An all-original Dodge Charger is always a classic gem, but when the car in question happens to come from the very first year of production (1966) and pack the NASCAR-bred 426 HEMI, it becomes an incredible piece of American history.
While the Ford Mustang popularized the muscle car segment in 1964, Dodge waited for the E-Body platform that Chrysler introduced in 1969 to deliver a closer rival, namely the Challenger.
However, as mentioned above, the Mopar people entered the muscle car madness in 1966 with the Charger. And, before embracing the sportier Coke bottle profile for 1968 (that was the Gen II), the OG Charger came as a more luxurious offering, featuring a somptuous fastback profile and an upscale console interior with four seats and dashboard instruments inspired by the Moon race of the era.
And while the Gen I Charger isn’t as popular as its also-B-body sucessor, these glorious large coupes are treasured nowadays, even without the special configuration of the car we have here.
Out of the 37,300 Chargers Dodge built for 1966, only 468 had the expensice Hemi package—alongside the 425 hp Bib Block, this brough heavy-duty suspension, upgraded brakes, and 7.75×14 Blue Streak racing tires.
And this example, which still has those tires, even though it runs on Rallye wheels with different rubber, is one of the just 218 fitted with the three-speed TorqueFlite automatic (the car could also be had with a four-speed manual).
The big, heavy coupe features a few 1977MY additions for extra NASCAR flavor
The muscle-collecting crew over at mopars5150 had gotten wind of this ’66 Hemi Charger a few years back, but the guy who has the coupe, which was reportedly the second owner, only recently decided to sell it.
The Dodge might’ve been driven in Missisipi by its original owner, but, to quote its new masters, the vehicle is 99.8% rust-free.
NASCAR drivers expected the fastback profile of the first-gen Charger to give the large coupe proper aerodynamics, but, during the racecar actually showed rear-end lift. The problem was adressed by installing a small deck lid spoiler, with the Dodge subsequently winning 18 races.
The said spoiler was also featured on the 1967 road car, with the original owner of this example having decided to add this to the vehicle, with the same being true for the front fenders turn signal indicators.
The vehicle isn’t a perfect survivor, since it’s been repainted once, but, as explained in the video below, the jow might’ve been partial.
And, after a 33-year hibernation, the crew promises to give this iconic muscle car some TLC and bring it back on the road.
