Projects 53 Dodge Coronet

I just picked this up a couple of days ago. I know very little about Mopars. Always been a Ford guy, but she really spoke to me. Anyway, if any of you fellas know where I could get any parts or just some advice, both would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx,
Roscoe

 

Woulda had a flat head six originally? Anybody know if that red ram v8 is from a Later 50s dodge....maybe about a 325 c.i.d?

 

Some had a six and some had the V8 like yours, the 2 speed trans is the problem with these cars. need to put a stick or later automatic. It is a nice car, nose and deck it, lower it about 4 to 6 inches put some good looking hubcaps like full moons or 55 56 Buicks and you'll be cruisin in style.

 

Does this actually have a Powerflite transmission? I thought the Gyromatic was the probable transmission, but I do see that the Powerflite was available in 53. The Gyromatic was a semi-automatic transmission. Cars with a Gyromattic have a clutch pedal.

The only thing wrong with the Powerflite is that it is a 2 speed much like a Chevy Powerglide. If memory serves, it was a pretty dependable transmission. I had one in a 54 New Yorker. The Powerflite was replaced by the 3 speed cast iron Torqueflite I believe in 56 in the high end cars.

If the engine is the stock engine (it appears to be in the pictures) it should be a 241 cu in Dodge Red Ram hemi. All the early Chrysler hemi's were over-built and ran a long time. Looks like a nice car.

 

Brings back memories. Dad bought a 54, mechanically the same as 53 (with Powerflite) just different grill and trim.
This one has a PF judging from the interior shot, one pedal, indicator on the column.

Great little Hemi, 241ci. The trans is normally very reliable, with only one caveat, the reverse band apply link can be broken by 'spirited' throttle in reverse. I broke Dad's (his car was my Saturday date car before I got a nice car). And much later broke the one behind the 356 Hemi in my Ford pickup.

Easy fix though, don't even have to pull the trans, just the tail housing.

 

Thanks for the comments. It's a 241 Red Ram with the Gyro-Matic. It does have a clutch, just hard to see in the pic. It was running pretty good about 6 years ago. Been neglected since then. Hopefully it won't take too much to get it on the road.

Roscoe

 

Nice car!

I've had this one for over a decade now. It was a steep learning curve, but has turned into a great, reliable cruiser.

I'm running dual Rochester 2bbls on my 241, with the stock 3 spd.

If you want, send me a private message and I can pass on a bunch of info!

 

Very cool. I'll send you a message.

Thank you,
Roscoe

 

Nice car. Seems to have the orginal interior still in it.
I had my car since dec 86 and it is very reliable.
Most of the spareparts i have found for my car come from swapmeets and ebay.

 

Good looking car! I belive it is the same generation chassis as most of the '42-56 mopar family. These drive and stop well, although sometimes a little "boaty" due to soft springs, small sway bar,, and front shocks that don't tie in to the frame.
Aerostar coil springs fit well, and can be used to lower it, especially paired with "flipping " the spring seat from the top of the lower control arm to the bottom and or cutting a coil off.
Rear springs are 1.75" wide, so regular 2" wide lowering blocks don't fit right.
There are a modest amount of new reproduction parts, oldmoparts.com and robertsmotorparts.com are two good places to start. Many mechanical and tune up parts are available through Rock auto and other normal parts stores.

Keep us updated as you get it on the road!

 

Thanks for the information and links. And yes, the interior is still original and in great shape. It only has 58K original miles, so that explains why everything is preserved so well.
Once I get into it a little further, I'm sure I'll have questions. And it seems there is quite a knowledgeable group of folk here. So thanks in advance.

Roscoe.

 

I can’t help a lick on anything about the car. But wanted to say that it sure looks like you found a nice one.
Have good times with it!

 

Wow, what's not to like ....... I'm smiling.

 

Great looking ride .

The semi-auto trans is a stout unit and can be taken up to 70 or so on the hwy .

pretty much everything mechanical is available, if you need any trim or body parts be prepared to be on the hunt and spend some cash.

great looking car !

 

Thats the first year of the 241 hemi in that car...

 

Some car and truck stuff mechanical wise line up...maybe door seals and window stuff also...
this is a truck vendor but got alot of stuff
https://dcmclassics.com/

For suspension etc these guys have been pretty good in getting what I needed.
https://www.rareparts.com/