Car Craft Q & A
Car Craft: Where did the idea for this story come from?
Larry Doerr: I just wanted to do something different and wanted to change the look of the car. I knew the story of what Chrysler did during that time and thought that we could make it look like what it could have been. I did some drawings and the wing just looked right on this fastback design, and it all fit together.
CC: What's the best comment you've heard about your car?
LD: A lot of people have told me that they don't like the '66-'67 Chargers, but they tell me that they would own this car.
CC: Are there people who think the story is true?
LD: A lot of people do. If anyone asks, we always tell them "Don't believe everything you read!"
Larry created his own cowl induction system by modifying a '69 Chrysler Imperial air cleaner assembly to look like something the factory would have done in 1966. Under the air cleaner is a 460ci mild wedge that Larry estimates makes around 400 hp.
CC: You also mentioned using muriatic acid to clean the rust. Did that work like acid dipping?
LD: No, the acid merely removed the rust. It took about 12 hours to do each individual panel. It took a long time to do the whole car. Then we had to fill in all the pits in the metal with either spot putty or primer.
The Details
Car: '66 Dodge Charger
Owner: Larry Doerr
Engine: Dodge 440 bored 0.040 over, 460 ci, 10:1 compression
Heads: Production iron, ported
Camshaft: Mopar Performance flat-tappet hydraulic, 252/252 degrees advertised duration, 0.472/0.472-inch lift, double roller chain
Induction: Weiand dual-plane with 750-cfm Demon carburetor and modified '68 Chrysler Imperial air cleaner assembly
Output: 400 @ 6,000 rpm (est.)
Transmission: Dodge New Process four-speed with Hays clutch and pressure plate
Rearend: Dodge 831/44-inch with 3.23 gears, limited-slip, stock axles
Front suspension: Stock with gas shocks and '73 Challenger front spindles
Rear suspension: Rear axle moved rearward 1/2 inch to center wheel in the wheelwell, stock leafsprings
Brakes: '73 Dodge Challenger front disc brakes, stock rear drum
The first Charger 500 didn't appear until 1969, but this emblem looks like it belongs in the middle of this grille.
Wheel and tire: Magnum 500 wheels, 15x7-inch front, 15x10-inch rear; BFGoodrich 255/60R15 Radial T/A front and 295/50R15 rear
Interior: Seat covers by Legendary Interiors installed by owner, Auto Meter water temp and oil pressure gauges
Body mods: Handmade steel rear wing, quarter-panel and front fender scoops, all emblems shaved, custom-built grille emblem, removed rocker panel moldings with all work performed in Larry's backyard shop including body mods and paint
Paint: By Dick Brown of Sioux City, IA, with orange basecoat/clearcoat along with white bumblebee stripe
Cost to build: "I don't want to know"
The interior is virtually stock with just a pair of Auto Meter gauges to report water temperature and oil pressure. |  | 
Larry widened the stock 15x7-inch Magnum 500 wheels for the rear out to 10 inches to accommodate larger 295/50R15 Radial T/A tires. |