1966 Dodge D/Dart ~ 'Mystery, Myth and Misconception'

1966 Dodge Dart GT ~ "Conception of the 1966 D/Dart"

1} February 5, 1966

Chrysler Racing Division sent out a Product Information Letter {Bulletin #5} to all Dealers, to inform
them of the 1966 'Super/Stock Package' that was being developed with the '426 Hemi'.

Chrysler Racing Division has plans of building a 1966 Super/Stock Package for both the
Plymouth and Dodge 'B-Body' cars again with the '426 Hemi'.

At the time, Chrysler is also backing several Racers with the new 1966 '426 Street Hemi' classed
in Top Stock {A/S and A/SA} with the 66' Plymouth Belvedere, 66' Plymouth Satellite, and
66' Dodge Coronets.

At the time, there were no plans for a 'special' 273 Drag Package, as the Chrysler Racing Division
was not that all interested in the 'A-Body' Junior Stockers, as they wanted to put all their efforts
into Super/Stock or Top Stock with the '426 Hemi'.

The Dodge Division {Southern California Dodge Dealers Association} has put together '4' prepped
1966 Dodge Chargers with the 383/325 HP Engine to 'Showcase' and compete in D/Stock 'Manual'
and D/Stock 'Automatic' at both the AHRA and NHRA Winternationals in Southern California.


2} February 11, 12 & 13, 1966 ~ AHRA Winternationals @ Irwindale Raceway, California

Chrysler Racing Division is getting stalled by the Chrysler Machine Division, as there is 'limited time' available
for the Drag Racing Division to put together a 1966 Super/Stock Program.

At the AHRA Winternationals, Mopar Racers are waiting to get information on the new Super/Stock cars.

The Chrysler Reps are unsure on whether they can get a Super/Stock Package together before the next
Major Event, the Springnationals which are set for early June 1966.

The '4' {Factory Backed} 1966 Dodge Charger 383/325 HP Cars are entered at the AHRA Winternationals
in Stock Class > (2} in D/S 'Manual' and {2} in D/SA 'Automatic.

The {2} D/S 4-Speed Charger 383's are eliminated early in Class Eliminations.

The {2} D/SA Automatic Charger 383's fair a little better, as one makes it to the Class Semi-Finals.


3} February 18, 19 & 20, 1966 ~ NHRA Winternationals @ Pomona

Word comes down from Chrysler Racing that due to problems at the Machine Division, there will be a late start
to the 1966 Drag Racing Program, and as a result of a Plant Strike by Union Workers, there will be a delay for the
1966 Super/Stock Program for the 426 Hemi.

In the meantime, the 'Special Performance Group' of Chrysler Racing will focus on supporting the 1966 '426 Street Hemi'
in the Top Stock {A/S and A/SA} Class, as well as existing AWB Cars, Super/Stock Cars, and 'selected' Stockers.

At the NHRA Winternationals, the '4' Factory/Dealer backed 'new' 1966 Dodge Charger 383/325 HP Cars again
fail miserably in Stock Class {classed in D/S and D/SA}, as all '4' Chargers are knocked out early in Class Eliminations.


4} February 25, 1966

Following the D/S and D/SA 'disasters' with the 'new' 1966 Dodge Charger 383/325 HP Cars at the AHRA and NHRA
Winternationals in California, the Dodge Division and the 'Special Performance Group' decide to abandon backing the
#3630 lb. Charger 383/325 HP cars in the D/S and D/SA Class.

It is determined that the 66' Dodge Chargers are too heavy for the {10.60 - 11.29 Wt/HP} D/S Class, and cannot
compete with the 'Top Running' D/S or D/SA Cars due to a poor Weight-to-Horsepower break.