1966 Dodge Coronet 500 HEMI 426 Documented 4-owner / Cerficard / History / VIDEO

1966 Dodge Coronet 500

"California sold and street driven '66 DodgeCoronet 500HEMI 426 with a story "

as presented by...

Samspace81 Classic Automobile Marketing- celebrating 50 years of the street HEMI !

" Documented &Loved Since Day 1 "

The following is a word for word transcript from Mr. J.W. Smith, owner, dated July 15th, 1969, detailing his incredible 5,000 mile round-trip from Santa Clara, California to Mexico City, Mexicoand back in this very '66 Dodge Coronet 500 HEMI car.Mr. Smithwas certainlymeticulous in his care of the car, detailingthe Coronet HEMI's street mannersto his personal mechanical along with his own suggestions and questions.The incredible written accountis affixed to a receipt from Griffin's Auto Parts in Santa, Clara, California for a $3.16 Gates drive belt. You are looking at a very special original and correct '66 Coronet HEMI. This car was specially ordered with wonderful options for streetability and pure HORSEPOWER. Mr. Smith was no stranger to the highway in this '66 HEMI Coronet 500 and neither should you be. This is a documented example complete withits fender tag,Certicard, and owner history. You're looking at a rollingcollector's piece, an incredible time capsule.I hope you enjoy my presentation as much as I enjoyed working with this '66 Coronet HEMI. View my 100% positive feedback as a seller and bid with 100% confidence. Thank you. - Sam

From the 1st owner's desk ;

" July 15th, 1969

Comments on trip

1. I figured average gas mileage = 14 MPG for 5000 miles

2. No matter what gas I used ( US or Mexican cheap gas or Premium ) I noticed no ping. So just off hand could you say that the ignition could be advanced a trifle?

3. When I got back I put in new plugs, Autolite AG32, gapped to .035" tight .032 " loose

4. Suggested Procedures

a. mountain sized metering rod / jets for carburetors

b. adjust brakes

c. new oil filter

d. new belts for water pump and alternator? as mentioned maybe not needed

e. recheck cam dwell & point opening - car seems to run a little rough for new plugs installed

f. put car on road give visual inspection pick out rocks from tires & etc How do new tires look for having 5000 miles ?

I noticed oil in several spark plug wells so new plugs I torqued pretty tight. Wouldn't recommend trying to remove a plug unless engine is cold. "

ENJOY THE RUNNING VIDEO PRESENTATION OF THIS HEMI CAR BELOW

VIDEO LINK TO THIS '66 DODGE CORONET 500 HEMI 426, A RUNNING TOUR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o02-OIYEnHI

This car made its way to Arizona eventually to another careful owner. This gentleman, an IBM engineer, would own theHemi for several years. The car traveled on to a 3rd owner in Texas, eventually finding its current 4th owner about 10 years ago, also in Texas. The Hemi car remains here today in the Austin area at a private residence, always garaged and available for inspection by appointment only. Less than 300 miles have been logged on this car in the last 10 years. The original HEMI 426 engine was eventually rebuilt at 100,000 miles (25,000 miles ago) while the exterior underwent a professional repaint 9 years ago. The interior received replacement front & rear seat covers at the same time. Other than that, very little has been done to this car other than regular maintenance, its integrity completely intact.I'm selling this vehicle for its 66 year old owner because of health concerns and it is not easy at all for him to sell this car. Please respect our auction and feel free to ask me any questions. This is truly an irreplaceable example of the extremely rare 1966 Dodge Coronet 500 Hemi.

There were only 339 Coronet 500 Two-Door Hardtops ordered with the 426 HEMI engine in 1966. Out of the 339 HEMI cars, only 135 were equipped with the TorqueFlite automatic transmission. From our research, this car is 1 of only 17 produced in this exact configuration in 1966. This is a very collectible Mopar sure to appreciate in value for years and years to come. This is a perfect candidate for any show and will very well at local and larger regional car shows, especially Mopar specific. This is a PERFECT candidate for the Galen Govier registry service.

