The 1966 model is where it all began for the Dodge Charger, and while many fans favor the second-generation cars it’s always a good day when one of our readers spots a first-year example. That’s what happened here when Mitchell G. found this one here on Facebook Marketplace, and we’d like to thank him for sending us the tip! One really good thing about the first and second-year Chargers is they often exchange hands for less than many of their later counterparts, with the seller here hoping to pocket $13,500 which doesn’t sound outrageous, so if you’ve been in the market for an early B-Body this may be a decent candidate. Plan on making your way toward Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania to see the car in person.
Dodge was taking note of the growing pony car market but realized luxury coupes were also gaining ground in popularity, so they set out to build a larger and more upscale car which was sort of a combo of the two. The first Chargers had the fastback design, which was kind of cool on the inside if you had lots of cargo as the rear seats folded down to create extra space in addition to the trunk area. You also got a console that extended way back.
The seller claims he’s the car’s third owner and purchased it from a flipper shop crew, the second caretakers, with the original buyer being a working man who used the car as his daily driver. The Charger is stated to be as original as can be, so maybe that’s still the factory paint although it looks like an amateur attempt was made to repair the passenger side quarter panel. We don’t get to view the driver’s side really close-up, but it looks like there might be some rust starting to come through in the lower areas. Some good news is the taillight lens is intact and unbroken.
Under the hood is a 318 cubic inch V8, the entry-level motor for the first-year Charger. The owner doesn’t say for certain that it’s the numbers-matching engine, but does mention it’s got a refurbished Carter carburetor and that the car runs and drives fine, though I thought it was interesting that the grass was mowed around the car.
Inside, the top of the dash is looking a bit baked with some cracks, and who knows what the front seats look like under those covers. But the 4 gauges are still present, and if they’re working properly the ’66 Chargers have beautiful dash lights at night. We aren’t shown any photos from underneath, but with the rusty quarters, I’d probably ask for some or at least inquire before getting too serious. Is this a ’66 Charger you’d have any interest in restoring?
Always liked these, always…
Agree, they were always cool. Best wheel covers ever.
Heaviest wheel covers ever.
I agree, these are very likable cars and so unappreciated.
These early b-bodies are the next Duster price wise. Remember when you could buy a 340 4 speed a few years back for a song? I bought a beautiful 1973 Stock 340 4 speed with factory air (54000 miles) in it in 2009 for $12000 which was somewhat expensive for those at that time. Should have never had sold it. Now look at the prices. $40,000 for a decent 340 Duster!? Again, these 66/67″models are a bargain today. If I had the room, I’d buy this one in a heartbeat though my wife would probably make me sleep in it if I buy one more car! The center console and 4 buckets make sitting in the back a treat. 3 on the tree? Love it. The 66 and 67 b-bodied mopars are not appreciated as much as they should be. The prices are always much cheaper then 68s and up. They are the same car throughout except the looks.
Unfortunately I live in South Florida so I would have to drop a Sanden AC unit into it. My ride is a 66 Plymouth Satellite 440 4 speed. Im going to add AC to it this summer so I can stop roasting in traffic!
My favorite year Charger 1966. Had a neighbor growing up had a White one with Black vinyl seats. Was a great looking car!
Those bucket seats in the rear are odd, but really cool.
They are a bit odd but you gotta love the ingenuity of putting four bucket seats into a Charger. If I was a kid, I would love sitting in the back for a road trip. No kid would be complaining about being stuck in the middle!
The only problem in 1966 is that most families had three kids, many coming from the Baby Boomers generation like me. Born in 64 which was the last year for the boomers and I had two sisters so the Charger wasn’t an option for my parents. My dad was into muscle cars with Corvettes at the top of his list. No, we cruised vacations in Toronados and my favorite, an Olds Vista Cruiser. Of course what kid didn’t like sitting in the back facing traffic like a Plymouth! Im a mopar fanatic so this Charger would be in my driveway if I only had room for one more car! My ride is a 66 Satellite 440 4 speed.
