Dogde 1955 Custom Royal Lancer.

[DutchEdwin]

Last week we found a 1955 dodge custom royal lancer for sale.

Now I only have seen pictures but looks realy nice. I went over the internet but couln't find what standard and the extra were at these cars. 

We like to have the full package, but manual gear with OD.

 

If someone knows of a simular car for sale in the US we would like to hear about it, as they are probably cheaper in the US then in Europe.

 

[GlennCraven]

That's a sweet-looking sedan!

 

Hemmings Motor News online has a two-door in a similar color combination (and maybe condition) listed for sale in Redwood, California. The car has 93,000 miles, is advertised as a life-long southern California car, and has a Hemi with power steering, power brakes and Wonderbar radio. It is an automatic, however, not a manual transmission. The asking price is $17,500.

 

 

 

There are also examples, both two- and four-door, listed at OldRide.com, ClassicCars.com and AutotraderClassics.com. Some are repeats. Some have 350 Chevy swaps, which I wouldn't want. I also think it might be hard to find a stick-shift in an original Royal Lancer.

 

This two-door with original engine is $11,550 in Arizona, on OldRide.com. While I like the yellow and white, the green and white interior to go with it puzzles me. Anyone know if that was really the likely original color combo?

 

 

 

I do like this pink and black two-door in Bloomington, Illinois, from AutotraderClassics.com, but it's another automatic car. And, the asking price of $25,000 is considerably above that of the pretty nice-looking pink and white car in California.

 

[Young Ed]

I believe something is fishy with your Europe version as a Lancer is a hardtop. That car is a 4dr sedan so it can be a custom royal but not a lancer.

 

Edit: I looked in my book of 50s cars and it looks like a Lancer sedan was available. Anyone know what the actual model lineup was for 55?

 

Glenn yes lots of yellow cars came with green interior. Not my ideal choise either but they did it. A guy in the neighborhood has a really nice 58 chevy thats yellow and white with green interior.

 

I owned this 55 custom royal lancer a few years ago. The rockers were gone and the one 1/4 was bashed in. Hemi with power steering and auto.

 

Edited September 14, 2013 by Young Ed

[greg g]

The royals and Lancers are going to be up optioned cars, most likely with automatics, a power flite with the dashboard mounted selector lever.

 

Lancer was 2 dr hardtop or convertible only I believe.

[DutchEdwin]

_{Ed Young, Thank you. I''l try to sort this out, is it a real lancer.}

_{Does anyone know what the options on the lancer were?}

[greg g]

The most sought after option these days would be the Lancer only Wheel covers.  Nearly as popular i the custom crowd as Olds Siesta, and the Caddy Sombreros.

 

 

Edited September 15, 2013 by greg g

[DutchEdwin]

Greg, Thank you. I see what you mean. That's what I'm looking for. But now I'm puzzled, I found the brochure of the 1955 dodge

http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/brochures/Dodge/1955/pages/1955%20Dodge-01_jpg.htm,

and also an ad

http://www.lhmopars.com/MOPAR_Ads/1955_dodge_custom_royal_lancer_ad1.html

Both showing two types of wheel covers.

Could it be that dodge changed the looks of the car during the year 1955?

My car (1955 plymouth plaza suburban) does not exist on the brochure as it has the only seen on the belvedere sport coupe or convertible coupe two tone.

[B-Watson]

The Custom Royal Lancer 4-door sedan was introduced in April,. 1955.  The difference was the exterior trim with the 'normal' 4-door sedan having a trim strip from the headlamp to the rear fender.  The Custom Royal nameplates were placed after the end of the side trim, and a V8 symbol on the front fenders.

 

The Lancer 4-door sedan adopted the "Flair Fashion" side trim of the Lancer hardtops and convertibles.  As well, the "Custom Royal" was moved to the front fenders just behind the small trim bar from the headlamp rims as on the Lancer hardtop, while the V8 was just below the trim dip on the rear doors.  And with that, the Lancer 4-door sedan could be ordered in three-tone colour combinations.

 

The base wheel cover, as used on the Coronet and Royal, was optional on all Dodges, including the Lancer models.   The spinner variety was available only on the Lancer models and the Custom Sierra.  The Custom Sierra was also a mid-year introduction that used the Fashion Flair side trim.

 

Needless to say, the Lancer 4-door sedan cost more - $2,516 versus $2,473 for the non-Lancer version, an increase of $43.  Weight also increased by 20 pounds to 3,505.  Production figures are unknown as they were included with the 'normal' 4-door sedan.

 

The Lancer 4-door sedan was replaced by a for real Lancer 4-door in 1956 - a 4-door hardtop.

Edited September 15, 2013 by B-Watson

[DutchEdwin]

Bill, Thanks for the update.

Can you tell where I can find detailed information like this. I still cannot find any information on the options you did get with a cucton royal lancer and the options you had to pay for extra.

