It was an extended wheelbase eighht passenger, with the Coronado nameplate clearly visible on the rear. Jim has corresponded with an individual in Pennsylvania who has (or had) a 1961 Coronado that had an interesting history (claimed previously “royalty” owned). One of these cars is pictured in my book Plymouth, 1946-1959. The chassis was a “rugged steel box frame with six extra cross members.” V8 models came with power steering-tire size was 8:50x14” on six inch wide rims. Rear axle ratio was 4.1 with the straight stick, 3.73 with automatic. Transmission choices included a straight three speed or TorqueFlite automatic. The name “Coronado” was not applied to these cars as far as I can tell (I have the 1958 brochure which does not use this name, at least for the Plymouth version). Power was by either the 230 cubic inch flathead six or the 318 V8. The rear axle had a larger diameter ring gear, special ratios and heavy duty axle shafts. All were equipped with heavy duty front and rear suspensions including a front sway bar. Built on a 142” wheelbase (two feet over normal) the cars were built as Plymouth, Dodge Kingsway and DeSoto Diplomat models, although all were based on the Plymouth body shell. Plymouth announced a line of extended wheelbase cars in 1958 the cars were to be built in Chrysler subsidiary “Societe Anonyme Chrysler” Antwerp, Belgium plant. Plymouth used the name “Coronado” for its line of foreign built extended wheelbase eight passenger sedans after 1958. This car has taken first place at the National DeSoto Club Convention in 2001.” I will be taking this car to Hemmings Motor News Musclepalooza VII this Spring for a one time face off with a worthy opponent.in the F.A.S.T. We drive it to manyĬar shows as well as the Mopars in Motion shows in our area. They featured the Fireflite Sportsman leather and cloth interiors on them, which were not available on the standard Fireflite sedans.ĭarrell wrote: “Currently there is just over 25,000 miles on this car. Leslie Howard wrote: The 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Coronado was only available in the tri-tone color scheme (with a bright green, white top, and black side-spear) or turquiose, white, and black in any main, roof, sweep combination. 1955 Coronados were only 4 door Fireflite sedans in three colors, black, turquoise and white. The DeSoto Coronado was a trim option on the 1954 Firedome and 1955 Fireflite. A series of these cars were ordered by an Israeli importer, but they failed to pay for the order, and the cars were stored for around a year near the docks due to humidity, the cars had to be reconditioned before eventually being sold in Europe. Engines were a six cylinder and a Perkins four-cylinder diesel. The interior had a large rear compartment with extra folding chairs. The floor was welded together fairly easily, but the roof was more difficult, requiring a thick layer of tin to be sprayed on. ![]() The basis was a Plymouth Belvedere the floor and roof were cut and material was added to the middle. Hans Ensing provided a photo of a 1962 eight-passenger Coronado produced in the Rotterdam plant it was essentially a continuation of the Coronados that had been made in Antwerp. ![]() However, in export markets, particularly in Argentina, the Coronado name was used as a regular model which could be sold as something different in the United States - except for the Plymouth Coronado, a series of extended wheelbase eight passenger sedans made in Belgium. ![]() In the United States, Chrysler used the “Coronado” name on a “spring special” (new models brought out in midyear to stimulate showroom traffic at what would otherwise be a slow time of year). ![]() The Coronado name was attached to many different cars. The DeSoto, Plymouth, and Chrysler Coronado The DeSoto, Plymouth, and Dodge Coronado
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