1959 two door Dodge Custom Royal Lancer convertible @ Portersville, PA
The “forward look” of the 217-inch-long body is best described as a symbol of motion; from the recessed quad lamps to the long, low and sleek swept-back fins, and even the exposed brake lamp lenses. In fact, the taillamps were described as a safety element, visible in profile. Styling firsts included compound curved windshields.
Back in 1957, the Automobile Manufacturers’ Association had pulled their support from motorsports. But that didn’t mean performance had evaporated from under the hood with its withdrawal. It continued to escalate, thanks in part to public demand.
As an example, 1959’s base engine in each Custom Royal was the “Ram Fire” 361-cu.in. V-8 topped by a four-barrel carburetor. With a 10:1 compression ratio, the engine packed a 305hp punch and 400-lbs.ft. of torque; that’s 45 more horses than the base offering in 1957. If that wasn’t enough power, the D-500 option would net a 383-cu.in. engine, four-barrel carburetor, 320hp and 420-lbs.ft. of torque. Topping the list was the Super D-500: the same 383 block topped by dual quads that produced a factory rating of 345hp and 425-lbs.ft. of torque. The famed push-button TorqueFlite automatic backed each of these available engines; no manual transmission was available. (Matt Litwin)
1959 two door Dodge Custom Royal Lancer convertible @ Portersville, PA
The “forward look” of the 217-inch-long body is best described as a symbol of motion; from the recessed quad lamps to the long, low and sleek swept-back fins, and even the exposed brake lamp lenses. In fact, the taillamps were described as a safety element, visible in profile. Styling firsts included compound curved windshields.
Back in 1957, the Automobile Manufacturers’ Association had pulled their support from motorsports. But that didn’t mean performance had evaporated from under the hood with its withdrawal. It continued to escalate, thanks in part to public demand.
As an example, 1959’s base engine in each Custom Royal was the “Ram Fire” 361-cu.in. V-8 topped by a four-barrel carburetor. With a 10:1 compression ratio, the engine packed a 305hp punch and 400-lbs.ft. of torque; that’s 45 more horses than the base offering in 1957. If that wasn’t enough power, the D-500 option would net a 383-cu.in. engine, four-barrel carburetor, 320hp and 420-lbs.ft. of torque. Topping the list was the Super D-500: the same 383 block topped by dual quads that produced a factory rating of 345hp and 425-lbs.ft. of torque. The famed push-button TorqueFlite automatic backed each of these available engines; no manual transmission was available. (Matt Litwin)