When Dodge introduced the first-generation Charger to the buying public in 1966, I’m guessing they had no idea what a success story that nameplate would hold for the Chrysler Corporation throughout automotive history. Now in its seventh generation, it’s kind of interesting to note that the first-generation Chargers had the shortest production run of any batch produced, lasting only two years from 1966 through 1967. The first two years featured the Charger as a fastback model, with a four bucket seat interior, and plenty of room for cargo with the rear seats folded down. Initial sales were not so impressive, and nice surviving first-generation examples are not exactly plentiful these days. If you are in the market for an early B-Body, this 1967 Dodge Charger would definitely be worth taking a look at. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, it can be seen here on eBay with a current bid of $18,100 and 2 days to go at the time of this writing. The reserve price has not yet been reached.
The fastback body sometimes seems like a love it or hate it among Charger enthusiasts, and while quite a bit sleeker and mean-looking, it has always kind of reminded me a little bit of the AMC Marlin design of the sixties. OK, you can ridicule me for comparing these 2 cars in the comments if you want to, I’m just pointing out that fastbacks did have their place in automotive history. Ford even made a Mustang fastback in the early seventies. But let’s get back to the Charger being offered here.
Judging from all the photos, it’s really hard to find much to fault about this 1967 Dodge Charger. The exterior finish is gold and there do not appear to be any obvious flaws in the paint or on the body panels. Inside, the seats and door panels are also gold with a black dashboard and black carpeting, all of which look to be tidy and well preserved. The odometer is showing 69,000 miles although the seller says that the total mileage is unknown. There’s also A/C for passenger comfort and an AM radio to crank out some oldies tunes, many of which were probably current hits when this Charger was new!
Things are looking pretty sweet under the hood as well, with a rebuilt 383 cubic inch V8 paired to an automatic transmission. The engine is said to have had the bottom end bearings replaced and the cylinder heads refurbished during the rebuild, and an Edelbrock carburetor and MSD ignition coil have also been added. The Charger rides on staggered width 15 inch American Racing wheels with BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, 215/70 upfront with 275/60 in the rear.
Something I always appreciate is at least one photo of the car’s underside. The seller posted two pictures of the south side of this Charger, and there do not appear to be any obvious issues that need to be dealt with lurking below. And who doesn’t dig a pair of air shocks! What are your thoughts on this 1967 Dodge Charger? Any ideas about where the bidding will end up?
I am one of the few that prefer the first generation Charger over the later ones. I think Chrysler was building better cars during this era and it seems they gave their engineering department more leeway. For instance this is the last time electroluminescent gauges were offered. The car has more of a European flair much like the early Buick Riviera’s. Gold maybe not everyone’s liking but it works for me as does the 383. Sounds like they did a light reconditioning on the engine. Hopefully they saw the cylinder bores still looked like new rather than let’s do it on the cheap just to make it across the sale. I would do away with the air shocks. If it sits low I would by new springs.
I agree. I love the 1st generation Dodge Charger. I find it way better looking than later generation Charger models.
Looks like the rear end was jacked up with the shocks so replacing them would probably get it back to level. Helped a friend repaint one of these and by the time we got done with prep and paint we felt like we’d painted a freight train. It’s a large car. Nice example here.
Grab this rare and nice Charger
That gold paint really pops love this early Charger.
You need those air shocks! If you fold the rear seats down and open the trunk panel you can haul 4×8 plywood or drywall flat in there.
While I prefer 68 and 69 Chargers, Chrysler quality was better say from 1963 to 1967, same as GM. 68 GM cars total junk. Rust, lousy oil burning engines and terrible paint and body fit.
Never having been a big Mopar fan, there are a few Chrysler products I do like, and the first generation Charger is one of them. I like the 4 buckets seats and full console of the ’66. Also, this was a time of fastback design on many cars, and the rear seat would fold down giving a boatload of cargo space. The ’64 Plymouth Barracuda was like that.
Design wise this car has everything I like…. hidden headlights and parking lights, wall to wall taillights, fastback styling and of course that great interior.
The only Chrysler product I ever owned was a 1971 Imperial LeBaron 2 door hardtop.
If funds were available I’d go for this Charger.
Best looking body style to wear the Charger nameplate.
Agree with the 1st gen…..
A friend of mine bought a 1966 with a 426 hemi in it with the torque flite automatic and 3:23 gears in the back . I remember he paid $6500 for it brand new . That car was fantastic to ride in . We were going to Toronto when he said watch this as he accelerated up to 100 mph barely pushing the gas pedal down . When the car got to 100 he pushed the gas pedal to the floor and the transmission dropped into passing gear and pinned me in the seat . Incredible feeling from the progressive linkage dual quad powered hemi which was under rated at 450 hp from the factory in 1966 . Not bad by todays standards considering the cars that the factory produces today but back then this was the pinnacle of factory power and for a street car . For me at the age of 17 it was a mind blowing experience that gave birth to my need for speed and to this day I thank him for doing that . Things were different then and you could get away with doing that stuff because speed traps and radar , and bears in the air didn’t exist yet .
Stan, the MSRP on a ’66 Charger was $3122 plus the HEMI at $880 puts it at $4002. Add tax and license and it’s $4500.00
A very rare car today, probably (depending on condition) worth north of 75K
I got my first 66 back in 84,I was 14 years old and worked on it till I got my license. Drove it every where. Put it away and brought a 69 barracuda 340 4spd.
Brought my second 66 as a parts car today the parts car would be worth a fortune.
Kept my 66 and the Cuda for 12+ years then storage for 2 cars I couldn’t afford to work on and my second daughter. They were sold and my first house brought. When I win the lottery and I will assign as istart playing.
I’ll replace both of them.
Paul , maybe the difference is that I am talking in Canadian dollars , in any case I am not calculating what it may have cost because I was actually there when he brought it home brand new from the dealer . Stay safe .
This has always been my favourite generation for the Dodge Charger. The only 2nd gen Charger I like is the 1969 year. Unless I’m mistaken, a 1969 Charger was used in the TV series “The Dukes of Hazzard”.
Great Car!
What is not mentioned in the ad or on the write up is how exceedingly rare it is to have a column shift. I’ve been a first gen charger owner and fan for 15 years and I’ve never seen another. 1966 had the full length console vs 1967 introduced a split console. Never seen a column shift tho!
I like the column mounted gear selector. I think most subsequent Chargers had column mounted gear selector.