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'55 Custom Royal sedan
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koopster
Posted 2012-06-02 9:46 AM (#324037)
Subject: '55 Custom Royal sedan


Veteran

Posts: 170
1002525
Location: central Massachusetts
Recent addition. Was a factory (barn) find a few years back by owner before I. Pretty much virgin sheet metal, orginal interior minus headliner (mouse attack) and rug (from rubber mat) power windows, doors, brakes, steering, Powerflight. Was repainted back to it's Cameo/Sapphire two tone. Runs and drives well. Now just to get it to stop! lol  Anyone in Mass or coming through the area, let me know! Looking for other FLs.



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coronetx2
Posted 2012-06-02 9:57 AM (#324039 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan



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Posts: 197
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Location: Mid Michigan
Love the color combo Nice ride
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jim's56
Posted 2012-06-02 12:45 PM (#324053 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan


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Posts: 76
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Nice car can we see some interior pictures?
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d500neil
Posted 2012-06-02 12:51 PM (#324054 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000500050002000200010025
Location: bishop, ca
What's wrong with its brakes?

And OBTW....beautiful ride, there!

And OBTW (i) : regardless whether you've got a Poly or a Hemi engine in that car, you have an IAZ series dual-points distributor
in your car, which means that you can buy and install, asap, a Pertonix "Ignitor 1383" under-cap-electronic-ignition system.

Now, if you have the Poly 2-bbl V/8 engine, you've got the dissie IAZ 4003G, a REALLY nice guy, with 4 degrees (recommended) for
Initial Advancement (on the engine), plus the dissie's built-in 32 degrees of Mechanical Advancement = 36 degrees of total M.A.
(perfect), plus, the Vacuum Advance (if it still is operational) should be providing 8 more degrees of advancement = 44 total
degrees of timing advancement, during cruise mode.

If you have either the 2-bbl or the 4-bbl Hemi, you should have dissie IAZ 4003F, which provides (a conservative) 4 degrees of I.A.
plus 24 degrees of built-in M.A., plus the V.A.'s 14 = 42 total degrees of advancement.

You could dial-in 8/9 degrees of I.A., which would bump up the T.M.A. to 32/33 degrees + 14 V.A. = 46/47 degrees of total advancement.

That'll get your puppy off of the couch!

These specs, obviously, pertain to any 55 Dodge V/8 engine.

Before installing the Pertronix, however, you should (have someone) remove the dissie and check it for its overall condition
(shaft bushing gudenteit?) and whether the V.A. unit is still operational (suck on its orifice, to hear/feel if its diaphram is
moving).




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koopster
Posted 2012-06-02 4:41 PM (#324072 - in reply to #324053)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan


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Posts: 170
1002525
Location: central Massachusetts

I will see.  I am putting up a few of when it came out of the L-T slumber of 20 something years in a heated factory storage area. Note the areas showing a little surface rust as well as the yellowed and hardened plastic seat protectors which saved the seats. The origional rug matched the red of the paint and beading around the doors. The new rugs and mouse holed headliner (1 little hole) look better gray anyway.

 

 

Sorry guys. I am trying to compress the photos -they are showing compressed to 50K but they wont upload.:madman:



Edited by koopster 2012-06-02 4:59 PM




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d500neil
Posted 2012-06-02 5:17 PM (#324075 - in reply to #324072)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000500050002000200010025
Location: bishop, ca
That's the standard equipment 2-bbl Hemi "Super Red Ram" engine, there.

That 2-bbl will give you good MPG; the optional 4-bbl carb/intake are rare finds.

Meanwhile, you could install twice pipes on it, for a little more performance and economy, too, along with the tweaking of its
distributor.

NICE car....



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koopster
Posted 2012-06-02 5:38 PM (#324078 - in reply to #324075)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan


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Posts: 170
1002525
Location: central Massachusetts

Thanks. Yes, I have the Chrysler confirmation and build tag photocopy. I have put almost 600 miles on it averaging 16.7mpg. I put a few photos at the end of the beginning of the underneath of the doors and trunk to show the origional seams,weatherstrip, etc. At the end of the uploads are some photos of it after its long slumber. THe paint was not bad but faded. Someone piled cardboard on the car which left staining in the paint so it was resprayed.       What WAS nice is I obtained with the car some origional selling dealer photos and such as well as the 190 page '55 Dodge by the Numbers reference. Can't believe how much info is in the book on production issues, options, codes, factory notes, production changes, dealer costs for options, etc. If there  This car is listed in the book as having "stitched" armrests in lieu of molded as in some of the earlier production cars. build info is within the first month of production. 

    Yes, the air cleaner is not black, but hey, it is not a show car and it does look pretty sharp with the body paint on it!

Running wise, it runs very well. All guages, and autotune radio, work. Power  accessories work. It is a nice driver. I was lucky with this find, as with my last find ('39 Chrysler Royal which was still its origional owner's garage, up on blocks but that was another story!!) Other finds have been not so lucky.:wince:

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d500neil
Posted 2012-06-02 9:30 PM (#324096 - in reply to #324078)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000500050002000200010025
Location: bishop, ca
Jeff, from the factory's cover-letter to you, and/or from the IBM card, what coding do you have for your car's axle ratio?

Does your car have a P/T plate on it?

The P/T's were first installed on the Dodges around early May, 1955.

I REALLY like the color & stenciling of your air cleaner!

Oh...and brain-farted, above; you do have the twice pipes, already, on your car!

You should keep an eye-out for the OEM 4-bbl intake manifold (that's what our hobby is all about---treasure hunting)...it
will have P/N 15537723, and it was also used in 1956.

Almost any square-base WCFB, with an attached choke will work on that manifold, as a carb-restorer (like RecarbCo) can
dial-in whatever jetting/adjustments you prefer on a carb (and, there, also, is a company that re-pops the carbs' brass tags;
unfortunately, for anyone who has ever paid big-bux to score a rare OEM carb, with its OEM brass tag).

Here's what a correct OEM "Super Red Ram Power Package" engine looks like; note its typical hand-bent fuel line; any
"Pretty-Boy" fuel lines, on the FWDLK'ers, is a red-flag for a cloned engine.







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BarnFind57
Posted 2012-06-02 11:46 PM (#324118 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: RE: '55 Custom Royal sedan



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Posts: 957
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Location: Signal Mountain, TN
Wow... that is a SERIOUSLY Beautiful car....

Yet another 4-door tucked away, waiting on a proud new owner.

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koopster
Posted 2012-06-03 1:58 AM (#324132 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan


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Posts: 170
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Location: central Massachusetts
<p>Guys, the Chrysler Historical letter of 2008 shows no axle code but lists options and build, shipping info. Paint code=70, motor=D553-1550, SP:1=deluxe 2 tone, Trim=433=Black & White, Paint=70, Transmission=3-Powerflight, Heater=5-Custom Conditionaire, Radio=9-Electrotouch Tuner, Etc....... The IBM card lists "35" for the axle. . According to the big Petersen code book, "1955 Dodge by the Numbers" I am guessing there are 3.55s in the rear. I am attaching the paragraph out of Petersen's book that mentions this car. It is copyrighted and I give all credit to Mr. Petersen for the attached excerpt. (got to cover myself)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>No paint tag. Through reading I found you are right, after the time of 5/26/55 Trim Plates were installed. This car was 10/11/54.:( </p>

Edited by koopster 2012-06-03 2:20 AM




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d500neil
Posted 2012-06-03 2:54 PM (#324174 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
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Location: bishop, ca
Wow; Electro-touch, huh?

That's the signal-seeking radio, that retailed for $118.40, according to an actual dealer-invoice that I've got (for $3,481.86!)
on a 1955 fully-loaded Custom Royal 2-dr HT.

Does your radio have a separate power amplifier serving it?

Just as continued through 1957, Dodge offered the "Velvetone" (-manual adjustment), the "Music Master" (push-button) and
the "Electro-Touch" (sig-seeker) radios.

The 1955 Dodge axle ratios were:

3.70 : 3-speed stick V/8
3.90 : Ditto; 6-banger
4.10 : Overdrive/manual V/8
4.30 : Ditto; 6-banger
3.54 : PowerFlite 2-speed V/8
3.73 : Ditto; 6-banger

So, your code "35" would be consistent with the fifth ratio available: the 3.54 with the Powerflite.

There will be a third option coding for the axles; PM-sent.





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d500neil
Posted 2012-06-03 3:02 PM (#324175 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
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Location: bishop, ca
BTW, the 2-speed Powerflite trannie is essentially the same transmission as the 3-speed Torqueflite, but, with the absence
of that 1st gear.

So, the P/Flites got lower axle ratios and torque converters with about 200RPM higher stall speeds, to compensate for
the lack of a 1st gear.

Once underway, the two trannies operated basically identically.

