Dodge fall back its stuffy mental image once and for all with the daring " swept wing " styling of the 1957 Dodge Coronet Texan and other 1957 models . Dodge ’s 1957 machine were lower and fin were higher . The windshields wind well into the front threshold . There was so much glass that one wondered what supported the roof . Instead of a conventional grille , there were horizontal chrome strips and a vast bumper .
Classic Cars Image Gallery
The only place where Dodge roleplay it safe was with the headlights . Three res publica had n’t approved quad headlights for 1957 , so magnanimous parking lights were mounted inboard of the headlights to suggest the quad - headlight look , while remaining sound in every res publica . The double taillights at the rear presented no such regulative vexation .
While everyone was film with Chrysler styling director Virgil Exner ’s " Forward Look , " there was also a major technical innovation . crookedness - measure front pause would be a Chrysler Corporation stylemark long after vertical fin were gone . Chrysler claimed torsion bar gave a effective ride than conventional coil springs , yet the 1957s also plow better than any late Dodge and skilful than the rivalry .
To bring home the bacon the power were a six and five V-8s , ranging from 138 to 340 H.P. . The most powerful were the hemi - header D-500 V-8s . These were identified with a subtle " D-500 " badge on the trunklid .
Our Photo Feature railcar has the Super D-500 engine . With dual four - barrelful carbs and 325 cubic inches , it puts out 310 H.P. . This car is a rare Texan model . Available through Dodge bargainer in the Lone Star State , Texans were establish on the custom - trimmed Coronet sedan chair , hardtop sedan , hardtop coupe , and two - door club sedan . Nineteen fifty - seven was the 2d year for the Texan . In 1958 , a convertible was append .
The custom inside was a bit more sumptuous than that of meanspirited Coronets . A particular Texan badge was added to the glovebox doorway , tailfins , and trunklid – where , on this car , it put back the D-500 tag end .
