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 1956 Dodge D500 Dealer and Public Press Releases (and follow-ups)Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9899      Location: Lower Mainland BC | . I am going to start with the Dec. 22, 1955 memo from the Dodge Division to its dealer network regarding the new D500 program. Then the Dec. 30, 1955 Press Release info. The latter shows that not even Dodge had settled on what they wanted to call the new D500 engine (there is mention of "Super Red Ram" which just makes me cringe that they didn't know that they had already used that name?) I don't think that they ever called it that again but I can see now where the confusion about the name might have started: poorly informed PR copy writers.  Anyway, here goes (there will be more info posted in the future - today or tomorrow): Edited by 56D500boy 2021-03-15 11:11 PM (Dec22_55LetterToDodgeDealersReD500_1.jpg) (Dec22_55LetterToDodgeDealersReD500_2.jpg) (Dec22D500PricingBulletin_J10_1.jpg) (D500PressReleaseInfo_Dec30_1955_Pg.1.jpg) (D500PressReleaseInfo_Dec30_1955_Pg.2.jpg) (56DDodge 500_PressReleasePhoto_2.jpg) (56DDodge 500_PressReleasePhoto_1.jpg) Attachments ----------------  Dec22_55LetterToDodgeDealersReD500_1.jpg (211KB - 147 downloads) Dec22_55LetterToDodgeDealersReD500_2.jpg (125KB - 151 downloads) Dec22D500PricingBulletin_J10_1.jpg (97KB - 139 downloads) D500PressReleaseInfo_Dec30_1955_Pg.1.jpg (106KB - 140 downloads) D500PressReleaseInfo_Dec30_1955_Pg.2.jpg (70KB - 137 downloads) 56DDodge 500_PressReleasePhoto_2.jpg (226KB - 143 downloads) 56DDodge 500_PressReleasePhoto_1.jpg (168KB - 142 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9899 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . While the dealership and public press releases might have caused a stir, I have to guess that those "in the know" like Lee Petty and Carl Kiekhaefer knew all about the Dodge D500s well before the official announcements. I am staring at a copy of a Dec. 13, 1955 memo (that I promised not to share an image of in return for receiving a copy), from E.F. Shaw of Dodge Main management to Dodge Main Engineering, to have them build and give away (as a customer drive away) a 1956 Dodge 812 (2 dr Coronet Club coupe) in paint 172 (Sapphire White and Oriental Coral) to be equipped with Solex (glass), Heater, D-500 Engine and D-500-1 Chassis. (Which I believe is the "Maximum Duty" race chassis with the Imperial hubs, drums and wheels plus much beefier springs (7, 8 or 9??) rear leafs, etc. The car was to be delivered by Dec. 20, 1955. The "Remarks" section states that "Management has authorized the release of this unit to Lee Petty (of R.R. #1, Randleman, NC) for use in the coming 1956 N.A.S.C.A.R. season. Anticipating valuable advertising and engineering developing" While Lee Petty (and maybe Kiekhaefer's team) got a head start on the use of the D500 in the coming race season, from what I have learned about Bill France and NASCAR, manufacturers had to make parts available to the "public" if the cars were to be run in these races because the race cars were "stock" cars that "anyone" could buy (well at least in theory). As a result (I guess), was a memo issued on January 12th, detailing the parts involved in such a race car. That memo must have had some errors (or needed corrections/parts changes) because the next day, on January 13th, there was a second parts listing to correct/change update the first one. Not only that, there were two versions of this January 13th correction memo (6958 and 6959). Perhaps somebody had a three martini lunch??  The only change that caught my eye was the change for the tandem 4 bbl carbs from two 1636 649s (which, singly, was the 230 hp 315 poly Power Pack carb) to the 1731 639 and 1731 476 Desoto Adventurer front and rear carbs. What is very curious is, while they list the 2 x 4 bbl manifold number, I know there were issues with the cast iron manifolds (casting porosity I've heard) because there was a frantic scramble to get aluminum 2 x 4 bbl manifolds from Kiekhaefer's Mercury Marine in time for the February Daytona beach speed trials (and maybe the race). (I will post about this later). Here are the Jan. 12th and 13th memos with the carb part number listings for comparison. Edited by 56D500boy 2021-03-17 1:31 AM (January12_56D500PricingBulletin_SupplementToBullentinJ10.jpg) (Jan13_56CorrectionVersion6958.jpg) (Jan13_56_CorrectionsToTheJan12BulletinJ10.jpg) (EarlyAndLateD500-1_2x4bblCarbPNs.jpg) Attachments ---------------- January12_56D500PricingBulletin_SupplementToBullentinJ10.jpg (92KB - 144 downloads) Jan13_56CorrectionVersion6958.jpg (84KB - 141 downloads) Jan13_56_CorrectionsToTheJan12BulletinJ10.jpg (93KB - 151 downloads) EarlyAndLateD500-1_2x4bblCarbPNs.jpg (150KB - 141 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9899 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . I