Fun fact of the day: Did you know that the 1966 Belvedere II hardtop outsold its swankier Satellite linemate (36,644 to 35,399)? In the mid 1960s, bucket seats and consoles were in, as were two-door hardtops, so it might come as a bit of a surprise that more people chose the plainer bench-seat variant of the Belvedere hardtop. These days, just about any B-Body Mopar is a hot commodity, so it may come as a bit of a surprise that this one has been languishing on craigslist near San Diego for almost a month. Thanks to Zappenduster for sending it to us so we can do our best to change that.
There’s a surprising amount of negativity out there regarding the 1966 and 1967 Belvederes, mostly related to their styling. They are fairly square-rigged, but that was Chrysler’s design ethos in the mid ’60s, and there’s a certain charm about their individuality. There was plenty of time to copy GM and their A-Body’s tunneled backlite, but Chrysler avoided that for a couple more years. The claim to fame of the 1966 model was that it was the Street Hemi’s first year of volume production, so I imagine that a certain number of these cars have been turned into Hemi clones. There are worse things to do to a car, and I think it would make a cool NHRA stock-class tribute for the street.
You’ll probably have to do some engine swapping if that’s your goal, because the stone-reliable Poly 318 currently sits under the hood. The owner says it’s a numbers-matching engine, but I can’t imagine anybody that’s concerned about that kind of minutiae when they’re dealing with a 318. Being a solid California car, I can also imagine someone slipping a Gen III Hemi under the hood and making this into a restomod. It’s not exactly my taste, but it’s honestly the best way to make a profit on a car build these days, at least if the televised auctions are accurate.
Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t include any interior pictures, but given the damage on top of the rear seatback, I think we know what to expect – plenty of wear and mouse damage. Considering that this is clearly a project, that probably won’t dissuade anybody; in fact, it may convince you to do a drag tribute after all. Who needs a back seat? This car seems like a “what you see is what you get” prospect, so maybe it’s the price that’s holding it back – $6,500. It seems that leaves some room for negotiation, so maybe the owner isn’t budging, or maybe it’s just a couple of years older than what people are really looking for. What do you think – is this a workable project?
Wether this is a workable project depends on how much money you’re willing to lose doing it. It could be made into a fun driver, but.
Not too many solid ones left of this model. These were serious rusters in the Northeast. If you want a blank slate here’s your chance. I don’t know if you would have to change the K-frame on this to go the big block route, maybe somebody will tell us. Barnfinds posters are truly a wealth of information. Maybe a 360 and a 4speed and do paint and interior and have fun all day long. Would you be underwater? Sure, but you know what they about people that died broke? Good timing!
You aren’t kidding about the rust. My family had a 67 Belvedere, and by the time we got rid of it, the back fenders were half chicken wire and bondo.
Everything is a serious ruster in the Northeast
I have a place in my heart for this style Belvedere, as a 67 is what I learned to drive in and what I took on my first date. It’s sad that rust has made these a rare commodity.
As for the seller, he is the kind of seller on Craigslist who infuriates me my listing every make and model of car ever listed at the bottom of his ads, such that no matter what you search for, all his ads pop up. I hate people that do that.
This is one of My favorite B body year and Body style. Usually one of the more affordable as well. It does look like a fairly solid and original car. It has had a color change and fortunately, his photos indicate those rear quarters are definitely NOT rust free. No interior shots either. There’s a reason it has been posted a month with no sale……….
JDC, I learned how to drive on a 1966 Belvedere II station wagon. My dad ordered it with a towing package and a 360 V-8. It felt very solid but not terribly fast. Dad put 285,000 miles on the car in 6 years. The transmission gave out and the frame was very rusty. Actually the whole car was rusty. It had to be towed to the crusher. Except for the tranny and carburetor never any problems. His next car was a 1970 VW bus, what a let down for a 19 year old.
I think you ment 361 engine 360 did not come out until late 70
Mike, a wagon like this one? This is my Belvedere I.
Seller claims he has to sell this one as he is moving. Looks to me he has plenty of other old stuff under that carport to get rid of. I bought a 1970 GTO from southern California in 1986. Yes, rust free sheet metal, floors and frame, but under that vinyl top where it meets the Dutchman panel, it was getting crunchy and that as 38 years ago. Be careful, this car is pushing 60.
Jim, thank you for the correct information.
Put new tires on it and soup up the 318 a little and drive and fix up the rest over time, thats the way I would do it. While your there see if they want to sell that 2 door 55 ford wagon or go to see the Plymouth and come home with the Ford.
The Ford wagon (its a ’56) is on Craigslist for 3500, but no motor or trans. Ad says open to offers because they’re moving.
Brings back good memories for me. Had a 66 Satellite with the 426 hemi and a 727 auto. Too much car for a 17 year old but sure was fun……so much fun that it was several years before I could get anything but liability insurance.
The 1956 Ford Ranch Wagon in the background is for sale as well for $3,500 USD. https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/d/campo-1956-ford-door-ranch-wagon/7801546822.html
We have a 66 Plymouth Belvedere II, bought 5 years ago from the 2nd owner. Slant 6 with automatic. 32,000 miles and runs like a top. It is a red 2 door hardtop with black interior.
The 56 ford wagon would make a good project – put a 390/C6 in it – COOL. Sombody make him an offer.
Seller claims in add, “no rust” but one of the photos shows plenty of rust bubbles in one of the rear roof pillars. If it’s showing on the outside, rust is always deeper in. Mmmm.
Many many moons ago my family inherited a 66 Plymouth just this. Very good car, it literally took a licking and kept on ticking. One of my sisters put it upside down to avoid a deer. Got it back home checked it over and drove it a few more years
I learned on a 69 Belvedere 4 door. 3 on the tree. A few friends called it a 4 door Road Runner. if I had this car I would do a Holley 500 2 barrel and a 3/4 cam. Thrush Purple Hornies. Yeah Buddy. Get er done. Mullets forever
I put a 383 into a 1966 Dodge charger. Everyone at the time called the 318 poly a big block 318, all I know is that 383 bolted up to everything in the car with no problems, including the transmission. that was back in 1978, I was stationed on Guam, in the Airforce and had the fastest car on the Island at the time. We used to race at an abandoned air field. That 318 poly was a boat anchor, it didn’t run for crap. I have had people tell me it won’t work but I know what I did.
Turn it into a Sox and Martin clone
@Gary, yes it was solid turquoise.