Chrysler Corp. set the auto industry on its ear (styling-rise) with its 1957-59 “Forward Look” products (which had begun two years earlier). Tailfins grew to new and lofty proportions, and the rest of the U.S. industry would quickly follow suit. In 1958, Dodge was in the second year of fresh styling with its Coronets, Royals, and Custom Royals. This ’58 Royal is a 4-door sedan that belonged to the seller’s father. He’s unsure if it will run but has too many other projects to work on it. So, it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace and in Somerset, Kentucky for $8,500 or a cool trade. Thanks, Zappenduster, for the Mopar tip.
The 1958 Dodges were hard to tell from the 1957s except for the switch to dual headlights vs. singles thanks to a change in Federal government safety regs. The country was in an economic recession in 1958, so most U.S. automakers (including Dodge) saw a decline in demand for their wares (except for companies like AMC with the Rambler American). Of 135,000 Dodges assembled in 1958, 7,500 were Royals with four doors and a V8 engine. The seller doesn’t provide an engine bay photo to help inspect the wares.
This typical Facebook listing is short on meaningful details, though the close-up photos show a car that may have a good body, paint, and interior (the latter may have been redone by Dear Old Dad). The seller spends a lot of time talking about a title that he has but doesn’t have, so what’s the actual story? The odometer reads 25,000 miles, but is it on its second time around? Besides a likely V8 engine, it also has an automatic transmission (push-button, of course).
We’re told this Dodge was running when it was parked, but how long ago was that? It’s either been kept covered up or was washed before the photos were taken. At least one tire appears to be low on air, so has the Mopar been resting for quite some time? Cash is good, but if you have something to trade that the seller can’t resist, bring it on (so, what will scratch his itch? Maybe a boat?). The Royal doesn’t look like “just scrap” as the seller suggests, and scrap isn’t worth $8,500.
Man, the price seems really reasonable, and the likely 361 or 318 shouldn’t be too difficult to get running. And four doors don’t bother me one bit.
I have always longed for an Exner finned Mopar, but alas the timing is all wrong.
I lean towards the GM brands to collect and admire (’65-up), so I’m not a buyer for this. With that being said, I can give props to the clean Dodge styling (and other MoPar brands, starting in ’57). This is super sharp, and dare I say the four door models look as good as the two door models?
As the above picture shows, GM went with ‘more is more’ in ’58. What a juxtaposition.
The ‘title, no title’ verbiage may be that it’s still in the Dad’s name, and he didn’t sign the back. The tape is could be as red as his ’58…
Sounds like it’s time to sign it for dad!
For the asking price the seller needs to go through the process to get the title. Even then, it’s a project car with limited appeal, this is going to be a hard sell with or without the title.
Steve R