67 charger as first car

[tmaleck]

@70VCode is correct. There about 70 screws to take out the dash cluster to even change a bulb.

It's been 30 years, but I don't remember it being that bad to the the gauge cluster out. I never pulled the whole dash. I did a lot of used gauge swapping to get the electroglow working as I recall. I'd love to get another 66, but my 68 has kept my car fund near zero since starting the project. I hope it will be done soon, 2+ years is long enough.

 

[ODZKing]

Grab it before someone else does. And I agree with Lefty ... don't drive it in the winter.

 

[Bb70charger500]

Buy it fast! Worst case you have to sell it ! You'll make a few bucks ! Got any pictures !
If you pass please post up info someone will buy it !

 

[Tommy P]

$2-3,000 is a screamin' deal for a 67 big block Charger. I love all the Chrysler product cars, especially in blue. If you're saying you are afraid of driving a big block 383 Charger, and want a classic car as a first car I would suggest getting a small block 318. A 318 is great on gas and has enough power to get out of the way. A big block 383 "drinks" gas but definitely not as much as a big block 440. Heck my rust bucket 318 daily driver Dodge Durango drinks 50 bucks every other week. and I park that for the winter so it doesn't rot more. As @Lefty71 said DO NOT drive it in the winter. That is a bad idea, it will rot like all cars do, but worse because it is an older car if it is exposed to the elements. Also if the car has drum brakes and you take it out in the snow it will probably be much harder to stop than in the spring. You really gotta know how to drive a drum brake car, it takes longer to stop than a disc brake car. My stepdad used to have a 66 Charger small block 318 as a first car. Unfortunately it never got on the road. I see from your profile that you're just 15, its great to know or hear that you are interested in these classic cars and on a classic car forum at this age. You are the next generation that will appreciate these great cars. Welcome to the forum! I'm only 19 and been into classic cars since probably 6 years old.

Im not afraid of driving the car, I just didn't know if id need to be especially careful with it. Im not too concerned about the gas price because I don't spend my money on anything else. Classic Mopars are my favorites. Despite my parents wishes, they know Im gonna find some way to get into a classic. I

Buy it if you can afford it.but don't expect to drive it in the winter.
I'm confused about a "cracked" side glass.
That tempered side glass blows up and not just crack like a windshield
It that reproduced?
Don't know.
Don't think so.

Im honestly not sure how but it has a long straight crack.

 

[someoneanywhere]

Im not afraid of driving the car, I just didn't know if id need to be especially careful with it. Im not too concerned about the gas price because I don't spend my money on anything else. Classic Mopars are my favorites. Despite my parents wishes, they know Im gonna find some way to get into a classic. I


Im honestly not sure how but it has a long straight crack.

Sounds to be a perfect car for you! Just go ahead and buy it, you have the knowledge inside your family to keep it running and seem to have a level head on your shoulders.
Side glass does NOT blow up it is after all safety glass, and they are avail., though can be a thrill of a job to replace.
Don't get frightened about driving it; plenty of us drove moderately hot Mopars as our first car even in Denver blizzards. Simply think ahead of the car and your traffic, don't stampede those horses, or get fancy feet around corners. You'll do just fine!
One serious caveat though: Find out what the story is with the ¨bad alignment¨. Do Not even think of trying to drive it in Winter weather with bad alignment, especially as a first car!!
I wish such a great used car had been my first car!

 

[BSB67]

I have been building anything from cabinets to competition robots my whole life. I am very familiar with tools. My father has also owned 5 different classic cars in the past so he knows a thing or two on them. Im more

Hmmmm.

"....my whole life." How long has that been?

What's your father say?

 

[67440chrg]

It is a good deal. First gen Chargers are nice cars. Try not to drive it in the snow. It will be squirrely and there are not to many left.

 

[Tommy P]

Just buy it and enjoy it as the thing it was made to be.... a really beautiful object of consumer utility. Ohio winter or not!!
If the itch and pocket depth allows sometime you'll have it, have enjoyed driving it and know what you need and want to restore it.
Plus, you'll not have the ¨ ...I could-a had it, **&&@@@!¨ remorse later. ;-)

Hmmmm.

"....my whole life." How long has that been?

What's your father say?

I probably started build things around the house at like 7-8 and built my first simple robot at around the same age. And my father is a electrician at a power plant.

 

[Speedbird]

Sounds to be a perfect car for you! Just go ahead and buy it, you have the knowledge inside your family to keep it running and seem to have a level head on your shoulders.
Side glass does NOT blow up it is after all safety glass, and they are avail., though can be a thrill of a job to replace.
Don't get frightened about driving it; plenty of us drove moderately hot Mopars as our first car even in Denver blizzards. Simply think ahead of the car and your traffic, don't stampede those horses, or get fancy feet around corners. You'll do just fine!
One serious caveat though: Find out what the story is with the ¨bad alignment¨. Do Not even think of trying to drive it in Winter weather with bad alignment, especially as a first car!!
I wish such a great used car had been my first car!

