Dodge Charger (1966-1967)

The Dodge Charger was a car model produced by Dodge. The Chargers from 1966 to 1974 were the high-performance models based on the platform B Chrysler. The Chargers from 1975 to 1978 are based on the Chrysler Cordoba. The Dodge Charger R / T is one of the greatest muscle cars available in 1970.

In 1964, when the American Pontiac GTO muscle car era began with strong sales, the rest of the GM divisions were quick to jump on the band of muscle car. Buick followed with the Grand Sport and Oldsmobile until conducted by the 442. Dodge, despite having made cars that might or exceed these cars on the street or strip, did not yield an image of your muscle car own.Burt Bouwkamp, Chief Engineer Dodge during the 1960's and one of the men behind the Dodge Charger.

First Generation: 1966-1967

1966 Charger

Carl "CAM" Cameron would be the designer of the exterior of the Dodge new flagship vehicle, and January 1, 1966, viewers of the Rose Bowl was first introduced to the new "leader of the rebellion Dodge", the 1966 Charger . The Charger introduction coincided with the introduction of the new version of the 426 Street Hemi (7.0 L). Lastly, Dodge would yield a photo to go along with the performance of this engine.

Since 1966 1942 DeSoto, when it opens or closes the grid made the appearance of a single piece . Inside, the shipper used four seats with a bucket of full length console front to rear. The rear seats also and console pad folded forward, and the trunk dropped again divider, which have greatly facilitated the load inside the room. Many other things were exclusive to the Charger, such as door panels, courtesy lights and the instrument panel.

The instrument panel is particularly interesting as regular bulbs were not used metering light. Instead of four electroluminescent dash pods stay the tachometer, speedometer, alternator, fuel and temperature gauges. In the rear of the full length taillight read UPLOADER.

The selection of V8 engines is everything. An engine from six cylinders not make the list of options until 1968. In 1966 four engines were offered, the base-model 318 in ³ (5.2 L) 2-barrel V8, the truck home in 361 ³ (5.9 L) 2-barrel, in the 383 ³ (6.3 L) 4-barrel, and the new 426 Street Hemi. Most of the Chargers 1966 was ordered with the 325 hp (242 kW) 383.

Total production in 1966 reached 37344 units, which was a success for the introduction in mid-year.



1966 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi

Plymouth Barracuda 1964 was the first American modern fastback, surpassing Ford Mustang'65 of 2 +2 on the market for about two weeks. Dodge waited until 1966 to join the fray, and then jumped in the 426 Hemi Charger - a muscle car fastbacks others could only dream of.

To create the first Charger, Dodge primarily to medium-size Coronet two doors rather rigid graceless fastback roof, hidden headlamps, and the entire width taillamps. With a base price of $ 3122, $ 417 Charger cost more than 500 Coronet rigid. Part of the operation was in a state of the art interior 60 years: large amounts of chromium, four bucket seats (breeding folded down), the centre console has forwards and backwards, and full gauges.

A 318-cid V-8 was normal. The most common was the performance update optional 325-hp four-barrel 383, which a shipper push through a quarter in the low 16 to 85 mph. But 1966 was also the year of the Chrysler 426-cid Hemi V-8 arrived in the street, and that made for the final shipper.

Real was close to 500 horsepower, but announced its Hemi Dodge Street to 425 hp in a 10.25:1 compression. A detuned version of 12.5 l Hemi-compression stroke, the new version of the client elevators remain solid, but has a mild cam for smoother running low rpm and a camera heat so it can warm up properly. It mounted its dual quads online instead of a cross-ram manifold. The engine dollars in 1000 added to the price of a Coronet, or $ 880 a porter, and included stiffer springs and larger brakes (11-inch). Front discs are optional.

Beauty and the Beast, "is how launched its new Dodge Charger with the hot 426." Hemi was never in better shape, "bragged. 37344 Chargers built at'66, however, only won the 468 Hemi. Rather it is because it has a Hemi buyers one-year/12000 guarantee instead of the usual Dodge 5 / 50000. Even that Chrysler warned, it would be cancelled if the vehicle was "subjected to any operation of extreme "Heaven forbid"

The 1966 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi

Specifications

Among axes inches : 117.0
Weight, pounds : 4,500
Number of construction: 468
Base price: $ 5,200

Standard Motor
Type : ohv V-8
Scrolling, IDC : 426
Fuel : 2 x 4bbl.
Compression ratio : 10.25:1
Horses power @ rpm: 425 5000
Torque @ rpm : 490 4000

Representative performance
0-60 mph, sec: 6.4
1 / 4 mile, sec. @ Km / 14.16 @ 96.15



1967 Charger

Since the Charger was a hit despite its semiannual presentation, the changes are limited to 1967. Outside, new fender-mounted turn signals are introduced and will serve as the primary identifier outside Charger between 1966 and 1967. A roof vinyl are available as well. Inside, in its entirety console is gone, partly because of complaints from customers about the entry and exit of the rear seats. It was replaced with a regular sized console. Cazo seats were standard, but a folding armrest / seat and gear lever from the column is an option which allows three people to sit in front.

As for the options engine, the 440 "Magnum" and added the 361 cid engine was replaced by a 383 cid engine. The 440 was conservatively rated at 375 hp (280 kW), with a single 4-barrel carburetor. The 318 two-barrel engines remained, although it is now the Chrysler engine, unlike the 1966 polysphere "poly" design. The 383 4-barrel and 426 Street Hemi was kept as options.

Despite the Chargers success of Formula One racing in 1966, sales slipped by half. In 1967, only 15,788 were sold Chargers. The Chargers faced competition in the Trans-Am Series, the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro just introduced. Dodge decided that the new design has been a principal in the order, instead of a minor facelift.