The 1966 Dodge Charger was a new model
that year. Automakers were looking for
something different in car design. The
new "fastback" look was starting to enter the market. The Charger was based on the Dodge Coronet
but with a new fastback design, fold away headlights, and four bucket seats
that folded flat in the back to create large cargo space if needed. This body style, however, only lasted until
1967 when the more traditional 1968 B-body cars debuted.Â
The 1966 Dodge Charger was introduced
on January 1, 1966 during the Rose Bowl as the "Leader of the Dodge
Rebellion."Â This particular Charger was purchased
at Shively Motors on January 22, 1966 by James Eger. He and his wife traded their two used cars on
this all new Charger. They drove the car
for ten years putting over 89,000 documented miles on the car. When the time came to purchase another car,
they decided to keep the Charger in the garage.Â
The car then sat for the next 40 years.Â
The inspection sticker is still on the car that expired in 1977. Fortunately, the car spent most of the years
in a garage and was still in decent shape.Â
Their son told us that he had his parent's 1966 Charger during a
conversation when he was purchasing a much newer Dodge Charger at the
dealership. After hearing about the car,
we inquired about purchasing it. We then rebuilt the 318 V8, replaced the
brakes, tires, fuel tank, and serviced the car.Â
After 40 years, the Charger is back on the road. Everything is still original including paint,
interior, even the hubcaps. A true "barn
find."