1966 – 1967: First Generation Dodge Charger
The first Dodge Charger was born out of competition between the 1964 Plymouth Barracuda and the 1964 Ford Mustang. Compared to these cars Chrysler Corporations cars looked old and were growing out of fashion. Dodge was in desperate need of a car that appealed to younger audience so they developed a fastback coupe version of its Coronet midsize car. That car appeared in the fall of 1965 as the 1966-67 Dodge Charger.
Except for the two-door fastback roof and unique trim, the first generation Charger in 1966 and 1967 was identical to the Coronet midsize car. Similar to the coronet, the charger had uni-body structure with an unequal length control arm front suspension that used torsion bars as a springing medium and a solid rear axle on semi-elliptical leaf springs in the rear. At 203.6 inches long it was a full 22 inches longer than the 1966 Ford Mustang and 3.5 inches longer than the four-door 2006 Dodge Charger.
The 1966-67 Dodge Charger is powered with a sturdy rear wheel drive 318 V-8 producing 230 hp at 4,400 rpm. The 318 Charger came standard with a 3 speed manual, and the bigger engines came with either a 4 speed manual or the TorqueFlite automatic. The aerodynamically stable and sturdy V8 engine took the Dodge Charger to 18 wins and the manufacturer’s title during the NASCAR’s 1966 Grand National season.
While the styling of the Charger’s front clip was similar to that of the Coronet’s, there was a full-width convex grille in front with hidden headlights that gave the car a unique look. At the back, a full-width taillight featured the Charger name in chrome letters. Also a unique dashboard featured high-clarity back-lighting at night, and a large tachometer sitting among the other instruments, rather than down in the console. Other standard features include backup lights, center console, lighting package, front and rear bucket seats which were forward folding, carpeting (in the trunk and cabin), security panel (to cover the trunk contents), lap belts for four people, self-adjusting brakes, front sway bar, internal hood release handle, tachometer, oil pressure gauge, and tinted rear window. Options included air conditioning, remote controlled rear-view mirrors, electric windows, trunk light, and other common items.
The 1966 Dodge Charger was introduced on New Year’s Day, and it didn’t take long for the 1967 model to replace it, however not much changed in design or technology. For 1967, the V8 lost 55 pounds of weight and the engine was replaced by a mild two-barrel 383 available with 375 hp. Trim was upgraded, with new chromed, fender-mounted turn signals, and a new center section in front and optional split seats. Although the Charger was not an instant hit, selling just 37,344 examples during the inaugural season it established a unique presence in the market as a premium muscle vehicle.