Dodge released the Charger in 1966, a slick fastback version of their B-bodied intermediates. To me, it resembled AMC’s Marlin, which went down a similar path for 1965-67. The first-gen Chargers were a modest success at 53,000 units across both years, but more than tripled that with the 1968 redesign. The seller’s first-year Charger is a running project with matching numbers and a 383 cubic inch V8. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this rough & ready Mopar is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $7,200, and the seller’s reserve is unmet.
The 1966-67 Charger was perhaps Dodge’s response to the hot Ford Mustang in fastback form. But Dodge elected to go with a mid-size body rather than creating their version of the Plymouth Barracuda. A V8 engine was standard, as were bucket seats in both the front and back (so only four passengers were accommodated) and a full-length console. The original owner of this Mopar opted for a 383 V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor.
Early Chargers are harder to find than the more popular 1968-70 iterations. And locating one that hasn’t already been restored or is a rust bucket increases the size of the challenge. We’re told this Dodge is a runner and has been taken out on the road for test driving. The mileage isn’t clear because the dash cluster no longer functions.
Except for rust in one small area and a dent, the seller says the body on this Charger is solid. The dashboard is the roughest part of the interior, and the upholstery is original and in need of some attention. The Dodge Rebellion (remember the campaign?) started around the time the Charger was introduced, so the car was prominently featured in Mopar advertising.
Nice.
Wish they would have showed the dent,always loved these first year Chargers,especially with the 383 original engine.
Like the wheels and tires. Something about the wide rear tires on these early chargers just transforms them into race cars in my mind. Like the color and bumble bee stripe too!
Lovely looking car. Assuming the car runs like it should, I’d keep as much as original as possible, while also upgrading certain things. I don’t know exactly what. I’m not a fan of the aftermarket gauges underneath the dash.
Was this originally a white painted car from the factory?
Yes ; it has a poor paint job on it . white with the red interior would look very sharp
take the high bid and call it a day. needs a lot of work.
One night in Iowa, she and I in a borrowed car , when driving in the summer, promises on every star……..
My Dad had a 66 Charger with a 318. Loved the luminous dash gauges! Driving back from grandparents I’d lie down in the back and watch the stars through that massive fast back window!
Pretty sure the 66 charger came with hideaway headlights? Must be a coronet front clip?
My Dads had hideaway headlights. Good thing he was a NASA Electrical Engineer to keep them working!
All ’66-’67 Chargers have hidden headlights. They rarely work properly. These are in the open position
I see now. Didn’t realize they were rotating headlamps. Just watched a video and can understand the difficulty on fixing them