I still don't get it. First gen headlight covers?

[bull]

I used to think the '66 Chargers had headlight covers and the '67s didn't but know I don't know anything for sure. Do all 1st gen Chargers have them and some just don't work right so they leave the headlights out? I just can't seem to get it.

[TeeWJay426]

All first gens- 66 & 67- have the headlights in a rotating drum. Most of them- mine included- quit working over the years, so folks who don't get them operational just disconnect them and turn the drums so the headlights are always out.

[Brock Samson]

 

sorry Bull...

[Ghoste]

There is also an option on 1st gens to over-ride the headlight motors so that the lights stay exposed but the bulbs go out.

[Mean 318]

Thanks, I was wondering the same thing!

[bull]

All first gens- 66 & 67- have the headlights in a rotating drum. Most of them- mine included- quit working over the years, so folks who don't get them operational just disconnect them and turn the drums so the headlights are always out.

Ok. I thought there was a discussion here once about this where someone said some 1st gens had them and some didn't but there just never seemed to be any rhyme or reason to it to me.

That's my only dumb question... for now.

[FastbackJon]

No such thing as a headlight "cover" on a fastback Charger. They just rotate out of view, james bond style.

[FastbackJon]

Watch the video and notice the headlights rotating about 44 seconds into it...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WLz815RbWzU

[pettyfan43]

All first gens- 66 & 67- have the headlights in a rotating drum. Most of them- mine included- quit working over the years, so folks who don't get them operational just disconnect them and turn the drums so the headlights are always out.

I know a guy that rebuilds those Motors if you're interested.

I should be getting mine within a week or so.

[Charger1973]

Always wondered about that myself..

[pettyfan43]

Yeah these first generation cars are just DRIPPING with COOL stuff, the 4 bucket interior, the electroluminescent guages, the full width taillights the molded door panels.

I've had about 15 second gens, 3 third gens and this is my very first 66-67. I can tell you that the first gens are REALLY a more solidly built car than the 2nd and 3rd gens (scream if you want to but I have all 3 and when it comes to they way these things were designed, the 66-67 is WAY ahead of the later ones.)

[Charger1973]

Id love to have one, but you cant have them all...  Well I cant anyway.  Im too obsessed with the 3rd gens to make room for anything else.   

[TeeWJay426]

All first gens- 66 & 67- have the headlights in a rotating drum. Most of them- mine included- quit working over the years, so folks who don't get them operational just disconnect them and turn the drums so the headlights are always out.

I know a guy that rebuilds those Motors if you're interested.

I should be getting mine within a week or so.

I think I know who you're talking about- he's on the 66-67 Charger board, user name is Topher? I sthat who did yours?

[6670charger]

Yeah, you have to be careful when reading some peoples descriptions of things.  The people who call the rotating headlights on these cars "doors" either don't know how they work, or just call it the wrong thing.

[pettyfan43]

All first gens- 66 & 67- have the headlights in a rotating drum. Most of them- mine included- quit working over the years, so folks who don't get them operational just disconnect them and turn the drums so the headlights are always out.

I know a guy that rebuilds those Motors if you're interested.

I should be getting mine within a week or so.

I think I know who you're talking about- he's on the 66-67 Charger board, user name is Topher? I sthat who did yours?

Yeah that's him. The Topherman!  From all accounts he is THE MAN when it comes to the headlamp motors. He does the 70-72 pieces as well but he has to take those on a part by part basis.

[customizedfx]

I've left messages for him and no reply so far- I hope all is well with Topher!

[c00nhunterjoe]

The only difference in the 66-67 covers is one is electric, very similar to the 70 setup; and the other is vaccum like the 68-69

[ODZKing]

The only difference in the 66-67 covers is one is electric, very similar to the 70 setup; and the other is vaccum like the 68-69

Not sure if I am misreading your post but to be clear ALL 66 and 67 Chargers have rotating headlamps which are electric. 2 motors, one for each lamp which is why they don't seem to open together.
My conversation with Carl Cameron some years ago, he told me he designed it with one motor and Chrysler engineers changed it for fear of the motor, which had to be bigger to rotate both those big cast lights, would stop airflow thus causing overheating issues. So they used 2 smaller motors off to the side, one for each lamp.
You can see them fairly clearly in this shot of my car at the lake some years ago before I repainted them black.

[J.Bond]

Have seen an ad for a first gen some years ago, where the seller states , this car does not have the rotating head light option  And , can't tell you how many times, I have been asked, was it an option. As for the first gen itself, fit and finish well exceeds, second or third gen cars. I would think that Chrysler took a bath building the first gen. And maybe that's why everything became generic after that. 

[BROCK]

The 67 Coronet did not have rotating/hidden headlights - but they
look just like the 67 Charger grille when headlights are left exposed. 
Lots of swapping parts has gone on since 67

[ODZKing]

The 67 Coronet did not have rotating/hidden headlights - but they
look just like the 67 Charger grille when headlights are left exposed.  
Lots of swapping parts has gone on since 67

They do look similar but Coronet (67) front parts are aluminum, not cast (pot metal) like the Charger. All the front trim is aluminum as well.

[BROCK]

There are the pics I couldn't get to transfer over! 
Question:  is center treatment, column w/ logo vs
indented model specific - as opposed to year?

[myk]

Ok I'll bite.  How are the 1st 'Gens mechanically superior to all of the other succeeding generations? 

[Musicman]

I've left messages for him and no reply so far- I hope all is well with Topher!

He just popped in to say hey over at the 1st Gen site this evening, but he has been absent for quite a while. I know that he has been extremely busy lately, but that's about it. I talked to him briefly on the phone when I was down in NC a few weeks ago. We tried to get together, but with our differing schedules it just didn't work out.

[Musicman]

Ok I'll bite.  How are the 1st 'Gens mechanically superior to all of the other succeeding generations?  

Didn't anyone ever tell you not to ask questions you don't want to know the answers to?