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Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-26 10:44 AM (#617913)
Subject: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

In 2013 I visited a friend who has this old Dodge Convertible. He has been in poor health, and I recently learned he wants to sell it. I am interested and plan to make the trip to look at it more closely soon. I am wanting to learn all I can about it. I have not been able to find another Dodge Convertible pictured with the same side molding trim, which leaves me puzzled

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-26 10:47 AM (#617914 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

Only option to post pictures I found was "attach File after posting" Trying to figure that out?

ronbo97

Posted 2021-12-26 11:16 AM (#617915 - in reply to #617914)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Pictures are limited to a size of 250K. So you have to use software to reduce the size. Or you can send me a private message and I will send you my email address. Then I will resize the photos for you and post in this thread.

Ron

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-26 12:05 PM (#617919 - in reply to #617915)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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PM Sent

ronbo97

Posted 2021-12-26 2:20 PM (#617924 - in reply to #617919)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Here are Kirk's photos. The car is a 1954 Dodge Royal convertible. I realize this is pre-Forward Look. So admins should feel free to move to Neither Region.

Ron

(1954 Dodge 6.jpg)

(1954 Dodge 5.jpg)

(1954 Dodge 4 .jpg)

(1954 Dodge 3.jpg)

(1954 Dodge 2.jpg)

(1954 Dodge 1.jpg)

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1954 Dodge 6.jpg (173KB - 44 downloads)
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1954 Dodge 5.jpg (231KB - 43 downloads)
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1954 Dodge 4 .jpg (155KB - 45 downloads)
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1954 Dodge 3.jpg (209KB - 43 downloads)
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1954 Dodge 2.jpg (200KB - 38 downloads)
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1954 Dodge 1.jpg (216KB - 37 downloads)

56D500boy

Posted 2021-12-26 3:00 PM (#617925 - in reply to #617924)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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.
I see a 241 hem and it looks like a 4bbl air cleaner - which, if correct, will be close to the specs of the 1954 Dodge Indy 500 pace car (and it's 701 yellow clones).

A restored Pace Car would be the upper limit of the value of this green and black convertible. (US$45K). So I would think more in US$15K-20K range for this one, all cleaned up and running. (???):

https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1531814/1954-dodge-royal-for-s...

Edited by 56D500boy 2021-12-26 5:41 PM

dodge59

Posted 2021-12-26 8:39 PM (#617935 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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The green and black convert I believe is a Canadian made model. Never seen one like that with the black and chrome trim on the upper quarters , hood and around the wheel openings . The way it sits value at no more than 10K.
The Yellow and black convertible is my old car I restored several years ago. it's been passed thru a few auctions already . last one pulled 30K out of it . That car is a REAL Indy car Frame up restoration. old car price guide is listed at 59K.

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-27 8:56 AM (#617938 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

Thank you to 56D500boy and dodge59 you have both been very helpful. I plan to make a trip to look the car over closely for rust, locked engine, etc. If nothing scares me off, I will bring it home. Thank you

dodge59

Posted 2021-12-27 9:17 AM (#617939 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Kirk , one thing I did see is that the engine might not be era correct for 54 . the engine oil dipstick is in the front by the lower radiator hose which tells me engine may be a transplant from a 55 or 56 . they had the engine oil dip stick in the front drv location . looks like it has power steering and a 4 barrel carb too. That was a sharp looking car in it's day ! Hope you get it and give it a new life ! if you get anymore history on the car please post it .
john

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-27 9:20 AM (#617940 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

I was just told that the trim and paint was part of a package called "Spring Special" I did find it referenced here https://fiftiesweb.com/cars/dodge/ Have either of you heard of that?

Edited by Kirk T 2021-12-27 9:21 AM

dodge59

Posted 2021-12-27 9:36 AM (#617941 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Ok , now I remember seeing that model , being a convertible and color threw me off . lol

ronbo97

Posted 2021-12-27 9:48 AM (#617942 - in reply to #617941)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Kirk - If you do a google search on 54 Dodge Royal, you'll come up with a lot of info on the car.

Ron

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-27 11:09 AM (#617945 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

After doing some more research this morning I found where the Offenhauser four barrel intake manifold and four barrel carburetor that was standard on the Indy 500 pace car was optional on other models in 1954. If This car had that option would that put the dipstick in the location that is in?. I’m making plans to leave at 5 AM in the morning to go look at the car. Are there engine number somewhere that would help me determine if that engine is correct for that car? Thank you guys a lot! I kind of feel like I’m not supposed to be here after learning that this car is a 54 model . But there’s probably more knowledge here than anywhere else. So thanks for allowing me thus far.

firedome

Posted 2021-12-27 11:11 AM (#617946 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Also note this green/black '54 has a Continental kit spare mount, but I don't see the wheel/tire/cover. A desirable option to many.

