1958 Dodge Custom Royal and Coronet
This article consists of some of information I have on the 58 Custom Royal Dodge Sedan. As information about this vehicle is rather obscure, any discrepancies are due to the lack reliable sources. Having owned a 1958 Custom Royal for two years now and having an original workshop manual, I will endeavour to provide you with the best information I can.
1955 Dodge models
We have a very detailed look at the Dodge Coronet, Royal, and Custom Royal of 1955, with their engines, transmissions, and accessories - click here to visit.
What's a 1958 Dodge ?
In 1958 the Dodge division of the Chrysler Corporation of Detroit, Michigan released among many three models called the Coronet, Royal, and Custom Royal. These models used the same turret as some Desotos, but had a distinctive body style of their own.
Coronet
The Coronet was produced as a base model of the three. It didn't have as much chrome work as the other two models, which was especially noticeable on the front with the lack of 'teeth' and dress work. They also had a different rear bumper bar which had little rubber stoppers on the corners. Ironically, the Coronet had been the top Dodge model from 1949 to 1953.
The majority of Coronets had the Getaway L-head Flat 6, a mighty engine in its time which produced a 123 gross horsepower. They also came out with the 325 cu inch Red Ram V8. This engine coupled with the optional PowerFlite push button two speed transmission made it a good package to drive. The PowerFlite transmission had a 1.72 to 1 first gear which made it comparable to the GM PowerGlide. The standard transmission on all models except D500 package and option models was the 3 speed TorqueFlite automatic.
Click here for a full Dodge Coronet history.
Dodge Royal
I have seen many Chrysler Royals which are vastly different from anything Dodge, they were assembled here in Australia for distribution in our market, however once again I wasn't even a glint in my father eye when they were released so I don't know much about them either.
Dodge Custom Royal
The Custom Royal was the top of the line.
In its base configuration the Custom Royal was still a special car. It came standard with the Super Red Ram 350 cu inch V8 an engine which was the Father of the 413 Wedge and the Grandfather of the legendary big block Hemis. The 350 is a big block engine in size but a small block in cubes. The engine came out of the factory with 10 to 1 compression and a mighty 300 Brake Horse Power
(4 barrel version). From its fully machined crank to its raised single plane manifold this engine was made to rock. It came standard with a two barrel WW series Down Draft Carbie which was ok but it needed a bit more throat give it the poke, so it also came out with the 4 barrel version which complemented the engine greatly.
The Custom Royal also had great deal more chrome work and included the trickiest exhaust tips I have ever seen. They bolted to the rear bumper had had little louvres on them, if you have a set or know were a set is, get them and keep them as they are as rare an honest politician.
The Custom Royal also had the Knight's Head emblem on the front guards, steering wheel and the Hub Caps (also a rare item). Most vehicles came out of the factory as two tones, I have seen red and white, blue and white, black and white and dark green and light green. I have seen some single colour cars such as all black and bronze but you don't see them as often. In fact, the Custom Royal is a rare sight on the roads of Australia. I have been told that there were only 200 hundred factory RHD vehicles exported to Australia from America. They were mainly vehicles made up of various parts with small changes in chrome work and options.
The options on the Custom Royal were air conditioning , power steering, electric seats, power windows and most impressive a kerosene heater in the back seat (Canada only), they also had different engine options which could turn your Custom Royal from a cruiser to a screamer.
Webmaster note: the 1956 Custom Royal was the basis for the La Femme, which was painted lavender and white, and came with a matching umbrella, hat, and purse hook.
D500 (model)
The D500 model is profiled here.
D500 (engine)
The D500 option was one of two options for the engine. The D500 was commonly known as a 361 V8 with a 4 barrel carbie, a very similar engine to the 350. The Dodge workshop manual refers to this engine as a 360 but I sure it is very different to 360 we know from the 70s.
The D500 came with a Dual Contact distributor to complement the larger carbie, and was said to produce 300 horse power. I do know that the majority of 58 and 59 Facel Vegas, the French produced cars with the Dodge running gear were D500 optioned engines and boosted a top speed of 175 mph.
The most impressive and elusive option was twin 4 barrel setup of the D500, I had never seen or even heard of this option before I got the workshop manual. So if you have a Custom Royal with this option email me and let me know how much you want for it!
Webmaster note: according to the Standard Catalog of Chrysler, this version produced 310 hp and came with twin Carter WCFB four-barrel carbs.
