• The Coronet originated as Dodge's top trim model. Dodge restyled the Coronet for the 1966 production year with a little more than a quarter million units produced. Four different trim styles were offered along with a number of engine and accessory upgrades. The base model coupe sold for $2,302, and the base model sedan sold for $2,358.
  
  

Body and Chassis

• Consumers had a number of body style options for the 1966 Coronet. The base model was either a two- or four-door hardtop. Upgrade options included a two-door convertible or a four-door station wagon. Each of the body styles had a wheelbase of 117 inches. The chassis for the coupe and sedan models measured 203 inches in overall length, while the station wagon measured 207.9 inches long.
  
  

Engine and Transmission

• The base package of the 1966 Coronet came with a 225-cubic-inch displacement (cid) six-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission that featured the shifter on the console. Upgrades to a 273, 318 and 361 V-8 engines were offered with the two-barrel carburetor. The 383 V-8 had an optional four-barrel carburetor. A four-on-the-floor manual transmission was available starting with the 361 and 383 engines. In 1966 Chrysler introduced a limited number of "street Hemi" engines into a handful of its vehicles to legalize the Hemi engine under NASCAR's recent rules changes. The Coronet was one of the lucky vehicles to have this option since it was considered a full-size car. According to MuscleCarClub, the 426 Hemi had a 10.25-to-1 compression ratio and 425 brake horsepower. A Coronet equipped with the 426 Hemi could go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and run the quarter mile in 14.5 seconds. Fewer than 800 Hemi Coronets were sold, despite rather high sales of the 273 and 318 V-8 models. Fender emblems were the only external indications of Hemi power on the Coronet.
  
  

Package Upgrades

• The Coronet Deluxe was an accessory and trim upgrade from the base model. The Coronet 440 was more of the luxury edition with upgrades focusing on comfort and appearance. The Coronet 500 model was designed with both performance and appearance in mind, featuring either a hardtop or convertible on the two-door coupe. The Coronet 500 included bucket seats, deep-pile carpeting, a center console, and a 273 V-8 with automatic transmission. Engine and transmission upgrades were available.