1955 Dodge Coronet

Chrysler Corporation's post-war design philosophy - namely, that utility was more important than looks - started to fail once cars were widely available, and the company lured the extravagant Virgil Exner away from Studebaker to restyle the entire line. The first full result of this was the 1955 product line, though he had been able to tinker with the 1953-54 cars. Tex Colbert funded the changeover with a long-term loan for $250 million, which included money for process and plant upgrades. That may have brought about the advertised name - the "Hundred Million Dollar Look" (also called the "Forward Look"). Sales shot up immediately, and the company easily recouped its investments. Not all of the cars were direct Exner designs; Maury Baldwin was in charge of the 1955 Dodge. Still, he seemed to have followed Exner's lead, using spear-shaped side trim and split grilles. The body shape was common, because Chrysler shared more between brands than GM. Baldwin's 1955 Dodge was 212 inches long, on a 120-inch wheelbase; it grew by nearly seven inches over the prior year. -Thx To Allpar.com

For consignment, a “forward looking” design in the form of a believed 35,434 original mile Dodge Coronet from 1955. This sassy classy tri tone 2 door car has the attributes of details that just had never been seen before. Cars of the time were fashioned by engineers not designers and Baldwin changed that idea…quickly. With a futuristic slide handle transmission engagement, some snazzy Jacquard broadcloth usage for the interior seating, and a low sleek exterior with some small fins, let's move forward not unlike the design of this car and find out more.

Exterior
I'm donning my baseball hat with its embroidered “Flookerang”, (Chrysler's logo for the forward-thinking design, ahhhh the 50's), and having my first look at this 55 Coronet. A tasteful single visored headlight is on either side of the split grille and shiny bumper below which is quite possibly the original and frames the stylish grille just above. A single round turn signal light is in each lower corner of the grille, and just above, a silver chevron badge on the front of the hood and Dodge script to the left. Note that above the bumper are grille "bumpers" that wrap around the front quarters much like the actual bumper below. The front design of the car definitely has shades of the Studebaker of the era, and that's ok because it speaks class, and was also designed by Exner. Just above, a falcon hood ornament with swept back fighter jet styled wings leads the way atop the hood. The front and lowers of this car are bathed in what is believed to be the original application of Chiffon Green, meanwhile Satin Green Opal floods the upper body sections and cascades down the large trunk lid. A few touch ups can be seen in the Chiffon Green but overall, the paint shows well for being almost 70 years old. A few bubbles and speckles of surface rust are also noted but otherwise the car appears rust free. This 2-door hardtop has gaps that are well maintained throughout, and you can get a visual of this by looking at the trim spear that runs from the swept back hood trim to stern. Wrap around glass is seen with an extended rear lower roofline framing the top of the glass and Saratoga White is applied to the roof. Just a hint of a fin on the back which creates the cove for the simple round bezel tail lamps. Another large bumper that carries the fin line to the bumper where it stretches across the rear just below the trunk deck. More Saratoga White fills the area just above the bumper and encompasses the rear of the fins. Wide white walls wrap polished Dodge full size wheel covers on all 4 corners.

Interior
Stepping inside past the elegant door panels we are greeted with a green and white colorway which is within the hue range of the exterior. The door panels use white uppers in vinyl and black and white vinyl lowers, as some strips of chrome delineate these panels and make room for the green and black checked Jacquard cloth. Panning our eyes to the inside, a split front bench and solid back bench create the passenger seating. These are beautifully preserved with green with black broadcloth inserts on the seats and backs where they meet. This Jacquard has an interesting 3 dimensional pattern and is pristine. A white vinyl makes up the bolsters and is separated from the broadcloth by black piping. These fit into a deep black tub with chrome highlight trimming. To the dash where a gray steel flowing dash houses round instruments all within a white panel. Pedal styled levers are on drivers left and right to control temp and fan on the left and the transmission to drivers right. On top of a gray steering column is a two tone bakelite steering wheel using the black and gray along with a circular inset chromed horn ring. The bottom of the dash is curved under and has a chrome plate to add some interior bling to the field of gray. In the center are several round turn knobs for wipers lights and some interior lighting controls and the factory radio. In front of the passenger is a glovebox and in the center is a ribbed chrome speaker grille. Original deep green loop pile carpeting covers all the floors, and above a light green broadcloth headliner is lightly stained but remains tight. Much like the exterior, this interior presents as all original and corresponds with the shown odometer mileage.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is none other than a 270ci Red Ram V8. Atop is a single 2-barrel carburetor and strapped to the back is a Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission. The rear axle is of 3.54 designation. Just a fine coating of dust under here as it is about as original as they come.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust abounds on the untreated components down below, covering the frame and suspension components. The flooring, body hangers and rockers are solid and retain their factory applied undercoating. Single exhaust is noted and has surface rust on the piping. The muffler has rusted away from the tailpipe which also has perforated rust holes. Independent coil springs for the front suspension working with drum brakes, and on back leaf springs working with more drum brakes are noted.

Drive-Ability
This writer has a hot nut for these 50's cars that display interesting design and usage of various off the beaten path materials, and this car is a fine example of that. So, I hopped in and off to the test track where it had nice smooth acceleration, smooth shifting, and the brakes worked nicely, albeit they pulled to the left slightly. All functions were working well, and with just a slide of the lever this large and in charge car was floating down the road.

One family owned, (prior to our consignor), low mileage, just the way it left the showroom cruiser right from the beginning of the Forward Look era. Comes with the original bill of sale, original title and all the history of the car. All in very nice condition, ready to go and show. All in mid 50's style and grace. Start spreading the news! I wanna be a part of this!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.