While the third-generation version spent most of its life in the government-regulated chaos that ended the muscle car era, the 1971 model is a true performance machine. It still had the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Six-Pack and 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI, and the “fuselage” design is downright eye-catching.
Then there’s the first-generation model. Introduced in 1966, the car that kicked off the Charger legacy was significantly different from its successor. And it’s not just the fastback body style. Originally conceived as a competitor to the AMC Rambler Marlin, the first-generation Charger also came with a luxurious interior. It included rear bucket seats and a full-length center console, which were unavailable on other midsize vehicles.
Dodge’s foray into this niche was short-lived. The Charger sold 37,344 units in 1966, but sales dropped to just 15,788 in 1967. As a result, Dodge redesigned the Charger into a more traditional muscle car. One that was much more successful than its predecessor. But as much as I love the late-’60s Charger, the first-generation version is my favorite iteration of all time.
I love the fastback design, the luxurious interior, and the electric shaver grille. That's why I'm here to talk about this gorgeous 1966 example, which will be auctioned at Mecum's Dallas 2024 event in September.
Dressed in a classy yet eye-catching shade of PP1 Bright Red, this 1966 Charger is stunning from every angle. And it's not just the paint that shines; the chrome appears to be polished to perfection. The two-tone black and white interior is also up to the task, and the combination complements the red exterior perfectly.
But wait, there's more! Not only does it still have all the original sheetmetal, but this Charger also has a matching-numbers transmission. And that's not just any V8. You're looking at a real HEMI Charger. The mill mates to a four-speed manual transmission, arguably the most desirable transmission combination on a golden-era muscle car.
The 426 cubic inch (7.0 liter) dual four-barrel carburetor makes this Charger a rare classic. Of the 37,344 examples produced in 1966, only 468 rolled off the assembly line with the NASCAR-inspired unit. Only 250 examples also got the four-speed manual transmission. That equates to less than 0.7% of the total production! All of these feats make it a six-figure classic at auction.
While the first-generation HEMI Charger isn’t as desirable as its successor, some examples have sold for more than $100,000 in recent years. This red fastback should be one of those cars, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it sets a new record. It would have to sell for more than $145,000 to do so.