1966
Dodge Charger
Use the photographs to explore materials and details. Equipment and restored finishes can differ from the version in your book.
Colours used
in this example.
A practical palette for the indicative finished example. Build colour gradually and keep the small details clear.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Build two or three light layers along the panels. Leave a narrow paper highlight beside the strongest body crease.
Keep the cabin slightly darker than the glass. Follow the seat divisions without filling every seam with black.
Keep the brightest strips white. Put a narrow cool grey band beside them to suggest reflected light.
Layer charcoal gently around the sidewalls. Preserve lettering and any whitewall areas before deepening the rubber.
Use light, open pencil strokes. Keep this area softer than the car and preserve clear edges around the mechanical detail.
Use light, open pencil strokes. Keep this area softer than the car and preserve clear edges around the mechanical detail.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
Reference photograph 1
White fastback with a black grille and chrome bumpers. The long roofline is visible in this front three-quarter view. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: MercurySable99 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference photograph 2
Red fastback photographed on grass. The full-width dark grille and bright window trim contrast with the red body. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Sicnag · Source · CC BY 2.0Reference photograph 3
Dark green fastback with a light roof. The front corner view shows the concealed-headlamp grille and broad bumper. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Acabashi · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference photograph 4
Black interior detail showing the thin-rim steering wheel and four round dashboard instruments. Bright trim outlines the console and door panel. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Acabashi · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference photograph 5
White fastback photographed from the front side. Narrow bright trim and dark-centred wheels keep the body lines easy to see. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Sicnag · Source · CC BY 2.0Period finishes and details
The first Charger suits more than a dramatic red finish. Hagerty's model account lists period choices including black, silver, dark blue and bright red. Those broad colour families are useful starting points while a build record is needed for an exact paint identity. The long fastback and full-width grille reward restrained highlights. Avoid copying the rear bands and R/T markings of later Chargers onto this 1966 car simply because the name is familiar.
- BlackPeriod exterior colour reference
- SilverPeriod exterior colour reference
- Dark BluePeriod exterior colour reference
- Bright RedPeriod exterior colour reference
Screen swatches are a colouring guide rather than exact paint matches.
Keep the full-width grille treatment and Charger identity specific to 1966. Do not add later R/T rear-band graphics.
In the photographs
The photographs show individual cars in their present condition. Their paint, wheels and trim can reflect restoration or later choices. Use the dated finish references above when aiming for a period scheme.
In the coloured example
The pencil example uses copper orange. It is a creative interpretation, not an exact paint-code match. Use the photographed trim for material cues while keeping the outlines and composition of your book page.
Make the details count.
Plan the Charger’s long rear glass before adding strong colour. Work from a light first layer so that the panel boundaries remain clear.
Finish the full-width rear lamp panel with a sharp pencil. Preserve small white highlights so these details stay separate from the surrounding paint.
Keep the drive-in cinema forecourt with a blank distant screen in quieter tones. A lighter background gives the car’s silhouette room to stand out.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.