My fascination with the Dodge Charger began in elementary school when I was captivated by its unique fastback design during a NASCAR Grand National race broadcast on Japanese TV. Unlike any other car I had seen, the Charger instantly became etched in my mind as a quintessential NASCAR stock car. While official model kits of the NASCAR Dodge Charger from that era are scarce, primarily limited to older MPC releases, I decided to embark on a creative project. I combined Revell’s production version of the 1967 Dodge Charger with Lindbergh’s 1964 Plymouth Belvedere stock car race version to bring my vision to life.
Since both the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Belvedere shared Chrysler’s robust “B-body” platform of that period, it presented a viable foundation for a kit bash. I meticulously integrated components from the Dodge Charger’s body and interior with the Plymouth’s chassis and engine. Aligning the wheelbase, ride height, engine bay configuration, and interior elements demanded considerable time and patience, but the entire process was immensely enjoyable for a dedicated model car enthusiast.
One significant challenge was adapting the NASCAR-spec roll cage from the Plymouth kit to fit within the distinct contours of the Charger body. Furthermore, recognizing the design discrepancies between the 1964 and 1966 specifications, I opted to fabricate a custom roll cage using plastic round bars, ensuring adherence to the 1966 NASCAR regulations. The dashboard also required modifications to meet racing standards. I carefully removed the instrument panel from the production version and fashioned a race-spec dashboard using plastic plates and an assortment of 1960s-era meter decals.
Turning my attention to the body, I meticulously removed the various factory moldings and emblems from the production car body. To replicate a race-specification fuel filler, I filled in the sculpted fuel lid with putty and added hood and trunk lid catch pins for that authentic race car look. The taillight area was removed, and a spoiler was added to the rear decklid, enhancing the car’s aerodynamic profile and aggressive stance. For the crucial decals, I sourced them from “Mike’s Decals,” a favorite supplier of mine, choosing the livery of the prominent Cotton Owens Garage (COG) team car driven by the legendary David Pearson during that racing season.
This project was more than just assembling a model car; it was a journey back to my childhood fascination with NASCAR and the iconic 1966 Dodge Charger. Combining different kits and scratch-building components allowed me to create a unique tribute to a significant car in NASCAR history, embodying the spirit of the “1966 Dodge Charger Nascar Program Car” that first captured my imagination.
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