My bad.
I just added to the confusion.
But saying blow up was easier than saying "shatter into a zillion itty bitty pieces" when it breaks.
Admitted, I've never seen one just "crack" like a windshield, but I've not seen everything.

 

[Bb70charger500]

My first car was a 74 charger(a bit different) 318 car .
Within the first week I found out what power braking was I blew my trans apart ! Had to replace alot of gasket's and hoses . Just keep in mind it's old .
If I could do it again I'd still buy my charger and still power brake the hell out of it ! That's how you make memories
A Kia doesn't do that for you !

 

[BSB67]

I probably started build things around the house at like 7-8 and built my first simple robot at around the same age. And my father is a electrician at a power plant.

Two non answers.

 

[Moparnocar]

Mine actually was a 66 too, never drove it in winter tho.

All my friends bought or had thier cars built in highschool, I was the only one to do it by myself and some help from my dad. All I had was hemmings, still found parts tho

Old classmates still ask me about it, definitely was fun.

 

[Maxrat]

I personally don't think a 66 Charger would be a good first car. Old wiring, drum brakes, finicky headlights, not so dependable dash lights, sucks down gas, and will rot fast from winter driving.

 

[someoneanywhere]

I personally don't think a 66 Charger would be a good first car. Old wiring, drum brakes, finicky headlights, not so dependable dash lights, sucks down gas, and will rot fast from winter driving.

Gosh sounds just like the first cars all us budding wrench benders of yesteryear had. Which we both loved and alternately swore at... But, we did learn to enjoy working, collected tools, and made new synapse webs to boot!! Just the ticket I'd say.
I am rather disappointed at our collective negative attitude to a young person with the interest and willingness to do today what so many of us did at their age. They'll assuredly learn a great deal more with this car than some prissy computer controlled plastic box modern sort-a car. Alas! Just buy it and enjoy before the communists rule our cars illegal or one has forced re-programming sentenced upon us! ;-)
semper fi

 

[BSB67]

Gosh sounds just like the first cars all us budding wrench benders of yesteryear had. Which we both loved and alternately swore at... But, we did learn to enjoy working, collected tools, and made new synapse webs to boot!! Just the ticket I'd say.
I am rather disappointed at our collective negative attitude to a young person with the interest and willingness to do today what so many of us did at their age. They'll assuredly learn a great deal more with this car than some prissy computer controlled plastic box modern sort-a car. Alas! Just buy it and enjoy before the communists rule our cars illegal or one has forced re-programming sentenced upon us! ;-)
semper fi

You make a good point on the negative Nancy tone from me. But it is also fair to be a skeptic. We should also be careful to not be blowing smoke up this kid's you-know-what. I think serious skepticism is warranted. This is where his dad needs to weigh-in

Your analogy is really not good about us and our first car. My first car in 1976 was a 1968 Charger for $500. What he is doing would be like me buying a 1924 Dodge for $80 for my first car.

 

[someoneanywhere]

You make a good point on the negative Nancy tone from me. But it is also fair to be a skeptic. We should also be careful to not be blowing smoke up this kid's you-know-what. I think serious skepticism is warranted. This is where his dad needs to weigh-in

Your analogy is really not good about us and our first car. My first car in 1976 was a 1968 Charger for $500. What he is doing would be like me buying a 1924 Dodge for $80 for my first car.

Holly cow.... Kids everywhere!! ;-)

 

[Richard Davis]

Hey I'm new here to the forum but not to the earth. I have seen first hand what Ohio winters can do to a car. Have a reliable backup winter car to drive or pass on the Charger. Let someone else take care of it until you have your ducks in a row. 1st gen Chargers in good shape are going to get scarce. Do the car a favor. Karma will reward you in the end.

 

[Stephen Hotz]

Grab the car and enjoy it. If you can drive an old car good you will be a better driver in the long run. Drum brakes mean dont tailgate and slow down sooner rather than later. Touchy carbs and other stuff, you get an education that is invaluable and one of the few carrying on the knowledge. Go for it.

 

[Maxrat]

I have a restored 66 Charger with manual drum brakes. New cars stop really fast and mine won't -- never will (with drums). For a fairly new driver this is not a good thing at all. We didn't have to contend with this issue when we were young driving these cars. Today's brakes put all of them to shame. Driving the 67 everyday because of no other alternative will wear it slam out. Now, if he were older, had a garage, had a daily driver, and had play money to fix it right I'd say check that off your bucket list.

 

[HOG RANCH]

Just buy it and enjoy it as the thing it was made to be.... a really beautiful object of consumer utility. Ohio winter or not!!
If the itch and pocket depth allows sometime you'll have it, have enjoyed driving it and know what you need and want to restore it.
Plus, you'll not have the ¨ ...I could-a had it, **&&@@@!¨ remorse later. ;-)