1955 Dodge Coronet

The first all-new postwar Dodge designs were introduced in 1949, prior to this they had been using mildly updated versions of their prewar product. Joining the lineup in 1949 was the Coronet, serving as the top trim level above the two-door Wayfarer and four-door Meadowbrook series. A complete redesign occurred in 1953, along with an optional 241 cubic-inch 'Red Ram' Hemispherical engine that set over 100 land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The following year, the Royal line was positioned above the Coronet.

The Coronet moved lower in the Dodge vehicle lineup in 1955, with the Wayfarer and Meadowbrook names being dropped, and the Custom Royal added above the Royal, Lancer, and La Femme. Both six- and eight-cylinder engines were available, with the L-head six-cylinder unit displacing 230 cubic-inches and delivering 123 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. It had four main bearings, solid valve lifters, and a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor. The Red Ram V8 had overhead valves, Polysphere combustion chambers, a cast-iron block, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel Stromberg carburetor, and delivered 175 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The Super Red Ram engine had 270 cubic-inches, Hemispherical combustion chambers, and delivered 183 horsepower with the Stromberg two-barrel carburetor and 193 hp with the Carter four-barrel carb. A three-speed manual transmission was standard and a two-speed PowerFlite automatic optional.

Body styles on the Coronet included a two- and four-door sedan, a two-door suburban, a Lancer Hardtop, and a six- and eight-passenger station wagon. Prices for the six-cylinder models ranged from $1,990 to $2,540. The Lancer hardtop was only offered with the eight-cylinder engine and priced at $2,260. The four-door sedan was the most popular with 46,074 examples built. 26,727 were lancer hardtops and 24,104 were the two-door sedan.

The Coronet rested on a 120-inch wheelbase platform and had a length of 212.1-inches.

Under the guidance of newly hired Virgil Exner, all 1955 Dodge models were restyled, gaining six inches to the length, a simulated hood scoop, and a wraparound windshield. In the front was a grille divided into two separate openings with a single horizontal bar that wrapped around the fender and housed the parking light. The Coronet name was located on the front fenders on cars with Lancer trim and ahead of the taillights on standard trim models. Chrome was used around the windshield, rear window moldings, the simulated hood scoop, headlight surrounds, and around the taillights. A single chrome strip ran from the front fender to the rear of the front door.

The Coronet accounted for approximately 35 percent of the 1955 Dodge production.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020