Car Model History

First generation · B-body fastback · 1966–1967

1966Dodge Charger

Launched as a fastback derivative of the mid-size Coronet on the Chrysler B-body, with a distinctive full-width hidden-headlight grille and a flowing fastback roofline. The 426 Hemi was offered from the start.

First generation · B-body fastback

1966 Dodge Charger — B-body fastback, front three-quarter view

Photo: “Dodge Charger (Centropolis Laval 2010)” by Bull-Doser / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1966 Dodge Charger model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1966 Charger

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

4factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

4versions shown
Two-door fastback

Dodge Charger 318 V8

Body
Two-door fastback
Engine
318 cu in polyspherical-head V8, 2-barrel carburetor (230 gross hp)
Gearbox
3-speed manual or 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door fastback

Dodge Charger 361 V8

Body
Two-door fastback
Engine
361 cu in B-series V8, 2-barrel carburetor (265 gross hp)
Gearbox
3-speed TorqueFlite automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door fastback

Dodge Charger 383 V8

Body
Two-door fastback
Engine
383 cu in B-series V8, 4-barrel carburetor (325 gross hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual or 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door fastback

Dodge Charger 426 Street Hemi V8

Body
Two-door fastback
Engine
426 cu in Street Hemi V8, dual 4-barrel carburetors (425 gross hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual or 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1966 model year

Overview

The Dodge Charger debuted for 1966 as a fastback two-door built on the mid-size Chrysler B-body, derived from the Coronet. Its full-width grille with hidden headlights and sweeping fastback roof gave it a futuristic look, and a full-length center console with four bucket seats set it apart inside. The 426 Hemi V8 was available from the start.

Specifications

Engines
  • 318 V8
  • 361 V8
  • 383 V8
  • 426 Street Hemi V8
Body styles
2-door fastback

Year over year

What changed

  • Launch year of the Dodge Charger as a fastback B-body two-door.
  • Hidden-headlight full-width grille and four-bucket-seat interior.
  • 426 Street Hemi offered from the first model year.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The original Charger — a fastback, not yet the 'Coke-bottle' shape it is best known for.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • 1960s body-on-frame-era B-body mechanicals; rust, originality, and correct Hemi documentation are the survivor concerns.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1966 Charger on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1966 Dodge Charger. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
10
Factory intervals
9
Fitment-scoped
10
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 4,000 mi / 3 months · Whichever occurs first.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 — maintenance-services matrix · checked

    Engine oil filter

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 8,000 mi / 6 months · Replace every second oil change under the published normal schedule.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 — every-second-oil-change row · checked

  • Carburetor air-cleaner element

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 24 months · Replace every two years; inspect/clean the element every second oil change and service oil-bath units annually.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 — air-cleaner rows · checked

  • Fuel filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 24 months · Whichever occurs first.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 — fuel-filter row · checked

  • Engine performance evaluation

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 12 months · Whichever occurs first.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 — engine-performance row · checked

  • Brakes and front wheel bearings

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 18,000 mi / 18 months · Inspect brake linings, linkage bushings, and front wheel bearings; whichever occurs first.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 — 18-month/18,000-mile rows · checked

  • Cooling system

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 12 months · Service yearly.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 — annual cooling-system row · checked

  • Crankcase ventilator valve

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 12 months · Service the system every second oil change and service the valve annually.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 — PCV rows · checked

  • Transmission and rear-axle lubricant levels

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 6 months · Check every six months under normal service.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 — six-month rows · checked

  • Chassis and Charger hood-release lubrication

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · The exact 1966 Charger supplement explicitly adopts the 1966 Coronet maintenance requirements, adding only six-month lubrication of the Charger hood-release-handle pivot.

    Published interval: 6 months · Inspect steering, suspension, and universal joints and oil the Charger hood-release-handle pivot every six months; complete the specified joint lubrication at 36 months or 36,000 miles.

    Source: Dodge — 1966 Charger and 426 Hemi factory service supplement plus referenced Dart/Coronet service manual (preserved by MyMopar) · 1966 Charger supplement group 0 and Dart/Coronet Service Manual group 0, p. 0-4 · checked

  • Engine oil filter

    Exact reference available

    The order numbers below establish replacement-filter fitment only; they do not establish a service interval. Confirm the installed engine, VIN, build date, and filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    318 cu in polyspherical-head V8, 2-barrel carburetor (230 gross hp)

    K&N HP-3001

    K&N publishes HP-3001 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1966 · 318 cu in polyspherical-head V8, 2-barrel carburetor (230 gross hp) · United States · Exact 1966 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 1966 Dodge Charger 318 cu in application row — HP-3001 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    361 cu in B-series V8, 2-barrel carburetor (265 gross hp)

    K&N HP-3001

    K&N publishes HP-3001 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1966 · 361 cu in B-series V8, 2-barrel carburetor (265 gross hp) · United States · Exact 1966 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 1966 Dodge Charger 361 cu in application row — HP-3001 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    383 cu in B-series V8, 4-barrel carburetor (325 gross hp)

    K&N HP-3001

    K&N publishes HP-3001 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1966 · 383 cu in B-series V8, 4-barrel carburetor (325 gross hp) · United States · Exact 1966 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 1966 Dodge Charger 383 cu in application row — HP-3001 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    426 cu in Street Hemi V8, dual 4-barrel carburetors (425 gross hp)

    K&N HP-3001

    K&N publishes HP-3001 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1966 · 426 cu in Street Hemi V8, dual 4-barrel carburetors (425 gross hp) · United States · Exact 1966 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 1966 Dodge Charger 426 cu in application row — HP-3001 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — "Dodge Charger"

Other First generation years

Explore the B-body fastback generation →All First generation · B-body fastback years →

Browse by tag

← All Dodge Charger years