The Custom Royal was built by Dodge for 1955-59. It was auto maker’s top trim level, above the mid-level Royal and the base level Coronet. Within the series, 2-and 4-door hardtops and convertibles were referred to as “Custom Royal Lancers.” This ’59 edition is a rotisserie restoration that needs completion. A lot of the work has already been done and a ton of parts come along with the vehicle, currently a work-in-process roller. Located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, this project is available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $28,000.
This Custom Royal Lancer D-500 (that’s a long name) was originally a two-tone car, painted Canary Diamond and Pearl. It was built in Dodge’s plant in Los Angeles, California and is said to be one of 6,278 hardtop Lancers built that final year for the series. Before the restoration began, the car had accumulated 119,000 miles, so it was probably ready for an extreme makeover. It came to the attention of a collector who began the rebuilding process, but his attention more recently got diverted to a drop-top, so the project awaits its next champion.
The body is nearly ready for paint, after the body received a full frame-off refurbishment. The frame itself has been powder-coated and replating of the car’s chrome parts cost more than the asking price of the Dodge. The work that has been done thus far has been carefully documented and those steps fill up a 3 ½-inch binder the seller has, along with the car’s original 1959 registration. A plethora of parts and pieces are provided to help the next party complete the job of getting this car back on the road.
Exterior Components – both bumpers (re-chromed); grille; headlight shrouds; badging, emblems, moldings and other assorted hardware; dual rear antennas; and some glass
Interior Components – dashboard gauges and trim (all restored); reupholstered seats and carpeting; headliner; steering wheel; power window components; door panels; and weatherstripping.
We’re told the Dodge came with a 383 cubic inch V8 with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission, which would have been correct. There is no mention whether either of those important items comes with the package. But front-end and steering components do follow, including tie-rods and control arms. There are likely some more pieces that will be needed to complete the project and hopefully they are minor ones and not difficult to source. When completed, this Dodge Custom Royal Lancer could look something like the last photo, although the color combination would be different if the original scheme were applied.
I wonder what this would look like with a 3″ chop off the top? Looks good the way it is, just wondering when I saw that side shot.
I just can’t get my head around the idea that replating the chrome was a $30,000 job. Granted, this car has a whole lot of chrome goin’ on, but still. I despair of getting the chrome redone on my ’67 Imperial. I’m thinking I will have to seriously consider some alternative.
$30k does seem a little high, but as you mentioned, there’s a lot of plating shown in that picture. I spent a third of that for plating on my ’65 Barracuda, which has minimal flashy stuff compared to this one. I could have had it done for less, but I opted to go with Advanced Plating, and I was not sorry.
Chrome plating is tough, here in new yawk there is only 1 chrome shop , syracuse. I sent the front bumper from my 65 falcon to a place in hartford, ct and it was $600, but it was concours quality. Bumperboyz is a choice but their quality is questionable sometimes. Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
SD James I’ve been wondering that same thing for some years now if I had an extra 30k +another 20 we’d find out I added the Xtra 20k cause the paint would be amazing a dark dark marroon with very light flake and a black with a prearly look and of course blacked out windows would give this car such a sineter look the devil himself would be proud to take it for a cruise
Don’t forget a 20 something version of Elvira. ;)
I had one of these back home in Canada. It was called a Custom Royal, no Lancer. Had a 361 CID V8 (first B engine?) with a single 2 bbl and dual exhaust. No power accessories, I remember using both feet on the brake pedal. The ribbon speedo ran left to right and could be buried off the 120 mark. The tranny push buttons were fun. Was just a thing of beauty and I sure wish I had it back!
A 350 B engine was available in ’58. It was a Golden Commando also ( I think). It had dual 4 bbl carbs with 305 hp
The big problem with someone else’s project is that the buyer does not know whats missing,difficulty in finding remainder
r of parts, incorrectly done portions of restoration etc , etc. Sometimes you come out OK, sometimes you don’t. I doubt the price will reach what the owner anticipates. Projects rarely bring big bucks. Ask any widow.
First B engines were introduced in 1957 as 350 and 361
350 for Plymouth and 361 for Dodges
To be picky, the wedge 350/361 was first available in 1958, not in 1957. In 1957 Dodges with V8 engines came with 325 poly or 325 hemi engines, unless they were made in Canada. And in 1958 the standard wedge motor was the 350 unless you ordered the D500 package, you then got the 361. Coronet and Royal still got the 325 poly in 1958 unless ordered with the bigger wedge engine. And of course the 350/361 was made into a 383 in 1959 even though most Custom Royals came with the 361 wedge engine. 1957 Plymouth had a 301 (or was it a 303?) and as far as I can remember they could be had with the 318 in 1958. But I know a lot more about Dodge than Plymouth cars so you are welcome to correct me if I’m wrong.
If I remember correctly, the 301 was a USA engine and the 303 was Canada.
Wow,nothing like the style of these late 50s dodge/mopar products, love it,and you never see them at shows,at least here in Ohio,sweet ride that needs to be showed and driven.
If it is a 2drht, 4drht or a convertible it is a Lancer, just like Buick called their hard tops Riviera in the 50’s. No Dodge sedan were called Lancer.
Dodge did make sedan versions (2-door and 4-door) of the later compact Lancer.