OK, all you Mopar fans, here’s your chance to get in on a 1966 Dodge Charger that’s been reduced by almost half its original asking price. Such a deal? Well, that’s debatable, as this is a sorta outdoor car. But a first-gen Charger is always worth a looksee, so let’s give this one its due. Soperton, Georgia, is where you’ll find this iconic, first-year Dodge intermediate, and it’s listed here on craigslist for $3,200, marked down from $6,300. Kudos to PRA4SNW for this tip!
The story around Dodge’s fabulous Charger is an oft-told tale. There was one two-door, fastback body style in ’66, and one trim level; sales amounted to 37K units. Oddly, the virtually identical ’67 edition mustered less than half of the ’66’s production total. The seller tells us, “For all you Mopar lovers, here is a great car to restore. I don’t have the time to restore it myself. My loss, your gain!!” And that’s it! So, it’s dented, rusty, and missing its rear wheels, window, and windshield. And that’s just what we can tell from the four included exterior pictures. What we don’t know is what the underside or this car’s structural integrity is like; experience, however, suggests that finding a car in a field, on blocks, usually isn’t a good start.
The interior was, at one time, a real standout with its four white vinyl upholstered bucket seats, separated by a full-length center console. It’s now a repository for dreck and detritus, some of which is indescribable. I suppose there are some usable parts here, but what’s unseen is the cause for concern.
While still in possession of a 230 325-gross HP 318 383 CI V8 engine, it’s unlikely that it has been operational since the turn of the century. There’s some obvious missing stuff, like the radiator, but the engine image doesn’t reveal enough detail to make a functional assessment. It would be nice to know if the powerplant will at least turn over, but in the long-term scheme of things, it probably doesn’t matter. It’s not stated, but I imagine a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission is still on the job. This is an A/C equipped car, but its condition will be the least of the next owner’s worries.
So, “My loss, your gain!!” Well, that depends on how you view this non-rolling project. Yeah, it may well be the seller’s loss, but the potential buyer’s gain may occur by avoiding being that next owner. As you all know, there’s no free lunch, and “great” deals on a sixties vintage Mopar are more than likely just a pipe dream. But tell me what you really think: is this ’66 Dodge Charger a worthy effort and salvageable?
Well, it’s “half priced” because it’s half there.
On the plus side there’s probably a family of raccoons living in the trunk so at least you’ll be getting some fresh meat out of the deal,…
As Jethro would say, “Raccoon always tastes better the next day!”
It’s actually has a big block in it – most likely a 383…..if it matters….
No, thats the pre LA 318. They look wider. Thats a poly 318. Still a great engine. Otherwise, junk it. The price is crazy, eventually I bet a grqand would not be far off the final sale price.
Oh boy, might be a big block. Could I be wrong? Gosh, that never happens!!!!!
When I read half priced rusted out charger, I was expecting at least $12K…heck this is a steal!
No kidding!
After watching these BF posts for a while, the Mopar (and GTO) crowd seems to be in their own pricing bubble. Sometimes what they actually pay on eBay seems to be crazy, often for not very exceptional stuff, except that it is “big block, numbers-matching”. It is astounding and kind of cult-like, really, but it’s their money.
So what if the numbers match? Stuff that is re-built from junk parts is never going to garner much money because the originality is always suspect. Shortcuts and “make do” is the order of the day in that world.
It’s actually not sustainable going forward as the muscle car crowd ages. Sure, there are just a few Hemi ‘cuda convertibles around, and a few other top notch pieces, but otherwise, there is way too much run-of-the-mill product chasing a dwindling market. Sixty year old guys are not taking on projects anymore.
A lot of the owners got into these years ago at reasonable prices, and are just looking for a score in a hot market. More power. Get what you can.
It’s the guys paying these prices that will be left holding the bag when these cult-driven prices are no longer sustainable as buyers vanish.
That’s definitely a 383 in there’s. The water pump is a dead giveaway.
You are correct! I guess I shouldn’t have taken the seller’s word that it is a 318. The F code in the VIN identifies it as a 383 and the spark plug wires do emanate from the front of the engine as they would on a B-block.
Thx.
JO
Well, thanks for telling us you don’t have a clue. That’s a 318.
It’s a A/C car Needs another for a parts car to make one.
Looked at one like it setting up on blocks in someone’s front yard back in the late 80s with no engine or rear end, the front fender had a chrome emblem on it that said 426.
Many of those elephants were pulled for drag car or drag boats when the bodies rotted. The idea of such great value with original engines was not a thing then. I think they had it right, actually. Might be a BB
What a fun hobby, so full of hope and a quick buck when there is none to be had.
Another race to $0….the “seller” has not yet gotten to the CAGI (come and get it) status. A few more critter nests and tin worm will help it along.
There is one more level below CAGI. That the PSTRI status (pay someone to remove it). That when it has to be removed from the the property due to a sale of the property.
In the meantime, someone who could possibly use a few pieces of it won’t pay $3200 for the opportunity, along with the and hassle of getting it to where it needs to be.
So it rots away in the meantime.
I wonder if any of the glass for this is still available somewhere.
are the concrete blocks included ? That could be a deal breaker for me. I’m sure many animals have camped out in that car.
VIN Code XP29F decodes as a Charger, 383 engine.
“61” – 6 for1966, 1 for built at the Lynch Road, Detroit plant.
Bobby D is correct, also it appears the distributor is at the front. passenger side of the block, a feature of a B block.
All small blocks, 273, 318 la, 340, 360 had rear mounted distributors and all B engines, 361 383, 400 and RB engines 426 and 440 Wedges and the romping, stomping 426 Hemi are front mount distributors, The 318 poly head engine had a rear mount distributor as did the early Hemi’s. front mount distributors are great, easier to work on and better firewall clearance.
Rotsa ruck. Spend 100k restoring it and then sell it for 30k.
Run! Run far away from this disaster!
a lot of model only specific parts here. seems like a good deal if you have 1 of these.
where is the windows
I bought this exact car new. Great everyday car. some a hole t-boned me If I was younger, I’d look at it
Well, that’s the thing with these 1960s muscle cars. Everyone that is slightly interested isn’t buying into problems like this. The buyer pool now has too many other problems to deal with.
If they buy anything, it’s a decent driver.
Sellers can list these all day long, and they do, but we’re now in the era of endless project/parts cars, many with no takers at any price.
‘66….it was a very good year. Too many rainy night in Georgia with missing glass. $50,000 buys a really nice 426 hemi version.
Not anymore, 100K + now
You’re not touching anything with a 426 Hemi for under 100k
I think it was like $3200 out the door.
I personally think the 66 and 67 Chargers are hideous, Look like the God awful AMC Marlin. Being this car is from Georgia it might be very solid and worth the time to check it out if local. One thing that would be cool is a accurate streetable Hemi NASCAR clone.
Parts car … maybe
A/C car I’d buy it right now. I’d have the room because if I bring home one more project the wife would be gone
This is a VERY early 1966 model. You can tell by the antenna center dash caps. ~3 months into production they switched to volcano center caps that continued into 1967 ( with vastly different wiring harnesses).