My journey into the captivating world of NASCAR began in elementary school, sparked by a Japanese TV broadcast showcasing the thrilling NASCAR Grand National race. Among the roaring engines and fierce competition, one car stood out: the Dodge Charger. Its fastback design was unlike anything I had seen before, instantly making it my favorite NASCAR stock car. This early fascination ignited a passion that led me to recreate a piece of that racing history – a 1966 Dodge Charger NASCAR program car model.
While the market offers limited NASCAR version kits for the classic Dodge Charger, primarily the older MPC models, I decided to embark on a more ambitious and rewarding path. My project became a fusion of two distinct model kits: Revell’s production version of the 1967 Dodge Charger and Lindbergh’s 1964 Plymouth Belvedere stock car race version. Both vehicles, sharing Chrysler’s robust “B-body” platform of that era, provided a solid foundation for a kitbash. This involved carefully combining the Dodge Charger’s iconic body and interior with the Plymouth’s racing-oriented underbody and engine components.
The process was far from straightforward. Aligning the wheelbase, achieving the correct ride height, integrating the engine compartment, and meticulously fitting interior parts demanded considerable time and patience. However, the challenges were part of the fun, pushing my modeling skills and deepening my appreciation for the engineering nuances of these classic cars.
One significant hurdle was adapting the NASCAR-spec roll cage from the Plymouth kit. It simply wasn’t designed to fit the contours of the Charger body. Furthermore, the roll cage designs differed between 1964 and 1966 NASCAR regulations. To ensure accuracy and authenticity, I opted to fabricate a custom roll cage using plastic round bars, meticulously shaped and fitted to conform to the 1966 NASCAR safety standards. Similarly, the dashboard required a racing-specific transformation. I carefully removed the instrument panel from the production version and, using plastic plates and an assortment of 1960s-era meter decals, crafted a dashboard that reflected the spartan yet functional interiors of NASCAR race cars.
The bodywork of the production car also underwent significant modifications to achieve the authentic NASCAR look. I painstakingly removed various moldings and emblems, streamlining the Charger’s appearance for the racetrack. The fuel lid sculpture was filled with putty to create a smooth, race-spec fueling port. Hood and trunk lid catch pins were added for a touch of realism and to replicate the functional hardware of race cars. The taillight area was removed, and a spoiler was custom-fabricated and installed on the rear trunk lid, enhancing the car’s aerodynamic profile and aggressive stance.
To complete the transformation, I sourced decals from “Mike’s Decals,” a supplier I frequent for their quality and selection. I chose decals representing the car run by Cotton Owens Garage (COG), a leading team of the era, driven by the legendary David Pearson. These decals were the final touch, bringing historical accuracy and a vibrant splash of racing livery to my 1966 Dodge Charger NASCAR program car model.
