[olmanwinter]

I like to read old newspapers when I can find them, especially the advertisements and classifieds. I recently came across a copy of the Topeka, Kansas Daily Capital from October of 1967. I was scanning the classifieds when I found an ad from Jim Clark Chrysler which included a 1966 Plymouth Belvedere with a Hemi and four-speed, PLUS a radio. Sadly, I didn't see a single ad for a performance-minded Pontiac.





Nowadays, everyone would p**p their pants to find this, but back then, it seemed to be just another car. I do recognize that at just shy of $3k, it was a good amount of money back then.

When I used to talk with the older parts personnel and mechanics at the dealership I worked at, they would tell me about the "special" vehicles that they owned and ran hard. To them, it was just another car to use up and get another one when they could afford it. Chevelle SS396, Mustang Mach 1, 442, GTO; it didn't see to matter. Unfortunately, I was born too late to fit into this group.

Anyone care to comment on this, one way or another?

Thanks, Olmanwinter

[Scarebird]

New in '66 that was a $2,500 car (V8) with no options.
The Hemi was $1,100 more unless it was a race Hemi and then that was $1,900.

[rwfisher]

That extra bump to $3K was big if you figure most car loans then @ 48 month so without Tax, Title, Interest, insurance etc. you were looking at $63 month when you were probably making $150wk. Kinda like buying a Hellcat today....... Now factor in that 6mi to the gallon and your bald tires....... Not a family man's sedan!!!

[455Grandville]

Hemi was a great engine but you had to lash the valves often and the carbs had to be kept in tune often. Assuming you could even get insurance you’d be better off to keep it as a toy and have cheap used Rambler, VW, or Valiant for a daily driver.

[salem1912]

11th grade tech school(1974) we had a kid in food prep that wanted us to see why his 68 Plymouth wasn't running good. To our surprise it was a '68 Hemi Roadrunner. The one set of points close up (easy fix) but we told him to drop it of once a week for adjustments. That lasted about two week. Just car back then.