A66 code 340 Convertible in England • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Jim** » 25 Apr 2006 11:49

Here's my A66 code 340 Convertible.

Rotisserie restoration of a rust free California car by Richard Ward in Manchester. The car is FJ5 Sublime.

by **dave-r** » 25 Apr 2006 12:46

Thanks for posting this here Jim. A fine example of the breed.

by **Jim** » 25 Apr 2006 12:53

Hi Dave. I can't believe I didn't post this here before! 'Sorry about that.

I don't think you have seen this car since Richard restored it? It really is lovely. I am planning to take it to the 'Nats in July, - so see you there.

by **babyelephant** » 25 Apr 2006 20:58

It's your car featured in the Classic American magazine last month, right? It's a beauty! Nice ride.

by **JackT** » 25 Apr 2006 23:52

Very nice, very rare!

by **Jim** » 26 Apr 2006 8:09

Yes that's right, it is featured in March 2006 Classic American magazine.

I also own a 1971 Road Runner N96 Air Grabber car with a strong 440, a real 1970 Hemicuda, and it must be said, - a 2004 C5 Corvette.

The 340 Challenger isn't the fastest, but it doesn't have to be. I just love owning and driving it.

by **dave-r** » 26 Apr 2006 8:35

You didn't manage to sell the HemiCuda then Jim?

Jim have you seen JackT's R/T SE?

http://challenger.mpoli.fi/forum/viewto ... 9209#19209

It has a 999 paint code for the EA9 Charcoal Iridescent which was not available on Challengers. Very cool colour.

by **Christer** » 26 Apr 2006 10:46

JackT wrote:Very nice, very rare!

I agree, but I wonder how rare? (How many 340, A66, convertibles were made?)

by **dave-r** » 26 Apr 2006 12:41

Christer wrote:I agree, but I wonder how rare? (How many 340, A66, convertibles were made?)

264 US shipped. 178 were automatics.

by **Jim** » 26 Apr 2006 12:58

Blimey Dave. I had never heard of EA9 before.!

by **dave-r** » 26 Apr 2006 13:11

Jim wrote:Blimey Dave. I had never heard of EA9 before.!

Good looking colour though eh?

by **Mike l** » 26 Apr 2006 13:28

66 were 4-spd
20 were 3-spd

by **Jim** » 26 Apr 2006 13:46

Yes, EA9 is a good looking colour.

Mine is one of the 178 automatics.
It's interesting that A66 340's got Hemi suspension. And only A66 cars and Hemi's came standard with 15 x 7 wheels. - Even the 'V' code cars didn't get them as standard.

The A66 340 was a dammed good package, - only a shame they didn't get an 'S' in the VIN and R/T emblems.

I always thought it strange that in 1970 340 and AAR Cuda's got BS VIN's, and 340 and T/A Challengers got JH VIN's. The Challenger 340 didn't get a JS VIN until 1971. I reckon Mopar realised they had made a mistake.

by **dave-r** » 26 Apr 2006 15:49

But did the A66 cars get 15 inch wheels or not?

I always said YES in the past but others here pursuaded me I was wrong because they have examples of these cars with 14 inch wheels and the Dealer brochure you lent me says 14 inch.

by **Jim** » 26 Apr 2006 16:11

Well Dave. Remember that dealer brochure i sent to you would have been produced very early for the 1970 year, I bet there are other errors in it. Other sources, including I believe Galen Govier are sure that 15 x 7 Rallye wheels were standard issue on A66 code 340 cars.

If i had to put money on it, i reckon i would plonk it down in favour of yes all A66 cars had 15 x 7's. Having said that; have you seen a broadcast sheet for an A66 car that details 14" wheels?

Unfortunatley i don't have the broadcast sheet for my car (i wish) but you may remember when i bought this Challenger it was all original (scruffy) paint. In fact the whole car is very original, and it does have 15 x 7 rallye's that i would bet were original with this car.

by **dave-r** » 26 Apr 2006 18:02

Thanks for that Jim. More investigation needed then.

by **JackT** » 26 Apr 2006 23:47

Check the fasteners that hold the top of the front fender to the top of the inner fender. On 15" cars, TA's and Hemis, the fasteners were studs sticking up from the inner fender with nuts holding the fender down. On 14" cars, there were bolts through the fender into U nuts set into the inner fender. Also, the front fenders are different. On a TA or Hemi, the rolled lip at the top of the wheel cut-out is longer than it is on a 14" car and the diagonal brace that you find above the wheel inside the front fender on a 14" car is absent on a TA and Hemi front fender.

by **Jim** » 27 Apr 2006 8:21

That is interseting JackT..! I will check on my car.

by **70 340** » 01 Jul 2007 12:26

Just reading some old posts and found this one about A66 cars. My 70 challenger is also a A66 car that come from LA. Just going back to the 14" or 15" wheels, my car was originally fitted with 15" standed wheels with the dog dish caps. In the drivers door jam on that decal it had minimum tyre size 15". The front fenders are held on with bolts through the fender into u nuts set into the inner fender (original fenders and inner fenders). Dose someone know how many A66 coupes were made?

by **Jon** » 01 Jul 2007 14:05

Hello mate, my car is an LA built a66 code coupe. I don't know how many were made but am sure someone here does. This car came with 15" wheels, .92" torsion bars, rallye dash, hood, front disk brakes, and manual steering when I bought it in 1976. As for the fender bolts they are bolts not studs except the hidden one near the cowl. I still have the door sticker and it states minimum tire size E60 x15 load range B

Here is a picture of it in fairly unmolested state before any paint work. A few battle scars but very nice driver side. The R/T badges may have been put on by the previous owner. There is holes in the fender for mounting them so cannot say for sure. There were no emblems on the grill or trunk though.

by **JackT** » 01 Jul 2007 23:49

730 and Jon, do either of your cars have additional special fender tags such as "hemi fender" or "trans am" ?

by **70 340** » 02 Jul 2007 1:41

Jon, what color is your car? What other options has it got?

by **Jon** » 02 Jul 2007 14:48

JackT, I lost my fender tag sometime back. Possibly during a repainting episode. The holes for the screws are there for but only for one tag. Am I missing another location?

70 340 here is a color picture. It is 4-speed car had the large radiator, rollup windows, no A/C, 1 speaker in dash, power brakes, basically not to many options.

by **70 340** » 02 Jul 2007 23:39

Jon, if your car come with two tags they should be side by side on the L/H inner fender.

by **JackT** » 03 Jul 2007 3:16

I have seen "Hemi Fender" and "Trans Am" tags held on by one screw and two screws, but usually two just like a second fender tag. I will have to check the bolt/stud issue on the next hemi e-body I see.