When introduced in 1966, the Dodge Charger was not originally conceived as the muscle car it would become, but more of a personal luxury car that offered dramatic styling combined with good performance. It was designed to rival cars like the Oldsmobile Toronado and the Ford Thunderbird – not the muscle cars with which the second generation of the Charger would later compete.
The Charger styling embraced the fastback styling of cars like the AMC Rambler Marlin and also created a more sporting interior, featuring both front and rear bucket seats and a center console that went from the front all the way to the back-seat area. It also added a sports-car-inspired instrument cluster.
Sales of the original 1966 and 1967 Chargers were low. This was likely due to a design that many found a bit fragmented or incomplete: The combination of a fastback rear with awkward front and rear dimensions and a narrow track made the car look taller than it was. Despite this, or possibly because of this, I find the original Charger a very interesting design and the epitome of Jet Age awesomeness.
One of these original Chargers, a first-year model, is currently on AutoHunter. We present our AutoHunter Spotlight: A 1966 Dodge Charger, with its auction ending on Monday, April 14.
Powered by a professionally upgraded and rebuilt 383ci V8 backed by a four-speed manual transmission, this 1966 Charger is painted in Bright Red over a black vinyl interior. It is offered by the seller with a dyno test, display boards and a clear title.
This car has received a lot of work and looks to be an excellent example of one of these first-year cars. The seller states that this car is the recipient of total restoration, with over $65,000 invested. It is said to be a multiple-award-winning vehicle. Its performance-enhanced engine was professionally upgraded and rebuilt by Big Al’s Toybox in Gaylordsville, CT, and has been dyno-rated at 435 horsepower – much more than any 1966 Charger came with when new. It is also pretty rare, being one of just 2,809 Chargers built in 1966 with a 383ci V8 and four-speed manual transmission.
The exterior of this Charger looks excellent, and we can well believe it has won at more than a few shows. The exterior received a color change from its original Medium Turquoise (code KK1) to its current color of Bright Red. It includes some cool features, such as original hideaway rotating headlights and full-width taillights. The chrome trim all looks to be in as good a condition as the paint. It rides on stock 14-inch wheels with correct Dodge factory wheel covers and clad in 235/60 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T raised-white-letter tires.
The interior of this Charger, with its black vinyl seats in the correct pattern and material, exemplifies one of the coolest things about these cars. The look of the four buckets with the full center console (which includes the manual shifter and a raised clock) add a serious sporting flair and make these first-generation Chargers stand out from almost any car of the time. Combine that with the three-spoke wood steering wheel and full instrument cluster (which includes a 150-mph speedometer, 6,000-rpm tachometer, and oil pressure, temperature, alternator and fuel gauges) and it looks quite sporty from behind the wheel. This car has also received new carpet and pad in the passenger area, new seat belts, new window and door seals, and a set of Sunpro auxiliary gauges.
Under the hood is the factory-correct 383ci V8 that has been balanced and blueprinted, and bored .040 over. It features Edelbrock machined aluminum cylinder heads, a Weiand aluminum intake manifold, the awesome Holley Sniper EFI kit, and a Comp Cams Hydraulic roller camshaft a with Shaft rocker arm set and double roller timing chain. It also has a set of KB hypereutectic pistons and moly rings, Eagle forged H-beam rods, Howards Cams hydraulic flat roller lifters, an MSD ignition, Mopar Performance aluminum valve covers and an aluminum radiator.
Under the car is a Aeromotive Gen II Stealth fuel tank, the new power front disc brake system and a dual exhaust system. Recent additions also included a new brake master cylinder, as well as new upper and lower control arms.
If ever a car looked ready to go and enjoy, this one is probably the one. This has to be one of the single coolest first-generation Charger builds I have ever seen and is a car I would gladly park in my garage.
If you are a MOPAR fan and want to take a look back at the legend of MOPAR performance, this 1966 Charger is a great car to consider adding to your collection. It’s certainly something you don’t see every day at your local car show. Besides being immensely fun to drive, this Charger also likely has a few more show wins in its future. If you are interested, you should probably start bidding, as the auction for this 1966 Charger ends on this coming Monday, April 14, at 11:15 a.m. MST.
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
