Image Credit: Richmond Auctions.At first glance, this white 1966 Dodge Coronet 500 looks surprisingly modest for a car born during one of Detroit's wildest performance eras. The black vinyl top and simple steel wheels hardly advertise what Dodge tucked underneath the hood.Popping the hood reveals something far less ordinary. This Coronet was built during the inaugural year of Chrysler's Street Hemi, when the 426-cubic-inch V8 finally escaped its competition-focused roots and became available to brave street-car buyers.Pairing that engine with a four-speed manual makes for a desirable piece of Mopar history. However, what makes this particular Coronet fascinating is what happened to it during the six decades that followed — or, perhaps more accurately, what didn't happen to it.The car is now headed to Richmond Auctions' Inaugural Fall Spectacular at the Savoy Automobile Museum, where it will be offered without reserve. A closer look at its history and condition reveals why this isn't simply another old Hemi Mopar crossing the auction block.A First-Year Street Hemi With A 4-SpeedImage Credit: Richmond Auctions.The 1966 model year marked the introduction of Chrysler's fearsome 426 Street Hemi. This Coronet 500 was ordered with that coveted engine option along with a heavy-duty New Process A833 four-speed manual and Dana 60 rear axle with 3.54:1 gearing.Richmond Auctions describes the 426-cubic-inch Hemi as period-correct rather than numbers-matching. Factory rated at 425 horsepower, it has numerous correct components including its intake and exhaust manifolds, distributor, valve covers, oil pan and air cleaner.The transmission is also described as period-correct and retains the correct Inland shifter, bellhousing, and other associated hardware. Hemi-specific chassis reinforcements, the appropriate K-member with skid plate, and factory undercoating are still found underneath.Richmond says approximately 205 Coronet 500 Hemi four-speed examples were produced, making this a particularly scarce combination even before preservation enters the equation.Much Of 1966 Is Still HereImage Credit: Richmond Auctions.Mopar specialist David Wise of MMC Detroit went through the car extensively, ultimately describing it as a "Benchmark" level vehicle. His report documents approximately 95% original white paint and a completely original black premium bucket-seat interior.Original glass and trim remain, as do numerous engine-bay components, wiring, trunk hardware, labels, and factory production markings. Even the trunk contains its jack hardware and a period Goodyear spare.Documentation includes the VIN and fender tags, production broadcast sheets, and IBM card. Matching primary and secondary body shipping-order stampings were also verified, while the trim tag records a scheduled production date of April 19, 1966.It's Selling With No ReserveImage Credit: Richmond Auctions.The Coronet is equipped with a black vinyl roof, floor console, AM radio, and remote outside mirror. None of those features can compete with a dual-quad Hemi and four-speed for attention, although they're part of what makes such an original survivor useful as a reference for how these cars actually left the factory.Richmond Auctions hasn't published a presale estimate, and the car is being offered without reserve. That means the highest bidder gets it regardless of where bidding ultimately stops.Restored Hemi Mopars aren't exactly difficult to find at major collector-car auctions. A 29,000-mile 1966 Coronet 500 that still wears nearly all its original paint and all of its original interior is a much rarer sight.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
