The Graduation Car

In 1965, my dad received a new Dodge Coronet 500 as a high school graduation present from his parents.

The 500 was the top-of-the-line model in the Coronet series. It was available as a two-door hardtop or convertible and over 33,300 units were sold in 1965. Standard features included a V8 engine, exterior trim and badging, bucket seats, a padded dash, and a chrome floor console. It offered “a premium experience for buyers seeking a balance of performance and luxury.” Check out this vintage commercial to see just what I’m talking about. (You might also want to check out this groovy print ad for the ’66 Coronet.)

While Dodge offered the Coronet in models with a 426 Hemi or 440 Magnum engine and four-barrel carburetors, my grandpa purchased a 361 V8 with a two-barrel carburetor and automatic transmission. He wanted my dad to have something that looked sporty but was built like an old man’s car under the hood. He even test-drove it to make sure it had less power than the car he was currently driving. He told my dad not to be spinning the wheels and to take care of it.

Although he didn’t always drive it “sensibly,” Dad did take care of the car. After graduating from Clearspring High School, he drove it to Terre Haute while attending ISU. In 1968, my dad was on his way back to college when he was pulled over for going over 120 miles per hour. So much for being an old man’s car! Luckily, the policeman did not charge him with reckless driving—he just gave him a speeding ticket.

Eventually, the Coronet became a family car. My sisters and I were all brought home from the hospital in it, and it was our main vehicle for many years. My dad would take us out for rides and drive like a madman. The back end would slide around the gravel corners on Thompson Road, and we would jump hills like we were the Dukes of Hazzard.

Later, the car was put into retirement but never sold. As my high school graduation from Brownstown Central approached in 1987, Dad did some restoration work so we could drive it to the ceremony. As we pulled into the parking lot, steam was rolling out from under the hood because the radiator was leaking. It was later repaired, and I drove it back and forth to IU for a semester. Then, in 1990, we drove it to my sisters’ BCHS graduation.

After that, it sat for a while before being brought out again for my oldest nephew’s graduation in 2011. I think that’s when it became known as “The Graduation Car.” It became a tradition to get it running well enough to make it to each grandchild’s graduation.

Jimmy also graduated in 2022 but isn't pictured. And just last week, the Coronet made its last run for a while when my youngest nephew graduated from Brownstown Central.

As you may have noticed, our family gets attached to cars. I’m sure the Coronet will still be around when the newest generation graduates in 18 years. Just last week, we welcomed Linkon James Baute to the family! He may grow up to be a fifth-generation cattle farmer.