Dodge launched the Charger in 1966 with underpinnings from the Coronet, a fastback design, and proper seats for the rear passengers. Even though it wasn’t the muscle car we usually associate with the Charger name, the first model year was offered with the HEMI V8.
A muscle car that other fastbacks could only dream of, the 1966 Charger with this engine was advertised with 425 horsepower on a 10.25:1 compression ratio. “Beauty and the beast” is how Dodge advertised it to the U.S. public, and as opposed to lesser V8 options, the big ol' HEMI was offered with one year or 12,000 miles (19,300 km) of warranty instead of five years or 50,000 miles (80,400 km).
A total of 468 units were specified with the 7.0-liter leviathan, and of that population, 250 were specified with the four-speed manual. Found in a barn in the Appalachian Mountains in 2003, this bright red 1966 Charger is one of those cars, and all of the numbers match according to the selling vendor.
Offered by Gateway Classic Cars of Orlando, the H-Code 426 HEMI is rocking black vinyl for the bucket seats and interior door panels, an AM radio, a spare tire, the original jack, power brakes and steering, as well as Magnum 500 wheels. Kelly Charger radial tires bring the point home, and the Dana 60 rear axle sweetens the deal with a 354 Sure Grip limited-slip differential.
Even though the odometer shows 70,217 miles (113,003 kilometers) at the time of writing, the seller can’t confirm if these miles are true. Photos of the underbody and the engine compartment suggest a well-maintained vehicle, and every panel is straight as an arrow. The brightwork and exterior badges are in pretty good shape as well, and the same can be said about the cabin.
On that note, do you think $84,000 is a fair price for such a collectible piece of Mopar history? For reference, the most expensive Dodge Charger on sale today is the 797-horsepower SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody at $78,595.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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