[Lee Stewart]

Chrysler introduced it's 440 engine during the 1966 model year. But they seemed to be out of touch with what was happening with Muscle Cars. It was only available as an option on the Dodge Monaco and Plymouth Fury. Instead they pushed the new Street Hemi, an expensive option which would allow Chrysler to run the Race Hemi in NASCAR, and waited until 1967 to "get with the program." Chrysler sold 3,350 Hemi street cars for 1966 . . . Chevy sold 72,000 Chevelle SS 396s while Pontiac sold 96,946 GTOs. I guess Chrysler thought that winning at NASCAR was more important than selling youth oriented cars.