think I have it figured why there might have been a bit of confusion/scrambling with the January 12th and 13th, 1956 memos regarding parts for the D500-1 cars (that were going to be racing at Daytona Beach in later February 1956). Apparently on January 9th, 1956 someone (or a group) had a discussion with Bill France (Mr. Daytona/NASCAR) who suggested that Dodge would *not* be able to run their new D500s with 2 x 4 bbl intake on only a few cars - that set-up would have to be available to any and all Dodges who wanted to run it (in the Races/Speed Trials). As a result, between January 9th and 12th, Dodge had to scramble and get a parts list available for dealers in case somebody wanted to buy the race car parts. By February 2nd, they must have concluded that they (Dodge) were not going to be able to fix their cast iron intake manifold casting problems quick enough and had contracted Carl Kiekhaefer's company (Mercury Marine) to produce aluminum 2 x 4 bbl intake manifolds (which despite the material changes from cast iron to aluminum retained the same PN as had been designated for the cast iron manifolds - ( probably so Bill France wouldn't call "FOUL!"). At the time of the writing of the Feb. 2nd, 1956 memo, the aluminum manifold were not ready but supposedly Kiekhaefer had promised that the first 20 manifold sets would be ready by Feb. 15th. The manifolds would be airfreighted to Volusia County Motors in Daytona Beach for distribution by Danny Eames to the select teams (and privateers) who had previously expressed interest (and maybe put money up). (The last line or so of the memo is missing, so who knows exactly). A second page clarifies (somewhat) the distribution details. Here are those two pages, followed by photos of the intake manifolds that I have found here in the forum in various threads. Edited by 56D500boy 2021-03-17 7:41 PM (Feb2_56_MemoBMCarterRE_D500Dash1ManifoldsAtDaytona_sharp_clean_2.jpg) (Feb2_56MemoBMCarterRE_D500Dash1ManifoldsAtDaytona_2_clean.jpg) (56D500_1IntakeManifold.jpg) (56D500_1IntakeManifold_PN1733878.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Feb2_56_MemoBMCarterRE_D500Dash1ManifoldsAtDaytona_sharp_clean_2.jpg (187KB - 145 downloads) Feb2_56MemoBMCarterRE_D500Dash1ManifoldsAtDaytona_2_clean.jpg (164KB - 152 downloads) 56D500_1IntakeManifold.jpg (95KB - 149 downloads) 56D500_1IntakeManifold_PN1733878.jpg (121KB - 158 downloads) | ||
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| chryslerman101 |
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Member Posts: 40 Location: California | 56D500boy - 2021-03-15 1:50 PM . I am going to start with the Dec. 22, 1955 memo from the Dodge Division to its dealer network regarding the new D500 program. Then the Dec. 30, 1955 Press Release info. The latter shows that not even Dodge had settled on what they wanted to call the new D500 engine (there is mention of "Super Red Ram" which just makes me cringe that they didn't know that they had already used that name?) I don't think that they ever called it that again but I can see now where the confusion about the name might have started: poorly informed PR copy writers. :( Anyway, here goes (there will be more info posted in the future - today or tomorrow): I had seen your information that you have provided on this particular. But, the Dodge name given (Super Red Ram) for the 1956 Dodge D-500 engine was not only stated in its December 30th, 1956 public relation's press release. It is also clearly stated in its original 1956 Dodge Division letter dated December 22nd, 1956 to all of its dealers about its introduction of its new Dodge D-500 car package model, which you have uploaded onto this site, and it was personally signed by Dodge's Vice President of Sales -Byron Nichols. Page 1 - 2nd paragrah - Dodge Division Dec 22, 1956 letter .... "IT'S DYNAMITE IN KIDS GLOVE -- designed to meet the exacting demands of engine maximum power and performance, this new model features a 260 horsepower Super Red-Ram Engine that is a challenge to all competition." It also looks like Dodge had used the same name "Super Red Ram" (Hemi - Double Rock Arms) in its 1955 and also in its 1957 sales brochures (Hemi - Single Rocker Arms) for some of its Hemi type engines as well. Also in its 1957 sales brochures, Dodge had used the names "Super D-500 and D-500" for two of its other (Hemi -Double Rocker Arms) Hemi type engines as well. Finally, why does it bother you so much or makes you "cringe," when you see that Dodge had originally called its Hemi engine as the "Super Red Ram," for its new 1956 Dodge D-500 package model cars ? Scott (d500 dodge - Beckley_Post_Herald_Fri__Feb_10__1956_.jpg) Attachments ---------------- d500 dodge - Beckley_Post_Herald_Fri__Feb_10__1956_.jpg (250KB - 137 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9899 Location: Lower Mainland BC | chryslerman101 - 