mpg would be fun, I don´t mind "embarrassing" horsepower, I like torque and occasionally going on the highways. This ride I´d enjoy and fit right in, only a Charger or a pretty 59 Caddie would be more "American" to a tourist.

[@66balsam]

Great car! What’s better than a Mopar wagon!!

[@indianaslim4971]

Two Mopar wagons!

[@Hotdaddy536]

Hey Jamie..ive always like the 66-67 coronet something about them..had a few friends that had them..one pulled a 440 magnum out of the junk yard and installed in his .. oh boy it was party time and party it would..that was back in 71 way before your time i think..lol..give uncle Tony a run for his money.. I'm rooting for ya..cheers 🍻🍻🍻🍺🍺🍺🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@HelpingHand-ic4wt]

A local upholsterer could probably sew the two folding seatback covers together for your solid back front seat, if you went the pre-made way.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I had the thought, but I think I’ll just have them make me covers. They’re really good over there.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

I think you should dab a bit of white paint on those rust spots. Also, the B body wagon can't pull a regular car, even an A body, on a trailer. Back in the day before people used trucks, a C body wagon was the standard. And today's trailers weigh a lot. There are sketches for trailer hitches for Mopars in a vintage book about RV's sponsored by Dodge. Basically, a bunch of angle iron comprises a ladder frame that is attached to two points on each side of the frame and , I think, the bolts that hold the bumper to the body. And 4000 or maybe 5000 is the maximum towing rating even with this using a load equalizing hitch and trailer brakes. I'd make sure a sway control was on it.

[@user-KrackerJack]

That car is so cool , wish it was mine , but no I don't have the money even if it was for sale

[@KiwiStag74]

That wagon has an awesome exhaust not....or should I say it has awesome exhaust notes! She's got the potential, mate. She looks great, goes great, stops....er....great and does a great reverse run-on-and-wheeze when you switch it off. I could list all the things you asked us to remind you of, but I might run out of space to type, so I'll just wish you the best of luck at remembering them all. You're a few years younger than me, so it should be easier for you (in theory). Man, I love me a 60s Mopar wagon..... Tell you what though. Funny on the timing of finding your channel and seeing this video. I too have created my own two projects. They sat in my driveway for the past 3 years and both ran when parked and although were parked up for minor things, some major ones have appeared just to spice it up a bit. I tried starting both of them for the first time late last week. One fired up straight away but would not run properly or idle because one of the SU carburettors was pouring fuel out of the bottom of the bowl (Waxstat connection has a seal that has died) and the other fired up, ran well, actually drove around the block a few times and sat and idled quite happily.....but it now has some fairly severely moth-ridden panel work. Some of the rot was already there, but the moths stopped holding hands on those - when they have gone to chew on other parts of the car - and they turned into holes ...which won't pass inspection in a country with rust laws that are taken straight from the Narcissist's Book of Pain and Suffering. The first classic I mentioned has also developed its own Perimeter of Flakes and developed a few bulges in its body panels that it never had before it sat in Auckland's weather for 3 years either. So, sadly I need to go get a new welder before they can return to the road....as well as finish cleaning up the garage so they don't keep dissolving. Basically, I am sympathising / empathising with your plight in resurrection of this wonderful Coronet. As well as all the things that she needed doing, she's telling you off for leaving her for so long. Oh - forgot to mention that on the second classic, I was checking whether fuel was getting up to the carb and found that the rubber line - brand new a month before she was parked - had turned into some form of goo reminiscent of a cross between a string-filled putty and a hard jube. I've still got some of that fuel line in my stock and it's fine, so whatever they stick on our fuel nowadays also eats rubber hose if you leave your car alone....which is rather annoying considering its cost and the calisthenics required to replace it all. Anyway, I'll look forward to seeing more of this beast at a later time. All the best

[@rennkafer13]

Looking much better... I am a little disappointed in the lack of at least a one wheel peel, my 71 Coronet with a 318 has that much beans with a semi dead #2 cylinder. I have the hitch I took off said '71, yours if you want it. Pretty sure it's not heavy duty enough to pull a car trailer though. Also, totally with you on the tiny spiders, propane torch is my favorite too, such satisfying pops and crackles.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It did it when I first took off. Once it was warm it just pinged like crazy, then the throttle stuck. All bad times. I need to time it, put fresh fuel in it, and fix the throttle setup. Then we’ll have something.

[@rennkafer13]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Ah I know, just giving you some grief 😁 Really cool car tbh, I love that vintage wagon, and the Coronet is a particularly nice one. Given you're on the road, is there a live tonight?

[@leonardhirtle3645]

Old station wagons. I love this channel.