Rebuilt 383 V8: 1966 Dodge Charger
The original Dodge Charger might be considered a large pony car. Sure, it was a B-bodied intermediate, but it was just as sporty as, say, the smaller Ford Mustang fastback. The seating was only for two couples, with bucket seats in the front and rear. This ’66 edition has a numbers-matching drivetrain that was rebuilt a few years ago. Other than worn paint, it’s a drivable car the way it sits. Found in Orangevale, California, this mighty Mopar is available here on craigslist for $15,000. Our appreciation to ToddK for the vintage tip!
Given its dimensions, the first-generation Charger was more akin to a personal luxury car. But given its performance image, the Dodge could be had with anything from a 318 cubic inch V8 to a 426 Hemi. Based on the Coronet platform, the Charger came a little late to the 1966 party being a mid-season entry. It was positioned as the “Leader of the Dodge Rebellion” and more than 37,000 copies were built in ’66, followed by less than 16,000 in 1967. The car would get a complete makeover in 1968 as Chrysler redid all their mid-size products.
A 383 V8 was one of several powerplants available to the Charger, along with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Both of these are original to this Charger and were reworked about five years ago, so hopefully, no mechanical issues await the buyer. The mileage is more than 132,000 (the odometer has turned over). The Dodge came with factory air conditioning which is said to still work fine. The body is solid, but the paint is tired and ready for a redo. The photos provided show an interior that may need nothing, at least right away.
When the Charger was redone in 1968-70, sales went through the roof. More than 92,000 were scooped up in ’68 alone and the auto was prominently featured in a famous car chase scene in the Steve McQueen movie, Bullitt. Due to their smaller production numbers, the 1966-67 Chargers are seen less frequently than the later ones, which have been quite expensive to purchase in almost any condition.
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now5 hours$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now6 hours$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now7 hours$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now2 days$11,000
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now4 days$750
Comments
What an iconic design, if not more than a bit derivative of the ’65 Rambler Marlin. But no matter, Dodge did the interior way better, and with a big block, it’s a true classic. It’s a bucket list car for this guy.
Dodge then really hit a styling home run with the 68 Chargers, one of the baddest muscle cars ever. Mopar was really on fire in the late 1960s.
I just got that! Wrecks Cars! That’s funny! Rex Kahrs!
I got a million of ’em. My navigator is Wanda Rown.
I have a piston and rod out of one of those V-twin A/C compressors,they look great hanging from the mirror of a classic car,have won multiple bets over the years nobody guess correct..
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always loved the styling of the 1966 Charger.
Back in ’76, just got my license & I recall a gas station in Milford CT, headin toward the beach, there were 2 of these chargers on their property. The guy was selling one for $300 & the other $400. Both ran. Owner said ‘give me $550 & take em both’. At 16, what the hell I know? Was just getting my feet wet with the muscle car mindset. My bro, 10 yrs older than I, his 1st in ’66 was a ’57 Nomad. Then in ’68, a ’66 GTO & by ’70, a ’69 GTO. So I was drifting towards the GM line of ‘muscle’ & this Charger style didn’t do much for me. Looking at the inside now, it’s a whole different attitude on how nice that looks. They fascinate me with all that stainless, chrome or brushed alum treatments, like the insides of some early 60 something T-birds, we’ll never see those times again.
Awesome car fair price.
where the hide way headlights
To much weight for the 383 to be a very serious street king, but the ones with the 440 are 426 would run with anything else of its day.