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Lead the Rebellion! 1966 Dodge Charger 440

Years before a certain 1969 Dodge Charger famously wore a Rebel Flag on its roof, Dodge called the’66 Charger the “Leader of the Dodge Rebellion.” This particular 1966 Dodge Charger in Manchester, Connecticut seeks a new owner here on craigslist.org where $7500 is all it takes to lead the rebellion. Described as largely solid and having benefited from many replacement parts, this first-year Charger needs some finishing touches before terrorizing the roads again. Thanks to reader FordGuy1972 for spotting this oversized fastback.

Though based on the Coronet sedan, the Charger gained a unique dashboard and nifty 2+2 interior with front-to-rear console, a one-year feature. The aftermarket tachometer and B&M shifter suggest a focus on acceleration. A generally-sturdy three-speed 727 automatic handles gear changes. Front seats have been recovered and the rears are claimed to be in good shape.

The non-original 440 wears some aftermarket goodies and should provide hours of entertainment. Dodge didn’t offer the mighty 440 cid (7.2L) V8 in a Charger until 1967. Simple “V8” badges shown in the listing suggest this Charger left the factory with the 318 (5.2L) Polysphere V8, the last year of that motor before giving way to the popular “LA” 318 produced from 1967 until 2003 in various configurations.

For a first hand history of the ’66 Charger design, check out the story on allpar.com as told by none other than its Chief Engineer, Burt Bouwkamp. In addition to the unique fastback, the Charger featured slick hidden headlamps. Unlike similar cars, the Charger’s headlamps looked equally as attractive when closed or open (as seen here). Will you buy this Dodge and lead the rebellion?

Comments

  1. Avatar TCOPPS Member

    Pretty sure this was originally a 3 or 4 speed car. Can tell by the short middle pedal and the front portion of the center column is modified. Also, these came in the 361 as well as the 318, both used the “V-8” badging. If it’s a 361 3 or 4-speed car, there certainly weren’t many of them. Gauge cluster is also from a 67. Dash has been cut into. Took me 3 years to track down an original radio for mine. I’d recommend fitting an aftermarket one for cost efficiency. Also worth noting, there’s a lot of trim missing on this charger. The cost of finding trim in good shape…well 14 years of owning mine…I’m still looking for better pieces than those that I already have.

    Like 13
    • Avatar Chris

      Hey, TCOPPS. I have inherited a 67. Do you know any resources / information on restoring these vehicles. Thanks Chris

      Like 0
      • Avatar TCOPPS Member

        Hi Chris, yes I know quite a bit about these cars. If you use Facebook, there’s also a FB group dedicated to 66 & 67 chargers as well. The network of individuals in there can be extremely helpful for questions as well. Otherwise feel free to drop me an email at tyler.coppens@gmail.com

        Like 2
  2. Avatar sir mike

    Best looking car to wear the Charger nameplate

    Like 18
    • Avatar Ken

      I couldn’t agree more.

      Like 11
    • Avatar stillrunners

      Funny it won 15 races in Nascar for the 1966 championship honors for David Pearson – that was second only to Tim Flock’s 18 victories in 1955 – in a Chrysler 300 !!! We won’t say any thing about the Petty’s 10 and some say 11 wins in a row in 1967.

      Like 2
  3. Avatar canadainmarkseh

    First we get the 1956 300b now your showing a 1966 charger. I think I’m going to have a heart attack. Good eye candy for us mopar guys.

    Like 13
  4. Avatar TimM

    It amazes me what these go for compared to 68-70 models!! This were so cool looking even know they never stared on a TV show or movie!! The bad thing is finding parts for these!!!

    Like 4
    • Avatar Rube Goldberg Member

      Hi Tim, actually, they did. The 1st time we saw the ’66 Charger, was on the show “The Man from UNCLE”. I think,body parts are interchangable with a Coronet.
      https://www.imcdb.org/v540203.html

      Like 1
      • Avatar TimM

        Thanks for that Rube!! I remember that show it was like the first James Bond!! Do you think it did anything for the sales like “The Fast and Furious or Bullit did for the 68-70 or maybe Dukes of Hazard????

        Like 0
  5. Avatar Rube Goldberg Member

    Her name was Pamela Austin. She was the Dodge Rebellion girl in over 20 commercials. My old man hated those commercials, just the word “rebellion” shook up his soda. She also went on to star on “Laugh-In”, another show my old man wouldn’t watch, damn hippies,,,oh, yeah, nice car but a total flop in sales. Like the Marlin, if only it had a hatchback.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Uncle Hulka

      I have some of those “Dodge Rebellion” commercials and I think they’re awesome! Cheesy, but awesome. Bu then again, I grew up watching “Laugh-In” and I loved that show too.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    Once saw one with a Hemi in it. AFAIK it was an option that year. There was a guy back in the 70’s that when OPEC came into being, bought up pretty much every Hemi he could find for about 10 cents on the dollar. Got a chance to see his cars back in the late 70’s and this one along with a Hemi Dart were 2 of those cars I don’t think he’d ever let go.
    I like it even though it doesn’t have the original drivetrain, though I suspect it is a thirsty beast. Never got a chance to ride in one, but looks alone are great for this one.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Paul

    nice car….too bad it has such an ugly body style!

    Like 1
  8. Avatar KKW

    As much as the first Barracuda was a fastback Valiant, the first Charger took the Rambler Marlin route, and fastbacked a Coronet. And it’s actually my favorite Charger.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Mike

    There’s a light blue 66 or 67 (not sure which) Charger less than 5 miles from me. It’s been parked in the same spot, under a tree in the owners driveway for at least 20 years. A friend of mine stopped to ask about it about 15 years ago. He got the old “I’m going to restore it someday” answer. It hasn’t moved since. He did find out that it’s a 383/4 speed car. He’s been thinking about stopping to ask about it again.

    Like 0
    • Avatar TCOPPS Member

      If he doesn’t I’d love to!

      Like 0
    • Avatar Mike McGuire

      Tell him you need it for parts, that way you are ‘letting him off the hook’, so he doesn’t have to keep it, and has a different reason for getting rid of it other than breaking his promise to himself.

      Like 0

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