1966-1967 Dodge Charger Specifications

Dodge was late out of the gate in developing a performance car that could match the styling and power of the Ford Mustang. In 1966, two years after the Mustang hit the market, Dodge debuted the Charger basically as a restyled Coronet. It featured a severe squared look and fastback strikingly similar to the 1965 Rambler Marlin. Sales were poor in 1966 and 1967, with the Charger not gaining popularity until the restyled 1968 models emerged.

Power

The 1966 and 1967 Chargers had an abundance of V8 engine options: the base 230-horsepower, 318-cubic inch engine has a bore and stroke of 3.31 by 3.91 inches and a 9:1 compression ratio. The 265-horsepower 361 engine has a bore and stroke of 4.12 by 3.38 inches and a 10:1 compression ratio. The 325-horsepower 383 has a bore and stroke of 4.25 by 3.38 inches with a 10:1 compression ratio, and the high-performance, 425-horsepower 426 Hemi has a bore and stroke of 4.25 by 3.75 inches with a 12:1 compression ratio. The 375-horsepower 440-cubic inch V8, with a bore and stroke of 4.84 inches by 3.75 and a 10:1 compression ratio, appeared in the 1967 models. The 318 generates 340 ft.-lbs. of torque, giving the Charger its quick starts from a dead stop. The 383 wields up to 410 ft.-lbs. of torque and the Hemi 490 ft.-lbs. The 440 provides 480 ft.-lbs. of torque. A three-speed manual transmission matched the 318 while the larger engines were paired with a four-speed manual or Torqueflite automatic.

The 1966 and 1967 Dodge Charger chassis comes directly from the Dodge Coronet with independent wishbone suspension and coil springs. Drum brakes provided the stopping power. Options included a heavy-duty suspension system with stabilizer bar, a towing package and 11-inch front disc brakes. There was nothing unique about the Charger's construction. Virtually all of its chassis components were cobbled together from various B-body Dodge cars, including the Coronet.

The 3,480-lb. Charger sat on a long wheelbase of 117 inches with an overall length of 203.6 inches. In contrast, the length of the Charger grew to 208.5 inches by 1970. The 1966 and 1967 models featured an exterior body width of 75.8 inches and interior width of 46.5 inches. The Charger's front track was 59.5 inches, and its rear track was 58.5 inches. Its curb-to-curb turning radius was 41 feet. The wheels were 14 inches in diameter.

Standard equipment for the first generation Chargers included concealed headlamps and turn indicators, a full-length center console, front and rear bucket seats, a security panel to cover the trunk's contents, seat belts, tachometer, oil pressure gauge, front sway bar, self-adjusting brakes and manual or automatic floor-shifter. Options included power windows and locks, wood grain tilt and telescopic steering wheel, air conditioning, front disc brakes with power-assist, wheel covers, a Sure Grip Differential and vinyl roof. The only styling difference between the two model-years was the 1967 models had turn indicators placed at the top of the fenders.

Although the 1966 and 1967 Dodge Chargers performed well in NASCAR racing, which helped market the car, its sales were dismal by the standards of the mid-1960s. For 1966, Dodge manufactured 37,344 Chargers, including just 468 equipped with the $1,000 426 Hemi option. For 1967, sales were even worse at only 15,788, with only 118 426 Hemi Chargers sold.