So, the hot set-up, for the T/Flites, is to install a P/Flite TQ, for a faster get-away (especially for the Hemis, which didn't
accelerate from a dead stop very quickly).

The real hot set-up is to install an air-cooled P/Flite TQ (it has cooling fins on its case) on a liquid-cooled T/Flite (for extra cooling
effect).

A P/Flite trannie, in a light weight Dodge/Plymouth is fine; hell, the P/Flites work VERY well on the heavy CHRYS(/IMPS) in
vintage-era impromptu drag races!




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koopster
Posted 2012-06-04 6:47 AM (#324261 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan


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Posts: 170
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Location: central Massachusetts
The radio works very well. There are some tubes and a big transformer sticking just below/behind the dash that gives a good humm as it warms up. I assumme that is what you are talking of. We do not have a ton of AM stations but it does seek out some local stations and holds them very well. It is kind of cool to watch the bar go back and forth by itself to locate a station. As far as the axles go, I guessed 3.55 so 3.54 wasn't far off! LOL Interesting thoughts on the tranny swapping. I always figured the PF and TF cases would of been different and not bolted up interchangably.

Have not heard from BigM yet re brakes. Will call again this afternoon EST for the time change.

Re: Drag races. Unless we pull up to an airfield, all we have out here are winding country roads...no drags here!!!!!! I will post everyone on how I make out with the brakes issue when I hear from BigM.
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FIN ME
Posted 2012-06-04 11:33 AM (#324282 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan



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Very nice car, Jeff!

Thank you for all of those great photos!

There is a back of the front seat, U-shaped, chrome handle on Ebay now if you're interested in a spare.

BTW...that front floor mat looks so vintage! I remember those big, diamond shapes on some of my dad's old cars that I rode in as a kid.

Congrats!...great car!



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koopster
Posted 2012-06-04 12:49 PM (#324291 - in reply to #324282)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan


Veteran

Posts: 170
1002525
Location: central Massachusetts
Thanks, FinMe. even though the mat is a bit old and faded, it is cut perfect to fit around the pedals and the colors go, even though the rug and headliner are now grey insteead of that Strawberry color! Thanks for the update on the handle....I think if my wife knew I was buying spare seat grab handles she may think I am up to something that could cause the origionals to break! ;^)   
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56D500boy
Posted 2020-11-18 3:27 PM (#605747 - in reply to #324291)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan



Expert 5K+

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Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
Really old thread but I had just finished doing a decode on another 55 Dodge Custom Royal sedan when I found your card in this thread Jeff. Armed with knowledge doing that other card and the info in Mike Petersen's great "1955 Dodge - by the numbers" book, I couldn't resist doing your card. Here is the result. Hope you like it.

PS: For this one, I've only focussed on the columns that had punches.







Edited by 56D500boy 2020-11-18 9:51 PM




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56D500boy
Posted 2020-11-19 10:46 AM (#605786 - in reply to #605747)
Subject: Re: '55 Custom Royal sedan



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
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Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
I should have added that 357 = Custom Royal Accessory Group included:

301 = Dodge-Tint Glass (aka "Solex"),
412 = Windshield washer (Jiffy Jet),
441 = electric clock and
401 = Glareproof inside (rear view) mirror

Again thanks to Mike Petersen and his bood "1955 Dodge - by the numbers"



Jeff: Please check your PMs.
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frwl
Posted 2020-11-20 11:38 AM (#605822 - in reply to #324037)
Subject: RE: '55 Custom Royal sedan


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Good job Dave!
But where space the power seat decoded?




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56D500boy
Posted 2020-11-20 12:15 PM (#605828 - in reply to #605822)
Subject: RE: '55 Custom Royal sedan



Expert 5K+

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Location: Lower Mainland BC
frwl - 2020-11-20 8:38 AM
But where space the power seat decoded?


Good question. Column 34 is "Power Equipment" where:

341 = Power Steering
344 = Power Seat four way
345 = Power Brakes
346 = Power Seat four way and Power Brakes
347 = Power Steering and Power Seat four way and Power Brakes
348 = Power Steering and Power Brakes
349 = Power Steering and Power Seat four way

So either the 348 on the IBM card was mis-punched (should have been 347) *OR* the Power Seat was added after the car left the factory.

I don't know which.

The car has chrome fins on the rear fenders which factory-wise were only on the 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer 2 dr hardtops and the convertibles, yet here they are on this very nice 55 Custom Royal sedan.

So things do get added after the car leaves the factory (and over 60 odd years).

We may never know.





Edited by 56D500boy 2020-11-20 12:40 PM
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