Well the car is now at my buddys house as he had first dibs on it. Finding that car in a junk filled garage after it sat since 1974 is exciting. It was ordered through the San Bernadino police department for the police captain as the story goes. It has power front disc and the broadcast sheet mentions this as a police car item. It is supposed to have the original engine. The owner has somewhere the correct intake and carbs. It currently has a crossram and holleys. The car has a perfect body with original paint. No rust anywhere but the paint is less than perfect and that is to be expected. Plenty of 40 year old dirt. It is missing a few items but overall it was a good purchase. We hope to get some pics soon.

awesome find! Please do post pics.
Is it a 2, or 4 door?

Hemi PLUS cop car....
That has GOTTA be a 1 of 1!
Congratulations to your buddy.

Well, it seems the car is even more than we originally thought. We were afraid the car was going to be worth less than purchase price but we were wrong. Scott, if you are reading this I hope you chime in and explain a few things if you see fit. Thanks again for your help.

The car is an original (12K miles showing and appear original) 1966 Hemi 4 speed Coronet Deluxe 2 door Sedan, white paint, blue interior. Apparently it was ordered by a Police chief and used as his personal vehicle, a single extra light was installed in the grille (looks like a small rectangular fog lamp) and from what I can gather, a Motrola police radio was installed. Other than that it's a typical Street Hemi car, not a factory police car or anything. Car has a partial Broadcast Sheet, certicard, fender tag, VIN tag, all check out as legit (certicard would fill in any BS missing info). Car was a VERY late build, 3rd week of July 1966 and has (rare for 1966) factory power disc brakes and manual steering.

Now, to me the interesting part is what happened next. Allot of guesswork involved in this but when you put all the circumstances and clues together it makes sense. The original engine was MIA, it was replaced with another Hemi, but this one is equipped with a vintage aluminum cross ram, dual Holleys, the block stamping pad is clearly stamped M426, the "M" which from all I can come up with stands for "Marine". My best guess is he puffed the original engine and went over to Kieth Black Racing Engines (his shop is in the same area as the original owner) and bought a crate Hemi cross ram engine to install, or judging by what appear to be 66-71 style heads, just bought a replacement shortblock and the cross ram, he even had a domed KB Racing emblem stuck on the car (very cool!). In my opinion the vintage "Crate" Cross Ram Hemi is a very special piece in it's own right, I've read about them and seen a few blurry photos but never actually seen one, especially 100% complete, it's beyond super cool, I'm sure there are a few guys who would fight HARD to own that piece!


Other additions to the car include a Max Wedge Aluminum hood scoop, 5 spoke front runners, line lock, slotted aluminum rear wheels, a correct 67 RO/WO style reverse lockout Hurst shifter (with red nob on Reverse lockout, super rare piece!), dual trunk mount batteries (look to be factory SS parts, one to run the trunk mounted Motorola unit) A100 van seats (no pics, based on description) 68 side marker lights on all 4 corners, a 70's era drivers door mirror, and stickers here and there from various speed shops and parts he used back in the day. The car looked to have zero rust, all original paint, and to be complete. Other than the dirt and crud covering everything it looked like a time capsule "Day 2" street race car. Personally I would do EVERYTHING in my power to carefully clean it up and drive it exactly how it is. VERY VERY cool nostalgia car that I feel would be worth more than it's equal in ground up restoration simply because you just don't find many in this "Survivor Day 2" condition, not to mention I've noticed a BIG interest swell in super nice original "Day 2" type cars lately. Most of the cars mods appear to have been made between 1966 and 1968.

*If you get permission I'll post pics.

Scott, Darren is the current owner. He has your phone # and will contact you and I will send his # in a PM. He said it would be fine to post the pics. I told him of your interest in the hood scoop and he is more than willing to help out. Looking forward to see the pics posted.

I spoke with Darren (cars new owner, nice guy). He said "sure" on the pics posting.

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Engine

Pretty cool!

i'm mixing this up with another post, not sure which is which, but is this car running?

That, folks, is what you call a BLUE CHIP find!!

MB

It could run but hasn't been fired since 1974......Personally I wouldn't try to start it without at least partial tear down

That is a super coool piece ! I would not restore that car in any way other than clean up and install new hoses, wires,belts,etc,etc. Take off the oil pan,clean out throughly. Take the valve covers off and remove the intake to check for any mice debris. If no debris is found and it does turn over easy remove the plugs and spray the cylinders with penatrating oil and let it set so the rings are soaking. Check for sweat rust on the cam and lifers. If you see rust internally you have no choice but to rebuild the engine. Either way inspection must be done before you do anything. Remember this engine has sat for years with the valve springs compressed etc. If you plan to sell it don't do anything, don't even wash it. Set back and think about it, are you going to keep this car ??? or sell or trade for a more desireable car you like more. Again if you have any reservatons about selling it DON'T DO ANYTHING TO IT, NOTHING.

Logan426

That's basically what I told the guy

Wow!

Check out the cool vintage racing decals, Racer Brown Cams, Schaefer Clutches, Kieth Black, Hooker Headers, etc.

Here's a better overall shot