1965-’67 Dodge Coronet
Dodge management made a rather big error when it decided to downsize its full-sized cars for 1962, based on faulty intelligence that General Motors was going to do the same. Half a foot shorter and roughly 400 pounds lighter than the 1961 models, the 1962 Polara and Dart “big” cars ended up looking like larger versions of the compact Lancer, which was Dodge’s version of the Plymouth Valiant. Next to the long, stylish models from GM and Ford, the Dodges appeared small and skimpy. Not surprisingly, sales stalled in a year that saw a large increase in industry volume. Dodge managed to salvage the year by also offering the Chrysler-based Custom 880 series. A big car on a 122-inch wheelbase, the Custom
