Rebuilt Engine/Transmission: 1966 Dodge Charger
Dodge introduced the Charger mid-way through the 1966 model year. It was based on the Coronet platform and with its fastback style looked a bit like a large pony car (IMO). Sales would start off slow but go like gangbusters when all the Chrysler B-bodies were redesigned in 1968. This first-year Charger is a running project, where most of the mechanical work has been done, leaving the body and paint for the buyer to take care of. Located in Batavia, Ohio, and available a few weeks ago here on Facebook Marketplace, the seller has been asking $10,000 OBO. Thanks for the cool Mopar tip, Pnuts!
The Charger wasn’t the first car of its type as American Motors had done something similar with the Classic-based Marlin in 1965. Besides the fastback rear glass, the Charger differed from its Coronet brethren by using four bucket seats and a full-length center console, similar to the Chrysler 300 of the early 1960s. The youth market was clearly in focus by Dodge marketers who were using the slogan “Leader of the Dodge Rebellion” to describe the new Charger. The base engine in the Charger was the 318 cubic inch V8, but the 361, 383, and 426 Hemi were also available in 1966. The seller’s car has a 383, but no mention is made of it being numbers matching.
This ’66 Charger’s 383 was rebuilt about 20,000 miles ago (per a prior owner), but the seller has just finished redoing the carburetor and 727 automatic transmission. Also, some odds and ends have been taken care of, such as a tune-up and a new aluminum radiator. As a result, we’re told the machine runs and drives great, perhaps even being at the turn-key stage except for cosmetics. The buyer may want to slap on a couple of new tires if the plan is to drive the Dodge very far.
We’re told that rust has been held to a minimum and the process of stripping paint has begun, but the seller stopped when he/his found another car more of his/her choosing, so the Charger here becomes the off “man” out, so to speak. The rear window has been removed but resides in the trunk to be put back in after the bodywork is finished. The interior is also a work in progress with brand new seats and sound-deadening material added to the floors (presumably carpeting can go right over it). The seller describes himself/herself as “motivated” so perhaps this car has already moved on to a new home.
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Comments
Alas, my pond is too small for this “Big Fish.”
Just saw that movie in passing the other day. Remember watching it when it came out because my first car in high school was a 66 charger
What movie are you referring too? Curious because I like car movies, and first gen Chargers.
PRA4SNW, the movie is “Big Fish.” Not a car movie, per se, but one of the characters drives a Charger as a travelling salesman. It is a great story about a father/son relationship. I highly recommend it.
Thanks Rumpledoorskin. I looked it up, sounds interesting with some big stars that must make cameo appearances.
Do like these years of chargers!
No, silly it’s not a marlin!
I’ve had a 67 for 39 years, 383 4-speed disk brake from the factory. I had it out last weekend
roland how ya doing, hey you said your 67 charger has disc brakes on it , did you put them on ? im curious , ide love disc brakes on my 67 charger but unfortunately tok expensive to put them on at this point … i know if you had a hemi engine you got the upgrade from the factory . how kewl that would be 👍 peace out
I’ve got a 66 hemi with drum brakes on all four. Owned it for 48 years. 17k, so I know that the hemi upgrade doesn’t automatically get you disc brakes.
I’ve always liked this early body style of Charger.Interior design is excellent.They look really nice done up right.If I had the cash I’d buy it.Seems like a fair price to me.Some lucky owner will definitely be proud to drive and show this seldom seen Charger off.
My x brother in law had a blue 67 charger from concord New Hampshire tony abbott his family only deal with mopar.
I was 19 spent a year in Oroville California period and the day I was coming back to Salt Lake City a kid tried to sell me a ’67 Dodge Charger 318 of floor shift automatic bucket seats super clean car with some kind of an electrical issue. Unfortunately I had to go right now to Salt Lake City did not have time to work on the car at all otherwise I would definitely brought that one home with me might have to have this one if the price is right.
My brother had a beauty. It was a 383 Torqueflite, powder blue with a beautiful dark blue interior. I think it was a ’66(?). Sadly the Charger died when hit sorta a glancing angle head-on by an out-of-control (too) light delivery van carrying big truck tires on a two-lane highway when the weight shifted. Fortunately, my bro survived and spent a month in the hospital with a broken femur and stuff. Anyway, these Chargers were pretty unique and a nice car then, and still are now…finding some parts could be tricky.
I forgot to add that our nickname for this car was “The House”. No explanation is needed.
How much?