If I were forced to pick my favorite Dodge Charger, the 1966 model would sit at the top of the list. Dodge released a car that perfectly combined luxury and performance, although buyers paid a premium to park one in the driveway. While initial sales totals were healthy, many buyers struggled to justify the significant financial outlay that the Charger represented. Our feature car is a first-year example that was discovered languishing in a Montana barn. The seller returned it to active service, ready for this gem to find a new home. They listed this classic here on Craigslist in Puyallup, Washington. They set their price at $15,995, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this fantastic find.
Dodge followed an unusual strategy with the 1966 Charger, releasing it mid-year. This didn’t significantly impact sales of a generation of muscle cars that remained in production for a mere two years. The first owner ordered our feature car in Code R Yellow, and the suggestion is that it is an unrestored survivor. The buyer could choose to preserve its originality, although I am sure that someone will eventually treat it to the restoration it richly deserves. The paint is tired, and the panels have accumulated a few repairable bumps and bruises. The most pressing question surrounds the potential presence of rust because it looks like it might be developing in the lower rear quarter panels. The rest of the exterior looks good, but climbing underneath this classic to check the floors and other prone areas would be worthwhile. The glass is clear, but both bumpers look to sport physical damage that might prompt replacement.
Ordering a 1966 Charger was V8-only territory. Buyers could choose from four engines, with the entry-level 318ci powerplant providing respectable performance. Those with thick wallets could throw caution to the wind by selecting the legendary 426ci Hemi, but this car’s first owner trod the middle ground with the 383ci unit. They teamed it with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, and with 325hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque under the driver’s right foot, the ¼-mile journey should take 15.3 seconds. It is worth noting that if they had elected to undertake shifting duties themself with the four-speed manual, that figure would have fallen to 14.9 seconds. The seller supplies no engine photos but confirms that they revived this classic after its recent discovery in hibernation. They have returned the Charger to a roadworthy state, ready for the new owner to hit the road for classic motoring fun.
So, why was the 1966 Charger more expensive than the opposition? That question is easily answered when we focus on the interior. Front and rear bucket seats, high-quality upholstery materials, and a full-length console represent an excellent starting point. However, it is the gauge cluster that steals the show. It looks slick and classy in daylight, but the decision to adopt electroluminescence over traditional bulbs for night use makes this my favorite gauge cluster found in any production car. The first slice of good news for potential buyers is that this interior is original and unmolested. It is also serviceable, but the visible wear and deterioration make it a prime candidate for a retrim. That process won’t be cheap, but the results should justify the effort and expense.
Considering that Dodge released the Charger in the middle of the 1966 model year, the company’s sales tally of 37,344 was pretty impressive. This was as good as it got for the short-lived First Generation, with the figure falling by over 50% in 1967. The car’s most significant hurdle was the price, which was significantly higher than the opposition. Dodge addressed this with a new model in 1968, and by adopting a more mainstream approach, the sticker price fell and the sales total climbed significantly. Our feature car spent years in a barn, but with an asking price that seems competitive, it may not struggle to find a new home. Are you tempted to pursue it further? I wish you luck if you do.
Back seat 💺 looks like a great place to be. Roomy, console, and easy access to the cooler in the trunk.
Interior looks like a giant ’66 Barracuda.
Nice car, and “whiskey dent” aside, it’s worth the asking price. This car is located in Puyallup, which is “car lot central” for Tacoma, so it’s probably offered up by a dealer. What private owner would list it as “$15,995” besides? Still, the car is worth a look and if it was mine, I’d throw a seat cover over the driver’s chair and daily it.
Reupholster the interior, fix the corner dent and then drive the wheels off it. I like them.
Had a 66 with the exact engine trans configuration. Bought it used in 75 for $300. Added headers and dropped the quarter time by a full second. Great car, if only I had the room
I will admit that the only reason that I looked at this ad was to see just how nuts the price would be, and I will be the first to admit that this car doesn’t seem unreasonable, particularly in light of what rust buckets are advertised for.
It is light years nicer than almost any Charger I have seen on Barn Finds for quite some time. Now, from what I understand, these earlier models aren’t as desirable as the later models, but it still looks like a reasonable deal to me.
The 66,67 Chargers didn’t appeal to me back in the day but have grown on me over time. Pretty decent looking example but would like to see underside.Merry Christmas ,Happy Quanza etc everyone!
What a fantastic car.
I read an article in the Dec. 2022 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine
about designer Carl Cameron, who came up with this design. They show a sketch he did of the back, and looks just like the production model. That doesn’t happen too often in the design process.
An amazing designer.
A 66 Charger, even with a 383 would still likely be an off the lot purchase, not a special ordered car . Even a hemi car may have been ordered by the dealership to put on the lot if they had a lot of calls for performance cars . A buddy of mine still has his families red 66 Charger , bought new off the lot with a 383 , and the same few options. Unless there’s an actual special order build sheet of any paperwork from the dealership stating so, you have to assume the first buyer bought this right off the dealership’s lot, like 99% of customers do