- Seller: Valerie B
- Location: Hudson, Florida
- Mileage: 146,000 Shown
- Chassis #: XP29G61222870
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 440 V8
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
When the Mustang hit the street, Dodge saw a need to offer a Pony car, but they wanted something that stood out from the crowd. The Charger was largely based on the Coronet but provided unique looks and blurred the lines between the Pony, personal luxury, and Muscle car. While you could option your Charger with a thrifty 318 V8, what you really wanted was one of the high-performance big block engines. This beautiful example started life with the high output 383 V8, but at some point in its life, it was upgraded to a 440! It’s been in storage since the seller’s husband passed away about 10 years ago, but it still looks great and is ready to drive.
1966 was the first year for the Charger, so Dodge was still testing the market. Engine options ranged from the 230 horsepower 318 V8 up to the Hemi 426. The 383 V8 was the option to get if you wanted a street car that didn’t break the bank. This example also received the 4-speed manual transmission, power brakes, and power steering. Chargers were all well equipped from the factory, with vinyl-wrapped bucket seats front and rear, a full-length center console, and a full range of instruments.
The interior presents nicely, although there are a few flaws. The seats are free of cracks or damage, but there is some discoloration from sun exposure. Some cracks show on the door panels, and some of the trim panels also have sun damage. The dash and gauges look to be in good condition, without any signs of damage or cracking. While it isn’t Concours-ready, this interior looks usable as is. The color combination and the wood pistol grip shifter are fantastic!
The fender badges are still the original High Performance 383 units. The 440 wasn’t available in the Charger until 1967 and offered a healthy boost in power over the 4-barrel 383. Initially, this Mopar would have been packing about 330 horsepower and 424 foot-pounds of torque. The 4-barrel 440 built from ’67 to ’71 was rated at 375 horsepower and 480 foot-pounds of torque. The seller doesn’t know much about the history of the car but states that the engine starts and runs. The radiator has been upgraded to an aluminum unit, presumably to help better cool the 440.
Given what it is and the situation, we sent one of our professional photographers over to take the photos. They took lots of great pictures for us so you can get an idea of the car’s overall condition. It looks like an older restoration that has held up well. There’s some surface rust showing underneath, so be sure to take a look at all the photos below.
This Charger looks like a great find and should be a fun driver. It will likely need some service work to get it back into top condition, but parts are readily available. Cosmetically, it looks to be in decent condition, with only a few small flaws. We would service it, replace consumables, detail it and drive it! What about you? Be sure to leave any questions you have for the seller below!
Bid On This Auction
irwin bid $22,000.00 2025-02-26 08:28:34
BillyBo bid $20,000.00 2025-02-25 14:28:24
Starfiremario bid $13,250.00 2025-02-25 13:08:41
Bowes24 bid $12,750.00 2025-02-25 11:11:51- irwin bid $12,250.00 2025-02-25 10:55:35
- Bowes24 bid $11,500.00 2025-02-25 10:36:51
- irwin bid $11,000.00 2025-02-23 17:41:41
DHT Melbourne, Fl. bid $10,000.00 2025-02-23 15:03:16- irwin bid $9,000.00 2025-02-22 17:14:12
- DHT Melbourne, Fl. bid $8,000.00 2025-02-22 13:19:42
Kevin bid $7,500.00 2025-02-20 08:54:47
day1rt bid $4,000.00 2025-02-20 08:50:43
chieftbird bid $2,500.00 2025-02-20 08:41:09
ABrink56 bid $1,000.00 2025-02-19 19:06:16
I know the 68-70s are the most beloved, but I think the luminiscent gauge cluster on the 66 and esp.67s almost make up for what lacks on exterior looks compared to the 68-70. This particular Charger lacks nothing. Those offset but period correct wheels fill out those massive wheelwells nicely. And you just cant beat black. Plus its a 3 pedal car!
The gauges were impressive at night, even the needles had individual wires to charge them up. Eventually one would break off from fatigue, and the whole instrument cluster would go dark. This Charger was inspired by a show car, and Chrysler invested quite a bit in the revolving headlight assemblies. While Ford used vacuum, the Charger employed a complicated set up of electric motors and controls.
Interesting, the rear styling so similar to first (65 🤔) Baracuda. A fast back attack. Actually IMO both were far better in appearance than the next generations. Photos are great. Seats seem to wearing covers. What’s under them? I’m sure I’m in the minority, but the manual transmission makes it a Bye 👋 Bye 👋 as I CHARGE on to my beloved LAND YACHTS! 😉 This is what old guys do with too much time and avoiding going out in the COLD.
No seat covers…
Not stock seats. They had horizontal pleats on the seat and back cushions. Dont look like the right shape either.
Always like the first year. Would like to see the rear seats down and the trunk open. Need to know the headlamps work as well. Been a long time, what’s the t-handle control next to the ignition switch? Not enough money and not enough time left…although…
The T-handle control is the inside hood release. The brochure shows it on the other side, but apparently it was moved at some point during production.
