By the mid-sixties, the Plymouth Belvedere had secured a stable position in Plymouth’s lineup as a successful intermediate, and while there wasn’t much new to report in the overall styling of the ’66 model, big news awaited a small number of buyers who were seeking an extraordinary level of performance. Though the racing version had already been around for a couple of years, the 426 street Hemi made its debut this year, with this 1966 Plymouth Belvedere I here on Facebook Marketplace being one of the lucky recipients that left the factory with the iconic elephant engine under the hood. This one is in Rochester, New York, with the owner looking for around $100,000 to let this beautiful beast go. T.J., this is a great find, and thank you for sending in the tip here!
This is one of those scenarios where the owner’s friend is acting as the go-between for him and the buyer. Most of the information provided is helpful, but it’s a bit general, and there are no details given about the car’s history and why it still looks so sweet 60 years later. This Mopar is described as a rare, original car and is said to be very solid and complete. However, it’s not confirmed whether the paint is still the factory coat or if the exterior has been resprayed, and we don’t get to see the passenger side or rear section in any of the photos. The one close-up shot from the outside is of the driver’s fender, and hopefully, this area is indicative of how the rest of the metal looks, as this region appears straight and strong.
As for rarity combined with desirability, this one’s off the charts, as Plymouth built only 79 base Belvedere I cars with the 426 Hemi and 4-speed manual combo in 1966. The details about the mechanics are also limited, with the ad stating only that this is an original factory Hemi 4-speed car with low miles. Regarding the latter, no number is posted, but a photo of the odometer shows 22,067, so if that’s accurate, it probably indicates that this car was either driven very sparingly on the streets over the past six decades, or they were put on there 1/4 at a time.
Besides the speedometer/odometer picture, this is the only other interior photo, but it’s enough to get one’s hopes up that the rest will be in similar condition. If the visible components in here are indeed original, it’s also a promising clue that the miles may indeed be actual, as the dash isn’t showing the kind of wear I’d expect if the numbers were on their second trip around. I’m thinking there’s just enough information here to make potential buyers want to learn more, and if everything checks out, this 1966 Plymouth Belvedere I might demand and get near the $100k ballpark figure the seller is seeking. What do you think?
Rare is an understatement! He’s going to get his price for that one. I was honestly expecting more to buy it
That steering wheel’s off a 1965 Cuda…..but nice car – have the same year/ color in a 4 door out back – slant 6/3 on the tree….
I’m pretty sure the mileage came in 1/4 mile increments. Not much other reason to buy this car back then.
It is in remarkable shape and I agree with John, it’ll get it’s price.
A pass down the drag strip probably eats up 1 to 1 1/4 mile from the time you leave the pit to you return to your pit, often it’s less because you just return to the staging lanes between runs. For years I raced approximately 40 races a season, averaging 6 runs per race including time runs and eliminations, that’s 300 miles per year. Most of this cars miles were accumulated on the street and taking it to shows in its later life, it might have seen some track time, but nothing is going to come close to 20k miles of runs down a drag strip, that would take 70+ years.
Steve R
GET THOSE CHECK BOOKS READY THE HEMI IN THE GTX WASAMONSTER
Wow. Serious business Belvedere. 👍😎 🏁
And it’s gone, gone, gone, and Steve nailed it. This car was bought with the sole intention of keeping it for the ages, and where’s the “426” hood ornament? Deals off,,,kidding, but as mentioned,, 1966 was the 1st year for the 426 “street” hemi. It cost a whopping $907.61, if you could even get one. It, and related performance items related to the hemi, pushed the price of this normally economy sedan from $2700 to almost $4grand. It would do 0-60 in 5.3 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 13.8@104, again, if it hooked up.
Now, to back track some, this was NOT, I repeat NOT the ’67 GTX featured earlier that was for a more civilized buyer. This was created for one purpose, yep, the 1/4 mile. I bet the line workers smiled as this one went past. Whoever got it, it’s an amazing find, for sure.
And those 1/4 mile times were with 1966 quality tires..Just think of what it could do with current quality tires! Even today’s slicks are head and shoulders above what 1966 slicks could offer.
Great write up, but the Belvedere styling was all new for 1966…..the ’65 bodyshell was identical to the ’64.
This is a beautiful car, but Stan, Steve and Walter are right….this car was born for the strip. The B body was fairly light and the Hemi made these cars nose heavy. Canyon carvers they are not. They don’t like to run around town, they don’t like to sit in traffic. These cars are happiest when they are airing it out in the highway or the track.
Having said that, the ’66-’69 Belvedere in any configuration is one of my favorite Chrysler products, right up there with the ’67-’76 Valiant and Dart……
love the plain jane package. nothing but TCB!
Like Howard said it’s gone. I have no idea what a car like this is going to sell for in today’s market. However, I think it would have been interesting to have seen this on a Jackson Barrett or Mecum auction. I can just imagine the battle between two or more heavy weight collectors vying to be this car’s next owner.
I know a painter who found one in a garage when he stored his ladder ask the lady if it was for sale she said her late husband bought it and she couldn’t drive it because it wasn’t automatic, he bought it for $750.00,just wondering if he sleeps good at night
What, One Hundred Thousand Dollars for a Sixty Year Old Car! Is This car seller Nuts? Virgil
Of the “79” of these made, I know where one ended up. Saw it get T Boned in Arlington Va.
Old high school friend had it and no clue what he really had or he’d have taken much better care of it. I wonder who ended up with the drive train from that one.
It’s gone, but I still have my 1966 Plymouth Belvedere I Station Wagon. My speedometer is showing 26,204 miles with an all original bench seat w/headrest interior, and a body that has never had any rust, or rust repair, with one repaint in 1999 when I bought it for $300.00. Only upgrade is a 383 with a Keisler 5-speed conversion. I did retain the original 273HP & 3-speed, including all the column shift linkage. The ear on the column where the shifter handle attached is used for a tachometer, no cutting of anything except a 2″ hole on the hump for the shifter handle, Tremec’s are internally shifted.
Interior of my 1966 Plymouth Belvedere I Station Wagon
Very cool long roof! You should be proud!
My dad had a ‘66 Belvedere I wagon company car: the ultimate strippo. Straight 6, 3 on the tree, black walls & dog dishes, a metal plug for a radio. Puke green.
And I’d give anything to ride shotgun with him, just one more time.
Only in something that didn’t look like a nun-mobile.
The price on the 427 Galaxie recently, was said to be “eye watering”. What the h&ll do ya call this? Lol