The Dodge Charger was a hot new automobile in 1966, a mid-size cross between a personal luxury car and a “pony” car. Though 37,344 units were sold at first, the rarest was the Charger with an H-Code 426 Hemi. Only 468 of those were built – and this Dodge is one of them. Unfortunately, that engine and its transmission have disappeared, perhaps long ago. So, it’s a fairly solid roller now looking for a second chance at life. Located in London, Kentucky, this rare Mopar is available here on eBay where the first bid of $5,000 has yet to be cast.
Dodge was the performance arm of Chrysler Corp. in the 1960s. Advertising in those days focused on the “Dodge Rebellion”, a call out to the youth of America that Dodge was the place to be if you wanted to go fast. The new Charger was a big part of that, and its sales took off it’s 1968 when all of Chrysler’s B-bodied intermediates were redesigned (for the better?). The base engine in the ’66 Charger was the 318 small-block V8, but many opted for the 361 and 383 engines. But only a few hundred buyers really wanted to gather speed by going for the 425 hp, the H-Code engine that was once in the seller’s Mopar.
We don’t know the history of this cream-colored Charger which has a matching interior. We’re told it’s mostly complete, excluding things you would expect to find under the hood. Even the driveshaft has been removed and looks like it may have torn off from the rear axle. We’re told the paint is original as would be the interior, and rust may not be a huge problem. But you will have to do some work on the floors, fenders, doors, and rocker panels.
This Dodge had power front disc brakes which would have been needed to stop the Hemi from a dead run. And, the car comes with its original Hemi K-member that you’ll need if you drop another 426 in its place. To preserve the rarity of the H-code, you’d have to find and install another period-correct 426. That won’t come cheap, but the value of the car would surely be more than if you dropped in a 440 or 383 instead. Or you could go restomod if the H-code isn’t important to you.
Hellcat crate engine would be amazing
While I live the styling, the overall condition and necessary work makes me want to DODGE 😉 this one!
Look up Webster’s definition of the word dodge.
I would check with Bo and Luke to see if the engine is somewhere near by on this one.
Its a shame its missing but back in the day these cars were every day use.
I would put a modern Hemi in it.
GLWS.
I consider it a shame that this wasn’t used on the Dukes of Hazzard. I can imagine Bo and Luke driving this car.
Why was the original K member removed?
” the car comes with its original Hemi K-member “
Not sure but it’s hard to mount another Mopar engine in the orginal one….so after the Hemi was plucked – I’m sure another Mopar motor went in….just saying.
Find a wreck late model Hell Cat or any Poplar product and swap it over
The 426 Hemi’s are a crazy highly demanded auto, but in reality they were a terrible driving car, as the other big blocks. I feel this is the biggest reason there were so few of them sold.
With a base price in ‘66 of $3,146 ($30,445 today) upgrading to a 426 was an additional $877 ($8,487 today). I think that more than anything is why production was low.
I own a BB 67 Charger, and like most of the cars fro the 60’s, it cannot corner, but goes like a scared bear with its tail on fire in a straight line. Hemis did not sell well because they added 25% to the price of the car and were tough to drive on the street with the dual-quad carb setup. Also, because of that setup, A/C was not an option as the compressor could not fit in front of the carbs. (However, few of these cars were air conditioned.)
No….it was cost and warrenty – Mopar has had a 5yr – 50,000 back in the day buy Hemi cars only got 12 months – 12,000 miles….
This would make an awesome resto project or possibly a restomod. I don’t mind patina, as long as the body is solid and the chassis is solid. If it fits, I’d give it a 440 cu. in. engine with fuel injection, and then upgrade the gearbox and replace the old drum brakes with front Disc brakes. Hey Charger!
A guy I worked with fell in love with the ’66 Charger when it first came out. He disappeared at lunchtime one day and returned driving one. He was delirously happy! Somebody asked if his wife had picked the color, and he sheepishly told us that he hadn’t told her that he was buying a car… imagine that! He was still walking, though, when he came to work the next day…no vivible bruises…
“Dodge was the performance arm of Chrysler Corp. in the 1960s.” Please don’t tell that to Plymouth and Richard Petty, Russ.
Lee Roy Yarborough couldn’t get first gen Chargers to stay planted on a NASCAR track, so France gave into ChryCo yet again, and let them run a trunk spoiler. Impetus for Chrysler to delve into aerodynamics to fix the concave (air trap) grille and speed sucking back window of their disastrous, next generation Charger.
And poof: The Charger 500 and later the Daytona were born.
My favourite years for the Charger are 1966 through 1969.
I was a lot boy at a Dodge dealership in 65-66 and got to enjoy a hemi on the way to the wash rack.
I worked at a gas station in the 70s and touched a lot of rare stuff. The best was a 69 boss 429 mustang. change oil and lube. was sitting a long time!! Didn’t know what I had on my hands-but I do now now.