66 Charger - things to look for?

[Vrenlos]

The headlights are a mixed bag - driver's side rotates as it should, but the passenger side gets a little stuck...I'll look at it but it was almost midnight by the time I strolled in.

The friend of the person I bought it from who seems to have done most of the maintenance couldn't get it running right, but it sounded like he didn't know what gapping points even was, so that's what I'll check first. I'm debating a new set of points and a condenser vs one of those pertronix units. Also wondering if my spare Holley 500cfm carb might be a nice upgrade?

Oh and I didn't mention - the front brakes were already converted to discs!

 

[Johnpat]

Check lower panels & wheel openings with
a magnet,if doesn't stick might be a problem?

 

[YY1]

Even with huge letters of the make, model and year, you will still get dozens of people asking what it is.

My Satellite says "Plymouth" on the back bumper, "Satellite" on the quarters almost at eye level, and has a front license plate that says "1973"...

...almost everyone asks what it is and what year it is after walking completely around it.

 

[Vrenlos]

I've got a '75 Honda CB550...it generates the same questions despite the big "HONDA" text on the tank and the "550 Four" on each side. People. Hmph.

Doesn't actually get old though!

 

[Maxrat]

I've owned one for nine years now. My car is in the paint shop right now -- it's totally torn down (interior and exterior). I can tell you from experience some of quirks these cars have. 1. The dash lighting can be a real pain. 2. Getting the headlights to rotate properly can be expensive (motors, relays, switches) 3. Rollers in the quarter window regulator are almost guaranteed to be broken or frozen up. And it's a real pain to fix. 4. The tail light chrome is always pitted (expensive to replace) and the lenses (three pieces of plastic) are around $580 to replace. 5. The trim running down the top of fenders can be damaged if you don't know how to remove them and it can be expensive to remove the anodizing and polish. 6. If your one piece headliner is damaged -- good luck finding another one. 7. The console clock is electromechanical -- another expensive item to get fixed. Other than that, it's like a Coronet.

 

[Maxrat]

well i'm sorry if i perturb anyone, i normally just look and laugh!.i've got 2 of the chargers, the one you see in my profile and a parts car.
bought the first one in 1975.quirks no more than any older vehicle, the dash is 120v AC with a converter 1st of its kind.lots of people rebuild or sell new units.
don't be scared of the cars they are wonderful! where else can you buy a car with 4 bucket seats standard not a chevvy! (oh excuse me)
and as a side note Maxrat that name s a GM name! mine has a complete original 2 four maxwedge with 2 NOS systems that just loves to eat mice for brunch!!
wanna play kermit ADDRESS IN PROFILE

It may be a GM name, but that's a 440 in the picture. So you don't think having nine rollers in the quarter window regulators are a quirk. Or two elec. motors, four micro switches, three relays, and a toggle switch to rotate headlights. Or a clock that when it winds down elec. contacts make to energize a motor rewinding the spring wound clock. I think I failed to mention (not just Chargers) the fire hazard by having full amperage going through little spade connectors in the firewall connectors going to the amp gauge -- that was a poor design. Yes the 66 has its quirks. But, it's also the reason they attract so much attention at shows. Note: I also like to mention that the engine is offset to the passenger side by 2 1/2 inches -- Ford and GM owners just shake their heads when you show them that.