Vintage 1950s Cars

Vintage 1950s Cars

Dodge Coronet, 1956

          The Coronet was an automobile that was marketed by Dodge as a full-size car in the 1950s, initially the division's highest trim line but, starting in 1955, the lowest trim line. From the 1965 to 1975 model years the name was on intermediate-sized models. A coronet is a small crown consisting of ornaments fixed on a metal ring

          The 1955 Coronet dropped to the lower end of the Dodge vehicle lineup, with the Wayfarer and Meadowbrook names no longer used and the Custom Royal added above the Royal, Lancer, and La Femme. Bodies were restyled with help from newly hired Virgil Exner to be lower, wider, and longer than the lumpy prewar style, which in turn generated a healthy boost in sales over 1954.

          1956 was the last year of this body style before the change in 1957, the only differences offered in 1956 from the previous year were trim packages and the new Dodge D-500. suspension. Under the hood, the engine received larger valves, a full-race camshaft, and a double log intake manifold that used two four-barrel Carter WCFB carburetors and a shaved deck for 8.25:1 compression. This all added up to 285 bhp. It was the fastest car from the factory that year.

          1976 was the final model year for the Dodge Coronet, at least so far as the name Coronet was concerned. There were two body styles offered,  only two four-door models, the four-door wagon. and the four-door sedan. The former Dodge Coronet 2-door model was replaced by the Dodge Charger Sport 2-door model.