FEATURES INCLUDE:

Sold new in California - 4 Owners - Always Dry Climate - Original Body & Floors

Documentation & History dating to the 1960s & Original Owner

Original Owner's Certicard & Metal Key Tag

426/425HP Dual 4bbl. HEMI V8 Engine

Torqueflite Automatic Transmission

3.23 Sure-grip Dana Differential- Highway Friendly

Power Brakes - 11" Inch Drums

Power Steering

Bright Red Paint - Upper & Lower

White Vinyl Interior - Bucket Seating & Center Console

2-Watt AM Radio

Coker Classic 14" Redline Tires & Factory Steel Wheel & Wheel Covers

Correct Jacking Equipment & Spare Tire/Wheel

The fender tag decodes as follows :

a6 - Console

b4 - Bucket Seats

u1 - SOLD car - This car was special ordered this way!

AB73 - 426 HEMI

C5 - Torqueflite Automatic Transmission

R1 - Music master 2 Watt AM Radio

SO NUMBER - 401 - This is our HEMI cars birthday - April 1st, 1966

WP23 - DODGE Coronet 500

PP1 - Bright Red Upper & Lower Exterior Paint

P4W - White Vinyl Interior

The original Certicard and metal key tag for this car have carefully saved for these past 50 years. This car was customer ordered in this configuration. She was born on April 1st, 1966 and sold out of Gilroy, California, last week of April, 1966.

The VIN plate is clear and legible. This is a Dodge Coronet 500 (WP) Two-Door Hardtop (23) equipped with the (H) code 426 Hemi, built in 1966 at the Lynch Rd. assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan.

This car retains all original sheetmetal throughout, including the floor pans. This is a true dry climate example. The body is outstanding. The doors, trunk, and hood are correctly aligned. The Bright Red finish is in excellent condition as is the brightwork.

Under the hood you'll find the legendary 426 Street Hemi. In 1966, Dodge would offer up this de-tuned street version of the 426 race-Hemi with several revisions. Compression was lowered to 10.25:1 while the solid lifters were replaced with hydraulic for better street manners and ease of maintenance. The aluminum race hemi heads were revised to an iron version for durability. These heads had the same excellent high rpm flow characteristics offered up by the race version of the hemispherical cylinder head design. Iron headers expel gases through the correct dual exhaust system. Induction Duties consist of the correct original dual inline Carter AFB 4bbl. careburetors atop the dual plan low rise aluminum intake manifold. This is the original engine for this Coronet, rebuilt at exactly 100,000 miles. In recent history, Mexico City road trips have been few to none! This Hemi car has enjoyed only sunny Sunday trips to town and high octane fuel with additives for safety. The oil was just changed along with the filter.

Further inspection of the engine compartment confirm clean and original sheetmetal throughout the firewall, inner fenders, and core support. There is still evidence of the original California Emissions decal near the original fender tag.

Open the doors to 1966.

This interior is a pure time capsule, just incredible in sight and feel. I can't explain to you what it is like to sit in this car and drive it. It drives beautifully, just as J.W. Smith took his trip down through Tijuana, Mexico,and on to Mexico City, nearly 5,000 miles in a round trip.

The dash displays all original instrumentation, fully functional.

The seats and console are in excellent shape. The carpeting is in very good condition as well. The door panels are clean and detailed. The door undersides are excellent.

The undercarriage is just incredible, displaying original sheetmetal throughout the front and rear flooring. The leaf spring attachment points are excellent as are the inner quarter panels, inner fenders, rocker panels, etc., a true testament to the dry climate care and life of this '66 Dodge. The optional 8 3/4 Dana 3.23 Suregrip differential is perfect for long distance cruising when you are ready for your 5,000 mile roadtrip in this '66 Dodge Coronet HEMI. I have many more photos available in the photo slideshow further below.

Enjoy our remaining photos and again please don't hesitateto ask me any questions. This car is available for inspection by appointment only. Call me. Sam 972-748-6389. Again, view my 100% positive feedback as an Ebay Motors Seller and bid with 100% confidence. Bid early and often and I might add a buy it now price at any time. This is your opportunity to own an incredible car, a piece of Mopar muscle history. Few of these cars were built and even fewer remain today. Take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to own an actual documented '66 Dodge Coronet 500 HEMI 426 car with power steering, power brakes, the Certicard, original documents, and a story to tell. Thank you for viewing our auction and God bless.

The tires are reproduction 14-inch Coker Classic redlines fitted on the factory steel 14-inch wheels with beautiful correct wheel covers.

PHOTO SLIDESHOW BELOW / SEE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS