Wanted: Info on 55 dodges...

I am doing an old resto project on a 55 dodge i got my hands on....I found some not so common parts on the 2 cars i have, and im looking for more info on them...

Both cars have the poly hemi, 270 i think, but both have 4 barrell carbs, 4 bbl intakes, and dual exhaust. I heard this is supposed to be some rare kind of "power package" that was offered by dodge. The engines are both super red rams...I would like to know if anyone has any info on the 'power package'

Also, one of the cars has a 4 way electric seat, and a stock air conditioning setup....with the compressor pump ofcourse on the engine, but the condenser, and some other related parts still plumbed in and behind the rear seat in the trunk..

From what all i have found the seat and air conditioning are stock. The electric seat and A/C setup im not going to use, and chances are im going to get rid of both the poly's and the transmissions too, but they kind of intrigued me, and id like more info on them before i make my mind up..

Thanks...

 

what models do you have? is one a parts car? I have a 55 coronet royal... I I just got it so i haven't found a heck of a lot on them yet.

this is what i have found....
Specs for the 56..
http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/530.cfm

some original sales brocheres
http://www.tocmp.com/brochures/Dodge/1955/index.htm

a msn group for coronets...
http://groups.msn.com/DodgeCoronetRegistry/pre66coronet.msnw


So far the HAMB has been the best source of info.
I'm subscribing to this thread because i want to know more too.

 

They are both 55 dodge custom royal lancer 2 door hardtops. The one i am building was the worst of the 2 cars...

The parts car was a pretty nice driver before it met something head on. One is a parts car, but front clip is trashed on it

I have found out so far that the late 55 custom royal lancer had the chrome fins, the early customs didnt, and nothing else had them except for that car. 1956's had the steel fins moulded into the body...

I know the cars weighed around 3445 lbs dry from the line..

look for a website called allpar , they had some decent info there.

http://www.allpar.com/history/chrysler-years/1955.html

 

The 56 wagons also had the chrome fins. Most of the 270's were 2 barrell, so I presume you do have the "power package" I had a 56 Dodge 2bbl and it was a strong engine. It ran the *** off of the 55 and 56 chevys in its day.

 

do you happen have this little trim piece? its the only one I'm missing on mine...

 

So far as I recall the polyhead 4 barrels are fairly uncommon.
Regarding the AC, does it have the air intake scoops on top of the quarters by the c-pillar? If not then where? I have parted a 56 with the trunk mounted air but the air intake was inside through the package shelf.

Custom Royal Lancers are the top of the line. I am envious of your good fortune.

BTW I still have many parts from that car if you are interested.

 

1 of the cars has the air intake scoops on top of the rear quarters behind the windshield...I still havent opened the trunk on that one because i do not want to damage the lock on the back, and im trying to find my lock pic...Peeking thru the package shelf i can see the ac unti though..so im hoping it is all there.

 

well I'll add a few page's from my old dealer's book...

 

Nice, i like that owners manual...the 2 customs i have , have basically every option listed, even have the park brake indicator light next to the brake handle...and thats awesome seeing that there actually was a special power package...i just cant believe both the cars had the package..hahaha

I love the auto transmission selectors ont he dash...

I bet you know, but next to the furthest right gauges on the dash there is what looks like a hole that is filled (above the radio), where a gauge was supposed to go, it pulls out by the knob in the middle and is the ashtray!

 

The scoops mean it's from the factory and in 55 that is pretty rare. Allpar has an article with factory illustrations about 1955 AC. Also read Curtis Redgap's article there as well.
You have a nicely equipped car. You might also have the larger brakes and sway bar.
I am now somewhat more than envious. I am feeling a bit covetous. I must confer with my priest/clergyman/rabbi/guru/hairy thunderer/drug dealer for absolution and/or forgiveness.(pick one)

If you haven't already found it try the "Forward Look" website, Forwardlook.com. Mucho informacion there regarding 1955-1961 Mopars. Plus they are all completely and utterly nuts.

Please post up photos.

 

i know for sure one of them does have a front sway bar...and all 4 brake drums take up all the room inside the 14" wheels... I will get photos tomorrow... im planning on taking a few hours to list and take pis of the parts i wont need...so ill get some of what im keeping also...

im going to look at the fowardlook website right now....i thinki also need to confer with my priest/clergyman/rabbi/guru/hairy thunderer/drug dealer for absolution and/or forgiveness.(pick one) because now im regretting some of the permanent changes ive made to one of the cars

 

These were awesome and much overlooked cars... Beautiful styling and lotsa beans.. Here's my 56 from back in the day (way way back)

 

The 1 single thing that got me hooked on the car when i first saw it (3 years ago) was the way the hardtop rear windows "rolled" down, they dont really roll down, they just kinda pivot backwards until they disappear!....

in about 3 days ill have a roll of film developed (yes, not digital) and scan the pics on the computer and show the work ive done since last thursday on it... Within 2 months if all goes as planned ill have an 11 second cruiser to drive around denver....

 

BTW, they came with 15" wheels when new. The ash trays are cool, huh?

 

interesting....15" wheels..the one im working on im guessing someone wanted to sit lower....it had the 14" wheels, lowering blocks in the back, and im sure it went down a dragstrip once or twice..had tow back bars attached to the front clip under the front bumper...

This week im going to be putting alot of these parts in the for sale section, so if anyone needs parts send me a pm so i dont have to go thru listing them..hahaha

I have a feeling im gonna like this old dodge alot more than i liked my old ford...

 

I'm going to kibitz here, but I think the Super Red Ram was a hemi, and the Red Ram was the poly in 55. It doesn't spell that out in the dealer manual there though.

The 270 4BBl manifolds are gold on eBay. I bought mine 4 years ago, and the price has gone through the roof (abt $400 now). I think someone needs to make a mold

 

I've thought the same thing. I've got a 315 poly and the 4 barrel manifolds are also tough to find.

 

Hemis are hemis, hemispherical combustion chambers, plugs in the middle of the valve covers.

Polys are polys, polyspherical cusbustion chambers, plugs in teh sides of the heads, i.e. standard configuration engines.

 

We know that. Was the hemi the only super red ram, or was the poly called that as well?

 

Yes! My 56 and 57 315 Polys are both Super Red Ram engines.
You might think that Hemi=Super.
But you would be wrong.

 

Heres a few pics of the dodge i am messing with.

Ill have a bunch of the parts custom royal lancer, and the parts 4 door wagon somewhere later, and ill throw a link up.

 

Ohh, and popped the trunk on the 2nd custom royal lancer, and the AC unit is gone. Damnit.

 

I'll take one of the 4 bbl manioflds off your hands if you need room in the shop ! ...seriously.

Derek
wish I was supercharged

 

Here is a shot of mine.

 

PLEZ HELP ME GET MY GRAND-FATHER'S CAR RUNNING.

Does Anyone Khow The Corect Gap To Set The Dual Points On The 1955
270 Poly Red Ram?

I'VE HEARD THE POLY WAS MORE RELIABLE THAN THE HEMI'S.

TY.
DARBY

 

Forward look site is www.forwardlook.net

 

I'm the webmaster over at http://www.geocities.com/polyman64 !

Nice poly - keep it!!!

You may have seen me on the 318 Poly Yahoo Group http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/318poly/

or the Poly Forum
http://www.diamondbackengines.com/fo...board,6.0.html

~Jason