Hey 1st Gen Charger Numbers Guys !

[scot]

I'm not really sure why this popped into my head today, but it did...

The reason that I'm a diehard Mopar guy is mainly because of my uncle. He was a dyed in the wool Mopar guy with Hemi Orange blood flowing through his veins and he was a B-Body guy to boot. He was not a bullshitter and everything I've retained from him has rung true to this day. Sadly, he is no longer with us and I cannot ask him.

So back in the early 70's he had a all original '66 Charger (with the exception of some sweet aluminum slot wheels) and he had always told me it was an oddity...and this was back when production numbers and rare cars were not even a thing.

He said what made the car unusual was the fact that it was a factory built 440 car. I did some quick searching today and I could not find anything that listed a 440 as an optional engine for the '66 Charger. Kinda weird I've never researched it before.

How rare/oddball was this car ? I figured I'd ask the guys who are the experts. Does anybody have knowledge of a dark metallic green/black interior 440/4 speed '66 Charger ? Would be cool if it still existed.

 

[R413]

They did make that exact car in 1967. About 660 440 Magnum Chargers made in 67. 132 4 speeds. Never made a 440 b-body in 1966.

 

[scot]

It was an unmolested '66 with a 440. I even remember him pointing out the digit in the VIN saying it was for a 440. Wish I could remember what the digit was.

 

[91r/t]

Well there was no way it was a 66 with a 440 unless it was put there. My dad has a 66 and the engines were 318, 361, 383, 426 hemi as far as V8's go. No 440 offered in them until 67. The letter in the VIN that called out a 440 from 67-69 as an L. Now if someone changed the front turn signal trim out on the fenders and the full length console, it could have been a 67 with the 66 pieces on it? They weren't that much different to the common eye and looked identical if you weren't sure what details to look for.

 

[ODZKing]

Agreed. while it was known that you could order almost anything if the dealer knew how, the 440 was a C body only engine is 66.
440 was "J" and "Special Order" was "K". See below

 

[someoneanywhere]

Well there was no way it was a 66 with a 440 unless it was put there. My dad has a 66 and the engines were 318, 361, 383, 426 hemi as far as V8's go. No 440 offered in them until 67. The letter in the VIN that called out a 440 from 67-69 as an L. Now if someone changed the front turn signal trim out on the fenders and the full length console, it could have been a 67 with the 66 pieces on it? They weren't that much different to the common eye and looked identical if you weren't sure what details to look for.

Actually, there were a very few very late 66 production run 440 Chargers. They were getting prepared to shut the ***'y. plant(s) down for model change over therefore slapped what ever was at hand out the door. I had a friend whose father was on the line and that was his story for the 66 440 he bought off the line. there were even a few that had 67 fender trim- turn ind. lights.

 

[scot]

I did a little poking around on the 66-67 Charger registry site last night and found 2 '66 Chargers with 440s and a 5th VIN digit of "X". I'm not 100% sure, but I believe X is what my uncle told me his 5th digit was.



http://1966-67chargerregistry.com/list/indv.php?year=66&pic=1228238

 

[Don Frelier]

If real it would be rare.

 

[Speedbird]

Sheesh.
This is like The Never Say Never X Files.
TV popcorn.
Although I am convinced back then it was get them out the door by Friday whatever you had to do.
Things had changed 10 later maybe.

 

[69Coronetrt]

I did a little poking around on the 66-67 Charger registry site last night and found 2 '66 Chargers with 440s and a 5th VIN digit of "X". I'm not 100% sure, but I believe X is what my uncle told me his 5th digit was.



http://1966-67chargerregistry.com/list/indv.php?year=66&pic=1228238

View attachment 768412

I’m not seeing anything from the factory on that page documenting anything. There no fender tag, broadcast sheet or window sticker. Only text on a page.

Memories are great but they fade over time or we “misremember “ key details. Proof lasts forever.

 

[Speedbird]

I'm thinking one of the "problems" would be the difference in engine height.
What exhaust systems did they have access too and would it fit?
The manifolds would be located in a different position.
I don't know if that would be an issue or not.
I've done it with headers and it needed some "work".

 

[chargervert]

I have a friend that has two of the 67 440 cars,one is a 4 speed,one is an automatic car,I never heard of a factory built 440 66 Charger. The 375 horsepower 440 Magnum engine didn't debut until 1967.