Dodge Custom Royal D-500 Convertible, 1957
Dodge Custom Royal II
Dodge Custom Royal II•
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Chassis No.: 37278230
Auction: Kissimmee 2017
Auction date: January 15, 2017
Lot No.: T141
$45,100 | Sold
- Exterior: Blue/White
- Interior: Blue/white
- Body: Convertible
- 1 of approximately 125 Custom Royal Convertibles equipped with the D-500 Performance Package in 1957
- Mostly original paint
- Mostly unrestored interior
- Virgil Exner ‘Swept Wing’ Forward look design
- 325/285 HP Red Ram Hemi engine
- 345 ft/lbs of torque
- Carter 4-barrel carburetor
- Dual exhaust
- Pushbutton Torqueflite automatic transmission
- Torsion-Aire independent front suspension
- Minor cosmetic bodywork administered approximately 5 years ago
- Two-tone Blue and White interior
- Tri-tone interior
- Driver seat insert replaced
- Dual rear antennas
- Wide Whitewall tires
- Full size wheel covers
- 62,000 original miles
- Partial build sheet
- Original sales order
The Custom Royal was the flagship model for Dodge between 1955 and 1959. This model was fitted with the top level of trim available from Dodge at the time and featured chromed tail fins. Other trim options in the Custom Royal package included special tail-light surrounds, an upscale interior, backup lights and a Super Red Ram Hemi engine. Another option available in conjunction with the upscale-trim package was a high-performance package dubbed the D-500. This package brought with it a heavy-duty suspension, upgraded brakes and other chassis upgrades that were utilized from the New Yorker and Imperial lines.
The D-500 package also added upgrades to the Hemi engine, including a Carter 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust. Design of the car was handled by Virgil Exner and utilized a “Swept Wing” forward-look design that earned the Industrial Designers Institute Gold Medal in 1957. This 1957 Dodge Custom Royal D-500 convertible is very rare and one of approximately 125 ever built with both option packages. The two-tone Halo Blue on Sapphire White exterior is beautifully matched with a similar three-tone interior. The exterior is covered in chrome, including the front grille and bumper, hood ornament, rear bumper and dual rear antennas.
The interior is in beautiful shape and only the front bench seat has been reupholstered. The dashboard houses multiple gauges, a heater, radio and rearview mirror, while the convertible top boot is in great shape. A 325/285 HP Red Ram Hemi engine puts out 345 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a pushbutton TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The comfortable ride of the car is aided by Torsion-Aire independent front suspension and wide whitewall tires. The car has traveled only 62,000 miles and comes with the remnants of a build sheet found while reseating the springs.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/274330/1957-dodge-custom-royal-d-500-convertible/
