[FWDLK] More D500-1

["Tim Dupont" <DupontTim@xxxxxxx>]

Hello Forward Lookers,  I would like to share some interesting facts that I
have found out about the mysterious Dash One version of the D-500. The true
version of the Dash One model was introduced on Dec. 12, 1955 and consisted
of a chassis upgrade that utilized most of the front suspension off the
Imperial. This was a total upgrade from the D500. The Dash One called for
either a special HD 8 1/4 rear end or an optional HD 8 3/4 rear end (similar
to the type used in the 300b), both with a choice of various ratios. Extra
wide wheels with a 5 on 5 1/2in bolt pattern where utilized to accommodate
the Imperial brake drum, hub, and 12 x2 1/2in. shoes. This chassis was
equipped with these special Maximum Duty parts groups "for racing purposes"
and was designated as the D500-1 model. The engine however at this point had
not been upgraded from the D500 single four barrel Hemi, the so called "3/4
race engine" (Racer Brown Hot Rod May 56). This would allow the possibility
of a D500-1 car that was not a dual four barrel Hemi. In fact it would appear
that most D500-1 were equipped this way. They were probably almost
exclusively Coronet 2dr sedans or convertibles and initially sold strictly
for racing purposes. These first version were not equipped with the two fours
because at this point Dodge had only just began exploring the prospect of
twin four barrels at the request of Carl Kiekhaefer-the Mercury Outboard
mogul and the largest campaigner of Chrysler Corp. cars in NASCAR. He wanted
More Power!  However Dodge found the casting of the two four barrel manifold
very difficult (because of the heat provision or "exhaust crossover") and
probably produced only one usable prototype. This protoptype some believe was
used by Danny Eames to win the Standing Start Mile at Daytona Speed Weeks in
Feb. 56. Eventually Kiekhaefer's company Mercury Outboards was "hired" to
cast 100 aluminum manifolds (they were allowed to delete the heat provision).
In a Jan. 56 memo between Dodge engineers they disclose that Bill France of
NASCAR will not allow the use of the two four barrel set up at the Daytona
beach race unless all Dodges entered have the same equipment available by
pre-race inspection on Feb. 25th. The memo continues to say that Kiekhaefer
promises 20 manifolds by the deadline. This will cover 16 known Dodge
probable entries (a list of which was attached) and four extra setups in case
of any last minute entries. This may partially explain the often made
statement that the two four barrel set ups came "in the trunk." The first
factory dyno test of the D500-1 "full race" engine was not made until March
6, 1956, and therefore it seems logical that a factory built two four setup
was not available until sometime in March. One Dodge memo calls this the
"D501" engine package (this may be a typo or the beginning of the designation
for the 57 "factory racer" Dodge D501) again listed as a group of parts
available for the Dash One model, which included the Aluminum intake manifold
and carbs, low restriction exhaust with extra large manifolds (2 1/2in) and
choices of racing cam grinds. Another very interesting option soon  became
available, 40 Ply/Dodge gear cluster and second gear, this allowed the
optimal gear spacing in the three speed manual transmission-first, 2.55 to 1
second, 1.65 to 1 and third, 1 to 1, all other years of this transmission
have a 1.86 to 1 second gear, these optional gears were not installed but
shipped, would you believe" in the trunk"( and that's according to the parts
list!). There are even more strange items such as the export/taxi manual
transmission that are listed as options. Its obvious that Dodge engineers
were leaving no stones unturned and with there success on the track parts
continued to be upgraded thru April (According to NASCAR after reporting a
new part to the AMA you had to wait 45 days before it could be used in a
race). The resulting car is pure Super Stock. I'm looking at an article from
Aug 56, showing Ed Lyons as the overall Stock Class winner in the World
Series of Drag Racing in his D500-1 with a 102 mph pass and I am told by a
person who was actually there he had a 105 mph pass earlier in the meet
(these were records),nearly 10 mph faster than anyone else regardless of
(stock)class.  As a matter of fact Ed's Dash One went unbeaten in all of 1956
(WOW!). I have a resent article that proclaims the 57 Chevy was a Red Hot
Super Stock that approached 100 mph in the 1/4 mile. Well, I guess the Dodge
may not have been as popular as other makes but it sure had 'em all covered.
In May of 1956 Dodge built a specially ordered coupe for a lucky someone to
drive as a personal car, it was their most potent factory hot rod to date, a
full tilt D500-1, and now about 43 years later I'm the lucky someone who gets
to drive it. Thanks Tim