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Chrysler really needed to jam its 426 Hemi into a street car to make it eligible for NASCAR. So, starting in 1966, Chrysler decided that the full-sized Dodge Coronet would get the honor. While the Coronet 500 (modestly rated at 425 horsepower) didn't even make it into the official catalogue, Dodge had plenty of ideas on how to sell it.
In 1966, only 732 people opted for the vastly expensive Hemi and the 90 day warranty that came with it, but in return, Dodge gave them a real muscle car. No scoops, no power assistance, just a 3.25:1 rear end, a 26-inch radiator and a 3-speed Torqueflite automatic that would shift that Hemi at 7200rpm. Options included vinyl-wrapped bucket seats and an outside mirror. That's it!
What resulted was a seriously quick muscle car, and one of the first true sleepers of the day. You'd never know what this was just from looking at it, but you sure would know once it took off the line.