I’m not that crazy over this body style but this car is an eye catcher,right color,right interior,right stance,somebody took care of this one and it looks it!
Camino, love the 383 badges too. Never hurts to under promise and over deliver at the street light 🚥🏁
You had more engine options on these first Chargers. You could special order them with a slant -6, and they also came factory with a 273. These, and the 68-70 units, are the only Chargers I really like.
What, don’t like the 024 based ones?
Uh…no. I used to drive an Omni.
Didn’t we all? Ya know, a stage 2 turbo Charger would give this one a run for its money. Its all in how you look at it.
The 318 was the base engine.
I like these year chargers the best, although I did think they were butt ugly for all but the last 10 years.
This is a sweet combination
This year Charger is when Dodge produced a real car.
I have always enjoyed the sharply designed lines of the interior. And, the exterior as well.
This example appears to have been babied during its lifetime. The underside photos appear as though at sometime in the past it could have been in one of the “salt” states.
If I were to own the car I would consider a rotisserie restoration.
Very nice example. Best of luck to all.
If wishes for fishes I’d have a fry.
It looks like it was a Colorado car at some point based on the front license plate, so I imagine it’s probably seen some salted winter roads in it’s day. It is a really nice car though and probably a blast to drive.
Our roads aren’t salted here in Colorado.
Per Colorado DOT, they use salt, sand, liquid de-icers to clear roads.
https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/maintenance-faq
My memory fails me a little more each day as I go through life, but I seem to recall this being on the boards before. That is unless there are to widow’s in Florida with this same care. Last time it didn’t sell ?
LOVE IT ALL and being a fast back makes it even MOBETTA.. Dang there are way too many temptations in here. NOW if my movie offer comes true about my 2nd bokk….OBOY!
Seat upholstery looks rather plain. Like the owner took it to Luigi, the same upholsterer that does all the New York City taxis in plain, unadorned naugahyde. In one photo, we can see the hog rings used to stretch the material.
Yes redone and not even close to stock seats.
Wow, just Wow!
My favorite Charger. Good luck with the auction.
That’s one beautiful Charger. I had a ’66. Never did get the dash lights working properly.
Fastback styling, 440 and a four speed. Very desirable driver type muscle car with a bit more panache than say a base Roadrunner. GLWTS.
W A Y more Mr. Carbob. More than some cars 20 years newer.
2nd. car my wife and I bought ourselves was a pastel yellow 66 with white interior.440 4 speed, wife grew up driving stick, her father only bought Studebakers with sticks she was afraid of it at first.She came home one morning after working midnights (nurse)told me about young man in Chevelle who kept trying to get her to race said she ignored as long as she could next light she smiled at him guess he was ready to race, light changes he’s smoking tires she rolls it then hits the gas and by the time she hit 3rd. gear had passed him and was braking for next light.lol he turned off before he got to the light.
The upholstery doesn’t look right, mine had embossed pattern in it, lower part of back was embossed, and strip along top 4 in. was like roll and pleat really nice looking. Originally car was a hemi,but long gone, blown up, rods through block, so guy bought a 440 out of wrecked Coronet, this was in 74, had to sell first kid on way.Boy what I would give to have it back.Was more fun than 70 hemi Cuda I bought when I worked at dealer, to go drag racing, lasted as long as I wasn’t married.ha ha
You’re right, the original seats were done in a pleated vinyl, much sharper looking than these seat covers.,
I love these cars from the time my Dad and I looked at them new in the showroom. Those interior seats are not stock. Covered or redone. Stock seats had the pleats going horizontally. I would go back to the poverty caps and stock wheels and put different chrome tips on the exhaust. Great can I would love to have it.
These Chargers never came with poverty caps. Quite the opposite- their wheel covers were heavy costly affairs, and stylish, with spinners no less.
I used to hang out with a group of Mopar guys (Cuda’s Coronets, etc) back in the late 60’s-early 70’s. We all had manual shift (except for 1 guy). I don’t remember seeing the pistol grip shifter until 1968. I’m wondering if this is stock item or a swapped in from a later model?
No pistol grip in 1966 they came out on the 1970 models.
The reserve is off!
This iconic first Gen Charger appears to have good bones, but could use a thorough refresh or, a more ambitious frame on resto. Anything beyond that would put you under water faster than it would take for the headlight doors to open and close.
We are down to the final hour! If you have any last second questions, please let us know. Happy bidding and good luck!
This is a great car. Strong engine, ground shaking big girl. I want her to go to a good loving home. She’s in great shape, not perfect but a show stopper nonetheless. She’s very special to me. 🙏🏼😥💔
What a deal. I’d have been a buyer if I didn’t already own one!
Twins are always cheaper..?
LOL I have identical boys, I have too much of everything. It’ll be interesting when they start getting into cars.
No salt in Colorado. They use lava rocks. Here in PA, the idiots make roads a salt mine.
They use salt, sand and a chemical brine.
See the Colorado DOT website
https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/maintenance-faq