The Charger also had a high-end interior that differed greatly from the Coronet’s. It featured separate front and rear bucket seats, a long center console, and distinct door panels. However, beneath the surface, the Charger had the necessary power to compete in the muscle car market.
For those customers who weren’t interested in racing the Charger on the drag strip, there was the base 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) engine as an option. With a power output of 230 horsepower, it sat just below the optional 361-cubic-inch (5.9-liter) V8, which offered 265 horses. The choices also included the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big-block, delivering a robust 325 horsepower.
The Charger was also one of the first Mopar vehicles to receive the newly introduced 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI engine. Based on the race-spec engine introduced by Chrysler in 1964, the Street HEMI, equipped with two four-barrel carburetors, unleashed an impressive 425 horsepower and 490 pound-feet (664 Nm) of torque to the rear wheels. Needless to say, this transformed the 3,500-pound (1,588-kg) fastback into a true performance car.
The HEMI engine is also the rarest powerplant you can find in the 1966 Charger. Due to its higher price, only 468 customers opted for the mighty 426. This represents less than 2% of the total US production for that model year, which stood at 37,344. Nowadays, finding a 1966 HEMI Charger is quite a rarity.
If you’re interested in purchasing such a vehicle, there is currently one available for sale on Bring a Trailer. This particular Charger is a sleeper in an unassuming color, and it has been nicely restored. If you’re a fan of the more luxurious first-gen Charger, this one comes with a tan vinyl interior (including a matching dashboard) that perfectly complements its golden-like hue.
The car is impeccably clean both inside and out, and the engine bay is just as spotless. The engine has been rebuilt and runs smoothly. And yes, it is a numbers-matching HEMI! This Charger still has the same 426 V8 that it left the factory with, which is a remarkable achievement. Additionally, the HEMI is paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, making this Charger one of only 218 units built with this specific drivetrain configuration.
As for the “one of one” sticker on the windshield, the advertisement doesn’t provide details about the vehicle’s unique status. However, the Charger does come with a report from Mopar expert Galen V. Govier, which provides more information.
Currently located in Newcastle, Wyoming, the Charger has a current bid of $50,000. The auction will run for five more days, but be prepared to spend over $100,000 if you wish to bring this beauty home.
According to the Source autoevolution.com