Introduced on January 1st, 1966 as the leader of the Dodge Rebellion, the 1966 Dodge Charger quickly proved to be a worthy competitor in the rapidly emerging era of the muscle car. Based on Chrysler’s B-body platform, the Charger shared most of its sheet metal with the midsize Coronet, save for its unique aerodynamic fastback roofline which was a direct response to the requests of Dodge dealers for a Mustang or Barracuda type vehicle. Riding on a 117-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 203 inches, the 66 Charger included other distinctive styling cues like stretched side windows and a full width grille with hideaway headlights.
Dodge designers also gave the 66 Charger a distinguished interior, consisting of four individual bucket seats with a full length center console that split the front and rear seats. The rear buckets and center armrest folded down to create an enlarged cargo space beneath the Charger’s broad rear glass, 4 feet wide by 7-1/2 feet long. Another intriguing characteristic of the Charger’s interior was its instrument panel which featured four large round electroluminescent gauge pods, housing the alternator, fuel, temperature, and oil pressure gauges as well as a 150-mph speedometer and 6,000-rpm tachometer.
A 3-speed manual transmission and 230-hp 318-ci overhead-valve V8 were standard equipment on the 66 Charger. Those that wanted their Charger propelled with a little more power could opt for the 265-hp 361 or 325-hp 383-ci V8, both of which could be ordered with a 4-speed manual or TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Topping off the list of optional engines was the all-new street version of the 426 Hemi, producing an honest 425-hp. Ordering the 426 Hemi added almost $900 to the Charger’s $3,122 base price, however, it was an option package that included a heavy-duty suspension, Blue-Streak tires, and larger 11-inch brakes. With 37,344 Chargers sold in the first year, the 66 B-body might not have been the sales success Dodge was hoping for, but it certainly made its mark on the muscle car era and today is revered as a milestone in Mopar history.
In the past few years, RC2’s high detail 1/18-scale Authentics series has developed a reputation for producing some truly remarkable replicas of various classic American muscle cars, and their rendition of the 1966 Charger is no exception. Featuring an accurate body mold (aside from some thick A-pillars), tight shut lines, a first-rate paint job, and realistic strips of chrome highlighting the front and rear windows and wheel openings, this replica feels more expensive than its retail price suggests. On deck is the latest version of the Authentics 66 Charger, sharply dressed in a blend of black and red, perched on a set of mag-style wheel covers wrapped in redline tires. Behind the rolling stock is a fully functional front & rear suspension along with a rotating driveshaft that turns in accord with the rear wheels.
The Chargers signature hideaway headlight grille has been fantastically reproduced, with raised columns of chrome and blacked out recesses, rotating headlight doors, and an accurately molded and detailed center mounted Dodge emblem. A second Dodge Division medallion is recessed in the rear trunk lid, just above the full width taillight section, modeled in bright red plastic with raised Charger lettering accentuated with a touch of silver paint. Other emblems include a Dodge tampo on the leading edge of the hood along with Charger scripts positioned behind the side windows in addition to a pair of 383 callouts flanking the front fenders.
Beneath the hood is a well executed replica of the 383-ci V8, painted an authentic shade of blue. Fully wired and plumbed, this miniature 383 has been assembled with a wired ignition coil, heater hoses, a detailed alternator, painted exhaust manifolds, and a single 4-barrel carburetor. The rest of the engine bay is crammed with detail, including a set of realistic hood hinges and strategically placed splashes of paint applied to the radiator cap and fluid reservoir. Additional details include a genuine 60’s-era battery with the proper cables and painted caps, and a few precisely cast parts positioned along the firewall, such as a detailed wiper motor, an electrical wiring harness, and a correct single line master cylinder.
On the other side of the firewall is a stunning recreation of the 66 Charger’s attractively appointed interior. Resting behind a 3-spoke wood rimmed steering wheel is the 4-gauge instrument cluster which has been faithfully duplicated with chrome plated housings and legible faces. An automatic shifter is integrated within the brushed metal center console that runs from front to back, trimmed in chrome with a pair of courtesy lights and a padded cushion set between the soft-to-touch front bucket seats along with a padded armrest between the rear buckets. The front tilt-forward seats are further dressed with woven fabric belts and photo-etched hardware while the rear seats fold down with the center armrest, creating a large open space beneath the rear window.
RC2 Authentics
#39470 1966 Dodge Charger
Black w/Red Interior
Photography & Review by Dave Nicholson
Creating even more room is a panel at the back of the cabin that folds down, granting access to the Charger’s trunk area. The entire space from the seatbacks through the trunk is fully carpeted, as is the rest of the interior. Small sections of carpeting also line the bottom edge of the texturized door panels which are fastened to the Chargers realistically hinged doors. Stationary sun visors enhance the finished headliner while chrome sill plates and hard plastic mats add a level of depth to the interior. Painted lights integrated into the inner C-pillars along with an opening glove box, an instruction label on the underside of the opening trunk lid, and a pair of PVC pressure release flaps in the trunk round out an extraordinary ensemble of finger fun and eye candy.
Even though the first generation Dodge Charger wasn’t a huge sales success, to this day it’s held with a warm regard in the hearts of thousands upon thousands of Mopar enthusiasts around the world, enthusiasts that would undoubtedly jump at the change to grab up one of RC2’s high detail 1/18-scale Authentics 1966 Chargers if given the opportunity. Even the most casual collectors will appreciate the level of detail that’s built into this miniature Dodge B-body. And with a retail price in the neighborhood of $50, this Authentics release is an incredible value. What are you waiting for?
Happy Collecting,
DetourDave
