'66 Newport 2 Door hardtop

[darth_linux]

First car show of the year! Only Chrysler present!

 

[fury fan]

I bet if you listened to other folks talking at the show, at least 5 referred to it as 'the black Dodge next to the Charger'.

 

[darth_linux]

Got my build card today! Only took 28 days. Not too many options that I can see: padded Sun visors? AC, split bench with armrest is about it …. Something about the tires .

 

[CBODY67]

To me, "Padded Sun Visors" started in 1967 or 1968? Otherwise, just vinyl-covered items. The later model year items seemed to be molded and were thicker.

Might need to look at the option codes at www.hamtramck-historical.com ?

CBODY67

 

[darth_linux]

To me, "Padded Sun Visors" started in 1967 or 1968? Otherwise, just vinyl-covered items. The later model year items seemed to be molded and were thicker.

Might need to look at the option codes at www.hamtramck-historical.com ?

CBODY67

I will check out the codes. I have an 8 on the line marked “pad dash+sunvisors/mldg/license frame”. Thanks for the link.

Yep, confirmed, option 548 “pad dash+sunvisors.” The visors seem like they have something between the hardboard and vinyl - maybe jute, but they aren't super thick.

 

[darth_linux]

My Build Card, decoded:
Year: 1966
Make: Chrysler
Model: Newport
Serial #: CL23G66195870

1st digit (car line): C = Chrysler
2nd digit (model series): L = Newport (low cost)
3rd & 4th digit (body type): 23 = 2 door hardtop
5th digit (engine): G = 383 V8, 2bbl carb.
6th digit (year): 6 = 1966
7th digit (plant): 6 = Newark, DL
Last 6 digits (assy number): 195870

Region #: 33 = Philadelphia
Dealer Code #: 7236 = Langhorne, PA, Reedman/Toll Chrysler

Body Type: CL23 = Newport 2 door hardtop
Color: BB1 = Formal Black
Trim: L7R = all vinyl split bench seat w/armrest, red

Options:
Trim: 379 = L7R (all vinyl split bench seat w/armrest, red)
Accessory Group: 351 = Golden Tone AM Radio, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Light Package (Glove Box, Trunk, Map/Courtesy, Parking Brake Warning, Right Ashtray, Fender Directional Signal Indicator)
Engine: 61 = Firepower 383 (8 cyl. 2 BBL)
Transmission: 395 = Torqueflite - 3 Speed Automatic
Axle Ratio: 401 = 2.76
Air Conditioners: 411 = standard A/C
Tires: 65 = WHITEWALL 8.55 x 14
Tinted Glass: 521 = Tinted, All Windows
Safety: 548 = Sun Visors, safety padded
Seats: 553 = Seat Cushions Foam F & R, 557 = seat belts - retractable 2 front & 2 rear
Wheel Covers: 581 = Deluxe

 

[darth_linux]

Pulled the brake booster today. Sending it to power brake booster rebuilder in San Jose California. The quote was $195 plus shipping. This is a Bendix 9 inch single diaphragm unit.

 

[darth_linux]

Well, after no small amount of struggle, the original AC components are all completely removed. While I wait on the brake booster to be rebuilt, I’m gonna do some extensive underhood cleaning and rust “repair.”

 

[carguy300]

Gonna look good when you get done. You have always been very thorough when cleaning and upgrading the SS Anderson!

 

[413]

Your engine looks like it's light blue on my screen. From the factory it was turquoise. Thought I'd bring this up if your detailing involves engine paint.

Yes the exhaust job looks well done.

 

[darth_linux]

Your engine looks like it's light blue on my screen. From the factory it was turquoise. Thought I'd bring this up if your detailing involves engine paint.

Yes the exhaust job looks well done.

Yes, the engine was rebuilt at some point in the last 15 years or so, and they painted it corporate blue :-( I’ll redo it in the proper turquoise if/when I have a reason to pull the engine. Or if I get through my todo list, I could just paint the intake, valve covers and water pump housing and call it good, since that’s all you can see anyway.

 

[darth_linux]

I got the new condenser installed today. Brackets are all custom. I went with a 24 x 14“ condenser. The 26 x 17 was just too big. We’re almost ready for AC lines, just waiting on the brake booster to come back.

 

[carguy300]

Looking good.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Looks great. I suggest that you try to source a shroud for that rad, now that you'll be putting extra cooling load on the system with the addition of the condenser.

 

[darth_linux]

Looks great. I suggest that you try to source a shroud for that rad, now that you'll be putting extra cooling load on the system with the addition of the condenser.

It’s a 26” 22" rad with a metal factory shroud already! Factory AC car

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Interesting - looks like a 22" round top rad in your pics.

 

[darth_linux]

Interesting - looks like a 22" round top rad in your pics.

It sure does, now that you mention it, but it does have a factory shroud. Probably explains why the 26” condenser was way too big. Somehow I had it in my mind that all AC cars had 26” rads.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

From 66 and up, yes, AC cars got a 26" square top rad with plastic shroud and the appropriate sized rad yoke (bigger opening)... but a 65 rad with AC was a heavy duty 22" round top with a metal shroud. That rad would bolt into a 66 non-AC 22" rad yoke and look correct.

I believe there was a parts counter "high altitude and trailer tow cooling package" to fit the 22" rad (clutch fan and metal shroud), but they were sold/installed at the dealer, as any 66 ordered that way would have received the 26" inch rad, yoke and plastic shroud and clutch fan on the assembly line...

So all of this begs the question - if you say the car was originally factory air, but it has a 22" radiator and shroud/yoke etc. in it, then perhaps there was a front end collision which resulted in some of that stuff being changed out with '65 parts when it was repaired...

Regardless, if it's a heavy duty 22" and shroud etc., then you're good for the extra cooling load of AC.

 

[darth_linux]

From 66 and up, yes, AC cars got a 26" square top rad with plastic shroud and the appropriate sized rad yoke (bigger opening)... but a 65 rad with AC was a heavy duty 22" round top with a metal shroud. That rad would bolt into a 66 non-AC 22" rad yoke and look correct.

I believe there was a parts counter "high altitude and trailer tow cooling package" to fit the 22" rad (clutch fan and metal shroud), but they were sold/installed at the dealer, as any 66 ordered that way would have received the 26" inch rad, yoke and plastic shroud and clutch fan on the assembly line...

So all of this begs the question - if you say the car was originally factory air, but it has a 22" radiator and shroud/yoke etc. in it, then perhaps there was a front end collision which resulted in some of that stuff being changed out with '65 parts when it was repaired...

Regardless, if it's a heavy duty 22" and shroud etc., then you're good for the extra cooling load of AC.

Measured just to be sure, and indeed it's a 22" round top radiator. It has the factory metal shroud and fan clutch. This car is a late '66 model, built in Delaware. Not sure why that would matter, but maybe they had a few of the '65 style heavy-duty rads lying around there that they needed to get rid of so they tossed it into my car. I don't know. The car shows no signs of any collision repair to my eye, unless the entire front clip was replaced, but that still doesn't really make sense that they'd use a '65 style radiator.

Its definitely curious, and I thank you for giving me some new information about which cars got a 22" rad and which cars got the 26". I stand corrected.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Not corrected, just more knowledgeable!

It could well be that if a collision occurred, perhaps it was something where the correct parts were not available easily, and used parts were employed - I figure they'd likely bolt right in if they were 65 - yoke, rad, shroud, etc.