2021-03-21 1:55 PM Finally, why does it bother you so much or makes you "cringe," when you see that Dodge had originally called its Hemi engine as the "Super Red Ram" for its 1956 Dodge D-500 package model cars ? Why? Because it was incorrect. The 1956 engine line-up already had a 218 hp Super Red Ram 315 cu in 2 bbl Poly (single rocker) and a 230 hp Super-Powered Super Red Ram 315 cu in 4 bbl Super-Powered Super Red Ram. The factory *ONLY* ever called the 260 hp 315 cu in double-rocker ("hemi") engine a Super Red Ram that once. Presumably whoever wrote that was either ill-informed or there were other forces at play because after that, the 260 hp 315 cu in double-rocker ("hemi") engine was only called the D500 engine. Nothing more. Willem Weertman in his "Chrysler Engines: 1922 - 1998" book states on page 141 that the 1956 260 hp 315 cu in double-rocker ("hemi") engine "became a high-performance-only engine named the D500" The "cringe" is because that one error has led to lots of other "errors" because people thought that the engine was called a Super Red Ram when in fact it was not (in 1956). Did you miss reading this post about the use of the Red Ram name? http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=75512&...  Edited by 56D500boy 2021-03-21 7:23 PM | ||
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| chryslerman101 |
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Member Posts: 40 Location: California | 56D500boy said the following ... "The factory *ONLY* ever called the 260 hp 315 cu in double-rocker ("hemi") engine a Super Red Ram that once." I have NO idea why you keep saying the above statement. The Dodge factory had originally stated that its new 260 HP engine for its 1956 D500 package car model was named a "Super Red Ram" in a Dec 22nd, 1956 Dodge Division Letter to all its Dealers and also in a Dec 30th, 1956 Dodge Press release. That would make "TWO" Dodge Factory official documents, NOT "Once" as you stated above. I have never seen any official Dodge Brochures or factory documentation in 1956, which states that the 260 HP Hemi engine used for its new 1956 D500 package car models was called the "D500 Engine ?" Do you have any 1956 Dodge "Factory" Literature or Brochures," which shows that Dodge had changed its original Hemi engine name after its original D500 package car models introduction. Below is 2nd Dodge car Dealer ad from 1956 ... - Scott
(dodge super red ram 260 hp - The_Press_Democrat_Tue__Jan_3__1956_.jpg) Attachments ---------------- dodge super red ram 260 hp - The_Press_Democrat_Tue__Jan_3__1956_.jpg (248KB - 145 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9899 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . Once. Twice. Whatever. Not three times. And showing newspaper adverts is not a valid reference. The copy writers knew nothing other than what somebody told them. Did you miss this post: The Fabulous New Dodge D-500 Brochure (from 1956): http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=67802&... | ||
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| chryslerman101 |
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Member Posts: 40 Location: California | 56D500boy said the following ... "Once. Twice. Whatever. Not three times" I think by the above reply statement that you had made, that you are the type of person that even if I found (3) official factory documents, then you would say "Once, Twice, Three. Whatever. Not Four times" Also, the original 1956 Dodge D-500 car model brochure that you had uploaded on this thread is totally "meaningless." For this brochure talks about the D-500 "car model package," which it also says that it consists of "A new Dodge 260-hp, aircraft-type V-8 engine with 9.25 to 1 compression ratio" with "... bigger 12-inch center plane brakes ..." and its D-500 "car model package" was available for all of its 16 different 1956 Dodge car models. Even the this 1956 D-500 car brochure's specification's page, which I have "attached" below, does not even have name its engine, like it does for every one of Dodges brochures from 1953-57. In fact, it doesn't even say that its engine is a hemisperical combustion chamber engine ? Finally, I see no date listed on this 1956 D-500 car brochure. But, if I had to guess, I would say that it was issued later in 1956, after the D-500 "Special" car package models were announced in March 1956, for this brochure states that its D-500 car model package was available to all of its Dodge V-8 engine car models and also it does not mention the "heavy duty" suspension that was originally part of its 1956 D-500 car model packages. (D500BrochureInsidePg4_small.jpg) Attachments ---------------- D500BrochureInsidePg4_small.jpg (274KB - 136 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9899 Location: Lower Mainland BC |  | ||
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