The 1950s was an era defined by optimism, space-age concepts, and daring automotive design. The 1957 Dodge Royal Lancer 2-Door Hardtop perfectly captures this spirit with its dramatic styling and advanced engineering. This model was a key part of Chrysler’s renowned “Forward Look” design language, emphasizing long lines and low profiles. This particular example, finished in a striking two-tone red and white, exemplifies the bold choices made by American manufacturers at the time. It is a genuine piece of mid-century motoring history, combining flair with surprisingly modern convenience features.
The Forward Look Design Language
The 1957 model year was transformational for Dodge, introducing the influential “Forward Look” styling created by Virgil Exner. This design gave the 1957 Dodge Royal Lancer its distinct, low-slung, and aggressive road presence. The dramatic wrap-around windshield contributes significantly to the car’s sleek and open cabin feel. The exterior features are accented by bright chrome bumpers and dual fender-mounted side mirrors. The two-tone paint scheme of red and white highlights the expansive panels and floating roofline of the hardtop body style. This appearance helped define the exuberant style of the American highway in the late 1950s.
Interior Appointments and Features
The cabin of the 1957 Dodge Royal Lancer is equally expressive in its design and colour palette. It features two rows of spacious bench seats, upholstered in red with patterned fabric inserts. This bold combination is characteristic of high-end trim levels from the era. The dashboard, finished in black and white, holds a horizontal 120-mph speedometer. Auxiliary gauges sit alongside it, providing essential vehicle information to the driver. Comfort features fitted to this specific car include a push-button AM radio and an effective heater system. The overall interior environment is both comfortable and wonderfully evocative of its production year.
Innovative Push-Button Gear Selection
Perhaps the most distinctive technological feature of this 1957 Dodge Royal Lancer is its transmission. Power is expertly managed by a push-button three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This innovative system eliminated the traditional shifter lever. Instead, gear selection was made via a cluster of buttons located on the dashboard or instrument panel. The TorqueFlite transmission was highly regarded for its smoothness and reliability. It offered drivers a truly unique and modern interface with the vehicle. This feature became a signature element of Chrysler Corporation vehicles during this period of design experimentation.
Wheels, Tires, and Stopping Power
The Royal Lancer is equipped with 14-inch steel wheels. These wheels wear bright covers that contribute to the car’s premium visual appeal. They are fitted with classic Remington whitewall tires in size C78-14. This choice of tire perfectly complements the car’s extensive chrome and two-tone paintwork. Bringing the large coupe to a stop is handled by a robust system of drum brakes at all four corners. This was the standard stopping technology of the period. The combination provides confident and predictable braking for a vehicle of this size and vintage.
The Heart of the Cruiser: Red Ram V8 Power
Driving the 1957 Dodge Royal Lancer is the robust 325 cubic-inch Red Ram V8 engine. This engine was a significant power plant in Chrysler’s mid-range lineup during the mid-1950s. Factory equipped with a two-barrel Stromberg carburetor, the V8 was originally rated at 245 horsepower. It also produced a substantial 320 lb-ft of torque when new. This power is smoothly routed to the rear wheels via the aforementioned push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The Red Ram V8 provides the effortless performance expected of a full-size American hardtop from the V8 era. An oil change was recently performed, ensuring the car is ready for road use.
A Unique and Powerful Mid-Century Classic
The 1957 Dodge Royal Lancer Hardtop remains a powerful statement piece from an adventurous chapter in American automotive history. It combines Virgil Exner’s unforgettable “Forward Look” styling with mechanical innovation like the push-button TorqueFlite transmission. Furthermore, the car features the reliable performance of the 325ci Red Ram V8 engine. This striking example in red and white showcases its historical significance and unique features. It is a genuine classic offering a great opportunity to acquire a distinctive piece of mid-century motoring culture.
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Source: bringatrailer.com