[B-Watson]

The Custom Royal sedan had  the "Custom" badge right from the beginning give more visual difference from the Royal sedan.  The small chrome fins on the sedans did not appear until later in the model year.  Same with the "Custom" badge on the hardtops and convertibles.  The Custom Royals also had slots on the sides of the taillight and backup light housings as well as hooded headlamp rims.  The rear light housings on the Royals and Coronets were solid and had plain headlamp rims.    

  

All Custom Royal models had turn signals, back up lights and variable speed windshield wipers as standard, items optional on Coronet and Royal models. 

 

The list of options (at extra cost) for the Custom Royal included -

 

Power steering

Power brakes

Power front seat

Power windows

Power pack - four barrel carb with dual exhaust

Powerflite automatic transmission

Overdrive

Wheel covers

Spinner wheel covers (Lancer models only)

Foot-operated windshield washer

Deluxe plastic (2-tone) steering wheel

Heater with defroster

Air conditioning

Parking brake light

Underhood light

Map light

Glove box light

Tinted windshield

Electric clock

Rear window defroster

Day / night rear view mirror

Radio - 6 tube (manual tuning)

Radio - 8 tube (pushbutton)

Radio - 9 tube (signal seeking)

Bumper guards

Spotlight / Mirror - left and / or right

2-tone paint

3-tone paint (Lancer models only)

White wall tires

Edited September 16, 2013 by B-Watson

[austinsailor]

There is a 2 door hardtop being re- furbished (I wouldn't go so far as saying restored, although it looks nice) near me. Hemi, powerflite, not sure what else. He's a dealer in old cars, his asking price is going to be $20,000.

Motor is off for rebuild now, front clip is off. Things that should be re- chromed are not. Paint and metalwork look good. Not Mecum good, but better than a driver.

Edited September 16, 2013 by austinsailor

[Young Ed]

Bill was the 4dr sedan lancer continued into 56 or dropped again for the 4dr hardtop?

[DutchEdwin]

There is a 2 door hardtop being re- furbished (I wouldn't go so far as saying restored, although it looks nice) near me. Hemi, powerflite, not sure what else. He's a dealer in old cars, his asking price is going to be $20,000.

Motor is off for rebuild now, front clip is off. Things that should be re- chromed are not. Paint and metalwork look good. Not Mecum good, but better than a driver.

Does he have a website where I can look?

[DutchEdwin]

Bill, Thanks for the list. What source do you use? I would like to have it to.

[DutchEdwin]

We went to see the Dodge Lancer today and took the Plymouth for a nice ride.

The car looks great. Manual 3 speed with OD and super red ram Hemi with 2 blll carb, power steering. It's not perfect although. It has been repainted I guess 20 years ago. Some damage and local repairs to it. Has new door rubbers. The windshield front and rear however were not removed for this paint job.

The trunk did have some rust on the inside. The trim at the bottom of the right front door did not align with the front fender (picture 3). The interior looks good, all original.

The history on the engine is unknown. Has 73000 miles on the meter, but the speedo cable was not attached  .

The wiring had a surprise that puzzled me. All parts inside were 12V, except the battery and probably coil. They were 12V. The generator was not attached to the battery. What I do not know is if the 12V did harm to the 6V relays in the car (starter relay, overdrive relay, radio -> wires were not attached etc).

I'm now thinking over if we will consider this car or if it is hands off.

The vin nr is 3490 5920. Engine D553-35850, listed as Super Red Ram 270 series engine. Can anyone see if this is the factory engine that came with the car?

 

I did phone for the Redwood car. Unfortunately already sold.

 

 

[Young Ed]

A 270CI hemi would be correct for 55. I don't have any resources to match that particular # to the car. You'd probably have to get the build card from Chrysler to do that. I suspect that engine has had some work. Its pretty hard to tell in this picture but my 55 had smooth valve covers with a sticker that said super red ram rather than your stamped ones. Also I believe underneath all the nastiness the engine and valve covers were silver not blue.

 

[austinsailor]

Does he have a website where I can look?

No website, he's probably late 70's and doesn't use computers.

He's right on Interstate 70 at Sweet Springs, Missouri. Lance Auto Investment. 660-335-2255.

Pretty interesting guy to talk to in person. Once he figures out your an old car guy he's got lots of time to talk and will pull out the pictures of his car lots from years past. Probably since the 60's. always dealt in old cars, hot rods and desirable ones. You'd drool over his stock no matter what picture you pulled out.

He had a '48 Windser 4 door that I'd planned to post here, but I didn't see it last time I passed. He'd sold the car several times over the years, the guy he sold it to last time passed away, the widow wanted him to sell it for her. He told me she wanted way too much. $2250 for a running, driving stopping straight steering car with little rust and a recently rebuilt motor. He was kind of surprised that I thought the price wasn't bad. It may be gone to it's new home. If anyone has an interest I can forward pictures and you can call and see if he still has it. I was pretty tempted.

