1957 Dodge Coronet

When the Dodge Coronet entered the scene in 1949, it served as the division's highest trim level. A restyling in 1955 brought a shuffling within the Dodge ranks with the Coronet emerging as the lowest trim line. Newly hired Virgil Exner restyled the bodies to be longer, lower, and wider resulting in an increase in sales over 1954. The Chrysler Flathead straight-6 engine displaced 230 cubic-inches and now delivered 123 horsepower. Two V8 engines were available, including a 270 cubic-inch with Polyspheric (poly or semi-Hemi) heads and delivering 175 hp and a 315 cubic-inch 'Hemi.' The wheelbase measured 120-inches, and the length was 212.1-inches. Power windows were a new standard feature.

The fourth-generation of styling and mechanical improvements was introduced in 1957 and would continue through 1959. The new D-501 replaced the D-500 from the prior year as the top Coronet. The D-501 included a 354 cubic-inch Hemi V8 which were leftover engines from the 1956 Chrysler 300B production. The camshafts from the 1957 Chrysler 392 CID engines were used in the 354 CID V8, and dual Carter four-barrel carburetors helped to produce 340 horsepower. D-501 models rode on 7.60x15 tires on 15x8-inch wheels. Stopping power was by 12-inch diameter drums, and 13 optional rear axles were available, ranging from 2.92:1 through 6.17:1. Suspension upgrades included a Torsion-Air Ride setup in the front, along with heavy-duty shocks, and a heavy-duty leaf-sprung rear. The D-501 was an exclusive option with a mere 101 examples produced.

Virgil Exner endowed the 1957 Dodges with styling similar to the 'Forward Look' Chrysler models. The wheelbase was stretched to 122 inches and a length of 212.2-inches - the station wagons were 214.4-inches long. They were lower, longer, and wider than previous Dodge models and rode on 14-inch wheels. In the front were deeply recessed headlights located below large headlight 'brows,' and chrome trim surrounded the headlights and grille opening. A single horizontal chrome strip traversed the bodyside and along the base of the rear fender fins. The grille had a gullwing-shaped horizontal bar that lowered in the center and included a prominent Dodge crest. The Dodge name, in block letters, could be found along the grille, below the chrome jet-styled hood ornament.

The interior had an instrument panel-mounted inside rearview mirror that was used for several years, but its functionality diminished when the number of passengers increased. With four or more passengers, the rearview mirror was virtually useless. Dodge eventually returned to the conventional windshield mounting point years later.

1957 Dodge models included the base level Coronet, the intermediate Royal, and the top-line Custom Royal series. All had similar styling and footprint, with differences being found in the amount of exterior chrome trim, interior accouterments, and level of standard equipment. The Coronet was priced from $2,330 to $2,800; the Royal listed for $2,670 to $3,000; and the Custom Royal at $2,850 to $3,100. The Dodge lineup also included a series of station wagons and the D-500 Series, a high-performance engine option available on all series. Some believe the 500 was in reference to the Indianapolis 500 while others believe it was in regards to the numbers required to be built in order to be homologated for NASCAR racing purposes. Regardless, it was a high-performance engine option that was one of the most potent powerplants on the market.

The Coronet was offered as a sedan, club sedan, Lancer Hardtop Coupe, Lancer Hardtop Sedan, and a Lancer convertible. The sedan listed for $2,400, the club sedan at $2,340, the hardtop coupe at $2,630, the hardtop sedan at $2,550, and the convertible topped the range at $2,800. Approximately 160,979 examples of the Coronet were constructed in 1957.

Standard equipment on the Coronet included chrome trim around the windshield, along the side, around the grille opening, rear window moldings, and around the fins. They had chrome wheel covers and the Coronet name was placed on the front fenders above the chrome stripe. The standard engine was the L-head six-cylinder 230 cubic-inch unit that had a cast-iron block, solid valve lifers, Stromberg one-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, and delivered 138 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The V8s all featured overhead valves and five main bearings. The Red Ram V8 displaced 325 CID and had hydraulic valve lifters, 8.5:1 compression, a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 245 horsepower in the Coronet and Royal. In the Custom Royal, it used a Carter carburetor to deliver 260 horsepower at 4,400 RPM.

The D-500 Hemi 325 CID V8 produced 285 hp with a Carter four-barrel carburetor, and 310 hp with dual Carter four-barrel carburetors. The D-501 354 CID Hemi V8, a mid-year offering, used two Carter four-barrel carburetors, 10.0:1 compression, and hydraulic valve lifters with 340 hp.

Optional equipment included a PowerFlite or TorqueFlite automatic transmission, turn signals, Mopar radio, electric clock, heater, Air Temp air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows, and power seats. A Highway Hi-Fi automatic record play was also available, along with windshield washers and white sidewall tires.

Most of the 1957 Dodge vehicles were equipped with automatic transmissions and approximately a quarter had power brakes. Over half were equipped with radios and a mere 2.1 percent had power windows. Dual exhaust was very popular with over 93-percent being fitted with this feature.

Dodge produced 281,359 years during the model year, a healthy increase over the 233,686 units produced the prior year. 1958 was an economic recession and sales reflected the hardships with sales dipping to 133,953 units.

The Coronet would continue through 1959 and was returned in 1965 as the intermediate-sized B-body resting on a 117-inch wheelbase. Production continued through 1975 when the two-door model was replaced by the Dodge Charger Sport two-door. For the 1977 model year, the mid-size Dodge Coronet was renamed Monaco.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018