Does adding more names to a car make it more desirable? Perhaps that was Dodge’s thinking when the Custom Royal Lancer debuted in 1955. For five years, it would be Dodge’s top-of-the-line offering and only came as a hardtop or convertible. The seller’s 1959 edition has been in the same family since new and has only 2,000 miles since it was completely restored. Located in Ferndale, Washington, this finned wonder is available here on craigslist for $39,500. Give credit to “Curvette” for another bodacious tip!
The high point for the “Forward Look” Chrysler products was from 1957 to 1959. That included Dodges like the seller’s example, which wears well 20 feet of pink from head to toe. The 1959 model year was the third year of the styling cycle that made tailfins the talk of the town. Beginning in 1960, these Dodges would shift to unibody construction, and the winged rear ends began to disappear. Examples like the seller’s car could be ordered with the D-500 383 cubic inch V8 that was a high-performance, wedge-head engine. These were potent motors that produced well north of 300 hp.
This Dodge had become tired by the time it was restored, with 93,000 miles (95,000 now). It has Chrysler’s push-button automatic transmission, which was popular until replaced by a column shifter in 1965. The family has a lot of history to pass along, including the car’s original sales receipt from an Everett, WA, Dodge dealer. Restored to as-new condition, the body is solid, the paint shiny, and the interior tidy, all of which enabled the Mopar to win a trunk full of trophies.
There are a couple of minor problems that the buyer will have to address, as the seller isn’t interested in putting any more effort into the machine. One is brake-related, the other a fuel tank leak. But the Dodge is still ready to continue to be driven and shown. The car has those cool swivel seats that Chrysler was fond of in those days. This beauty can be had for the seller’s asking price, with some possible help with shipping expenses.
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