Edited September 19, 2013 by austinsailor

[DutchEdwin]

About the 12 volt system in this car, does anyone know it it did any harm to the 6V relay of the OD, starter motor relay, fan motor etc. in the car? 

Looking at the state it is in, what would the value be in the US of this car? The price he is asking is €25000,- which I will not pay.

 

I'll give lance auto a call tomorrow. See what car he has. Sounds like a nice guy of my. Love to do business with people like this.

[greg g]

6V electrical items are usually made much stouter than 12 V stuff.  This was one of the reasons for the switch to 12 V.  Since 12 V halves the amperage load carried by the circuits, wiring, relays, switches could be made of thinner, lighter and most importantly cheaper than comparable 6V items.  So it is unlikely that 12 V applied to switches, starters, relays, solenoids, etc did any harm.  Light bulbs may have suffered, 

 

In my opinion in the US market, that would need to be a 95 point car or better to command that much money.  I don;t know about the market forces in your area, but the market still seems to be down here, except for the over restored stuff at the big auctions, which attract people with more money than brains.

 

Here is a hemi Coronet with a buy it now of 9900 US (7300EU?).  Probably won't get it.  So are the options worth another 15 K on the car you are looking at?  If it had the D 500 (high performance) option package, it might approach 20 K but not as it sits.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Coronet-Base-/321212493105?hash=item4ac9c1ad31&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1182

Edited September 21, 2013 by greg g

[Plymouthy Adams]

six volt items were made to handle X current based solely on the preset ohm value of the winding.  This very resistance with applied 12 volts causes for a dramatic increase on current drain..(ohms law)..thus long term application of voltage I would not recommend...the voltage changes but the resistance does not.  Knowing the resistance and voltage one gets the wattage (volts x current)  so one needs to select the proper rated resistor for ohms and wattage inline ahead of the solenoid and drop the voltage in half (this requires a very accurate meter to get the ohm value or better yet, check current draw with 6.8-7.2 volts applied) and thus the device sees only the current it is normally rated for...the resistor needs to be of ample wattage to displace the heat without causing internal failure of the resistor..

 

so just for exercise this example......

 

7.2 v / 5 ohms solenoid winding (nominal output of generator)  1.44 amps 

14.2 v / 5 ohms solenoid winding (nominal of alt) 14.2 amps...2.84 amp

 

(voltage x current = wattage) so to select a resistor for above example one will need 5 ohms and hopefully anything above 11 watts  remember..you are looking to operate the device at the given original voltage...thus we select the original values to add inline to consume and dissipate the heat ahead of the device..the higher the wattage rating, the hotter the resistor will get..be sure you have adequate place to hang and allow for the heat to be dissipated...

[GlennCraven]

I didn't completely understand that, Tim, but something tells me I should re-read it until I do.

[austinsailor]

Here's one for sale in Tucson, $2000

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4068356813.html

And a plain 55 hemi at $9000

http://annapolis.craigslist.org/cto/3975602537.html

Lots of them out there it seems.

Edited September 22, 2013 by austinsailor

[DutchEdwin]

I figured out the same math on ohms law. This car is too much messed around with. Repairable but if the previous owner did this to the car, what else did he do. Talked to the dealer. He didn't move that much on the price. Even when I told him all that was done wrong to it. Perhaps he's waiting for someone who doesn't see what's wrong and stays 5 feet from the car and just loves it. Got to know when to walk away. Even when it is the one you've been looking for. 

 

Looked for Greg's advise, start looking in the US. I'm realy supprised how the prises differ. A '55 dodge is about 30% to 40%  cheaper at your place. Makes it worth while to buy there. Only checking it out means a flight ticket of €700,= and a hotel stay for 1 week holiday. Discovered, you Americans did'nt like a shifter in '55 on lancers. All I've seen for sale is automatic's. and I just like the shifter at the steeringwheel with an OD. Just have to keep looking.

My wife.....she likes the white-pink-black 3 tone. Well, if she's supporting the hobby she may pick the coulor.

[GlennCraven]

I also think the pink, white and black looks fantastic together!

 

Correct, it will be hard to find a Royal Lancer with a standard shift. Americans do like their automatics.

 

As for the cost of coming over to inspect a vehicle you might want to buy, there are several individuals and services in the United States that will perform an independent inspection for a fee. In fact, depending on where you find an interesting vehicle, a number of the members of this forum might be very willing to inspect it on your behalf, and send you their honest opinion and probably additional pictures if required.

 

Good luck in the search!

Edited September 25, 2013 by GlennCraven

[DutchEdwin]

Last week I had a rental car with automatic gearbox. Almost had my nose through the windshield when I accidently stepped on the breaks when I tried to shift into higher gear.  We'll keep looking. That car is out there some were. Thanks Glenn, and everyone contributing on this topic.