For many enthusiasts of the Dodge Charger, it’s often the second-generation cars that seem to create most of the wow factor, and they certainly are deserving of a high level of praise and fanfare. However, 1966 is where it all began for the model, and the first-gen cars have plenty of great things to offer as well, especially ones that came equipped from the factory with a 426 Hemi. This 1966 Dodge Charger here on eBay is one such example, and we’d like to express our gratitude to reader T.J. for first spotting it and sending us the tip! This one’s been cleaned up and had the necessary work performed to make the car a nice driver, although it probably wouldn’t take a huge amount of effort for this powerful Mopar to rise above that status. Celeste, Texas, is home to this first-year Charger, and so far, the current bid of $45,100 hasn’t reached the reserve.
Fortunately, a quick check of the VIN shows the coveted letter H as the fifth digit. That signifies a factory Hemi car, and the monster engine here is stated to be the born-with component, with a Hemi-specific 727 automatic transmission. The two carbs are said to have been rebuilt, plus there’s also a new fuel system, along with a fresh dual exhaust featuring Flowmaster mufflers. This Charger is stated to be running and driving great, and the front brakes are also mentioned as brand new, so bringing the 425 horsepower to a stop quickly shouldn’t be much of a problem.
One respray has been performed during the Charger’s life, and it must have been early, as the seller states, considering the amount of wear and patina showing on the hood, roof, and trunk. It’s also said that this one’s been garaged since the eighties, with the sheet metal stated to have never been rusty, so hopefully, there won’t be much outside prep work necessary before this Charger is ready for some fresh blue paint. Those with a keen eye might notice the fender-mounted turn signals, which weren’t introduced until 1967, with the owner confirming that these components were added at some point.
The owner describes the interior as being 100% original, right down to the carpet, and it still looks very good considering things inside are nearing the 60-year mark. The driver’s seat could use some new upholstery, but otherwise, I’d probably leave everything else alone in here. It’s nice to see that the lights on each side of the console are working, and also noteworthy that the original wheel and spare tire are said to still be inside the trunk. A 1966 Dodge Charger with its factory Hemi engine under the hood is one desirable Mopar, and I’m curious where the reserve may be set. What are your thoughts on this one, and what’s a reasonable price to pay here?
Personally, not my favorite body style, but the price of admission here will be steep and deservedly so.
It’s on the dealers website for $72,500. This dealer has been featured on this site countless times, they have a system set up to find really cool unrestored cars, then slap an extremely high price on them. They are good at finding cars, I saw a YouTube video from some Mopar enthusiast in California that do their leg work in Northern California, the first thing you see on their website is “Sell Your Vehicle”, a friend that owned his own business liked to say, you make your money (profit) when you buy, not when you sell.
Steve R
The old saying “takes money to make money”
Agree – the other duo including the Jeep guy Dennis – of the Texas Marc Walscom’s……
The concealed headlight grille would really add to this one! GLWTA!! :-)
It does have the concealed headlight grille. Dodge used a rotating assembly with a blank grille on one side and fully-trimmed headlights on the other. It’s one of few hidden headlight cars that doesn’t look “unfinished” when the headlights are on.
First gens are not my cup of tea, but add a hemi and black interior it isn’t so bad. $45K now we will see… Wish it had a 4 speed. Love the electro-luminious gauges. Marc.
Beautiful car. I’ve always loved this generation Dodge Charger. I like the patina. As long as there’s no rust or rust holes in the body or the chassis, I’d be willing to pay around the asking price, whatever that may be. Any patina can be cleaned up and repainted.
Love the extended console & 4 buckets on this year…
We bought an old Sears house with patina in 1983 for the same price bid so far for this Dodge with patina. Still in the old house.
My first car, bought on my eighteenth birthday, was a 426 Hemi equipped 67 Charger, Copper Metallic with a 727 Torqueflite.
I sure do miss her.
0For those of us that are wondering what this car sold for in 66 , a friend of mine bought one from the dealer , it was a rose colour with white interior and was one of 3 built that colour . The car was purchased for a few hundred $$$ over $6,000 . He traded the car in the following year for a 67 GTX powered with a 440 that he claimed was faster . Both cars were automatics and priced in the same neighbourhood . Gears on delivery were 3:23 . You could hit passing gear at 100 m.p.h. and it pulled like crazy up to 140 m.p.h. then he lifted his foot off the throttle because his knuckles were blue .Im sure he misses his too RP.
Sorry, there is no American, V8 car from this era that would do 140 mph with 3.23 gears. Didn’t happen. Physically, impossible. The engine would have been spinning 10K rpm’s.
Oh, and there is no way of telling how many were built in any particular color…but, I can guarantee a lot more than three, lol!!!
Had my 68 Charger to 150 mph
Micheal, this is a simple math problem, there are gear ratio calculators online. I used the one from Summit Racing, if you plug in 3.23 gears, a 26” tall tire at 6,000 rpm with with no over drive you will be going 143.74 mph. If you came up with something difference when you ran your numbers would you let us know how or which calculator you used.
Steve R
Had a beautiful 69′ Charger R/T and I have always loved the 1st gen. Chargers though the 2nd gen. is my favorite. Overall looks like a very solid car and I know the Hemi is the high dollar ticket, but personally if I had a first gen. I’d take a nice 67′ with a 440ci.
fix the seats and drive like you stole it. sure, hope that the gauge cluster works or it will be very expensive to fix
Very nice rare Charger here and agree with other comments just fix the seats and drive it, I do like the very detailed pictures in the add!
They usually sell in $125,000 range for a 1st gen Hemi Charger
Ended at $56,101.
Reserve Not Met.
45 bids.
They have since re-listed it with a BIN of $72,500 and took an offer.
Steve R
I was just watching a recent episode of Graveyard Carz and they were restoring a ’66 Charger Hemi 4 speed. It was the first of this generation of Charger that they ever restored.
They were amazed at the electroluminescent gauge cluster that they sent out for a full restoration. Everybody also loved the interior with the full length console, four full buckets, and fold down rear seats.
While Mark was test driving it when finished, he remarked at how smooth it drove compared to the other Mopar hemi cars they have done. And also said that it was a 50K car compared the the other later Hemis that can reach up to a million.
Those are all of the reasons why the first gen Chargers are my favorite.