I like these wheel covers but to me they come in 2nd to the 65 & 66 Impala SS covers with the spinners. The SS in the center was glass. I used to buy them for $5 apiece, now a decent used set of 4 is over $200.
Never cared for the roofline on these…did the engineers copy the roofline of the Rambler Marlin, or was it the other way around?
I have always thought the same thing, who was first the Charger or Marlin. Everyone is guilty of stealing styling ques from one another, but from a distance the rear and side angles or pretty hard to distinguish. This could be a good deal if it’s not too rusty and the price is negotiable. It doesn’t have hidden headlights, not sure if they were available in 66, and that would be deal breaker for me.
Picture 11 shows headlight covers down
It does have hidden headlights. There is a front end pic on the original ad showing them closed.
Now that you mention, It does kinda have the shape of a Labrador hunkered up to pinch one off!
Somewhat of a rarity being a stick on the column, but has the optional 318 V-8 motor. The lack of options (i.e. power steering and brakes) makes me think that this may have been an ordered car. If that is the case restore it back to original, so there would be some reference points for folks looking to restore one.
This is my favorite iteration of the Charger. I’ve been told it’s difficult to get replacement parts for this model.
stand out from the crowd
I’ve never seen a column shift 3 speed manual with these.
BJ
These did not have hidden headlight “doors” to cover the headlight. They actually spun around, much like a Corvette .
What year vette? Mine just popup by vacuum same as the wipers.
1963 Vette thru 1967
Best looking body style to wear the Charger nameplate
“oh come on mike the charger 2.2 was way sweeter” he says as he runs back out of the thread quick a a flash.
i love the long console and fold down rear buckets in these.
and yes the got it right the first time. i would not chase her out of the yard if she found her way in.
If the dash lights don’t work, you’ll never find replacements.
They work off a transformer at 110 volts
I owned a ’66. yes, hard to find parts for it. This one looks like the springs are up through the trunk floor.
I own a ’67, which has some slight differences from this one, with a 383-4bbl A-833 setup from the factory. Some common misconceptions: the headlights rotate 180-deg in the grill, and this setup was standard for the Charger. The motors usually burn up when one of the four limit switches fails. Three relays behind the glove box control the rotation when things are working, but each side has its own motor, so sometimes you will see the car winking at you. The instrument illumination is electroluminescent – no bulbs. Earlier Chryslers from 1960-1 had the same system, as well as the J-body Imperial. A power inverter converts 12VDC to 200VAC. A large capacitor on the power pack, also behind the glove box, will fail. You can get a new one from Digikey and solder it in.
I have owned mine for 39 years and at times it has been my daily driver. It is a comfortable car and the roof makes for a quiet ride. Over about 130mph the rear end gets light because of the shape of the car. I have slept in the back of that car more times than I can remember. I have made some mods, but all can be reversed as desired (15″ wheels, modern disk brakes when parts for the 67 setup were unobtanium in the late 80’s, etc). As a New England car it has rust underneath, but that is part of its charm. The body looks good and the interior is still okay, although it could use a restoration it will likely not receive any time soon with a son entering college, etc. Next year….
Always confused these, in the late-’60s, with the AMC Marlin. The Charger and the Marlin were/are sleek-looking and beautiful.
Looks like this Charger has the older “Poly” 318 engine. Should be fun with the standard trans!
In 1966, Did the 3 speed manual have synchronized first gear?
Many (or most?) Fords in the 60s had non-syncro first.
What a pain…
Interesting this gen charger came only with 4 bucket seats & mandatory full length console! Or am i wrong?
Maybe the reason for poor sales? What if you had 3 kids?
Was there a comparable Plymouth or even Chrysler with such an interior?
Did Dodge build any prototype chargers with bench seat front & back, or at least a bench seat in back?
Similar 4 seats & full length console & even the same exact gages from the concept!! (can i assume this was crushed?) …
https://www.carstyling.ru/ru/car/1965_dodge_charger_ii/