In keeping with Chrysler’s ‘Forward Look’, the ’57 Dodge models were revamped giving them a longer wheelbase and even more pronounced and sweeping tailfins.
The Custom Royal was once again the top trim level for Dodge with the additional six vertical bumper bars being one of the biggest external clues this was a top-of-the-line car that was coming towards you.
This matching numbers beauty enjoys a desirable factory combination of Flame Red and Glacier White. This numbers matching car has also traveled just 25,000 miles during its lifetime.
With a promise of Autodynamics with racy lines and a hurricane of power the marketing material described the Custom Royal Lancer as a “Spitfire in action!”
Inside we see the two-tone “Magic Fabric” and Pellon-backed vinyl interior. This is the one it left the factory with all those years ago and it’s in fabulous condition.
The Custom Royal D-67-2 Series came with the 325 cubic inch Super Red Ram as standard. It was the slightly more powerful (260 horsepower rather than 245 hp of the standard 325 Red Ram). On this car it is paired with the Torque-Flite push-button automatic transmission – a $220 option.
Although Dodge didn’t keep production figures on a model by model basis, we do know that they produced around 47,860 of the Custom Royal series. This number would have been spread across the four models available.
Had you have ordered a Custom Royal 2-door Lancer hardtop during the 1957 model year, prices started at $2,290.
This 1957 Dodge Royal is currently for sale on eBay. (follow the link for lots more photos)