StillOutThere

Posted 2021-12-27 11:12 AM (#617947 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

Location: Under the X in Texas

Love it! Man, think very seriously and long before turning down this opportunity.
I had a '53 Coronet coupe (Hemi) some 22 years ago found locally and was impressed to no end considering the year of the car. They are softly suspended but HD gas shocks (my solution bought at A-! Shocks) are a great help. Remember these cars were competitive in NASCAR. If it has a year or two newer Dodge Hemi, all the better! If the car is manual /overdrive, then WAY COOL.

StillOutThere

Posted 2021-12-27 11:30 AM (#617948 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

Location: Under the X in Texas

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/dodge-royalty-1954-dodge-ro...

There is the trim and story.

(569951.jpg)

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569951.jpg (83KB - 43 downloads)

dodge59

Posted 2021-12-27 11:34 AM (#617949 - in reply to #617945)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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engine ID is in the front of engine near the valley pan under the intake manifold. I believe it should be d501.... something like that for 1954 . there is no option for dip stick location . sorry !

56D500boy

Posted 2021-12-27 1:06 PM (#617951 - in reply to #617949)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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dodge59 - 2021-12-27 8:34 AM

engine ID is in the front of engine near the valley pan under the intake manifold. I believe it should be d501.... something like that for 1954 . there is no option for dip stick location .

Almost 103% sure that the engine number will NOT start D501. However, it might start D54.....

In this case, regardless of what the engine number says, you will not be able to confirm that the engine is original to the car until you can obtain (if possible) an image of its 1954 Dodge IBM card (if they didn't get burned in some fire).

And you can't get that until a) you have title of the vehicle and b) Fiat Chrysler/Stellantis/whatever Historical is back at work. And there aren't any good signs that that is going to happen soon.

This is what a 55 Dodge IBM card looks like (showing the engine number)(I hope that 1954 Dodge IBM cards look similar):

Edited by 56D500boy 2021-12-27 6:36 PM

(55DodgeIBMCardOct1954.jpg)

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55DodgeIBMCardOct1954.jpg (83KB - 42 downloads)

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-27 2:24 PM (#617953 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

Wow! You guys have been a tremendous help! I am still planning to leave at 5am and taking a trailer. The story and chain of events keeps getting more involved and deeper all the time, all above board, I'll share more of that later as time allows

dodge59

Posted 2021-12-27 2:34 PM (#617954 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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You are correct 56d500boy , engine id is not d501 . D44-1001 1953 241 140 hp (Red Ram) D50A-1001 1954 241 140 hp (Red Ram) D553-1001 1955 270 183 hp D553-1001 1955 270 193 hp (w/Power Pak) D500-1001 1956 315 260 hp (D500) KD500-1001 1957 325 285 hp KD500-1001 1957 325 310 hp (w/Power Pak)

Edited by dodge59 2021-12-27 2:37 PM

56D500boy

Posted 2021-12-27 3:11 PM (#617955 - in reply to #617954)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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dodge59 - 2021-12-27 11:34 AM You are correct 56d500boy ,
engine id is not d501 .

D44-1001 1953 241 140 hp (Red Ram)
D50A-1001 1954 241 140 hp (Red Ram)
D553-1001 1955 270 183 hp
D553-1001 1955 270 193 hp (w/Power Pak)
D500-1001 1956 315 260 hp (D500)
KD500-1001 1957 325 285 hp
KD500-1001 1957 325 310 hp (w/Power Pak)

Thanks John. I will add:

From Gary's (Wayfarer's Website)

D63-1 -1001 ..... 1956 ....... 270 Poly ...... 2-bbl
D63-2 -1001 .... 1956 ....... 315 Poly ...... 2-bbl
D63-3 -1001 ......1956 ....... 315 Poly ...... 4-bbl

And

KDS- 1001 ...... 1957 ....... 325 Poly ...... 2-bbl
L325 -1001 ...... 1958 ....... 325 Poly ...... 4-bbl
LD2 -1001 ....... 1958 ....... 325 Poly ...... 4-bbl

REFERENCE: https://www.qualityengineeredcomponents.com/?page_id=8

Edited by 56D500boy 2021-12-27 6:52 PM

frwl

Posted 2021-12-27 4:23 PM (#617956 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: RE: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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.
And the body code should have 784 as below…
All pre-forwardlook MOPAR Convertibles had three-digit code ended on the «4»…
In 1954 Chrysler did not buy the Briggs Body Plant yet…

(1954 Dodge Royal Lancer Convertible Body Code Example.jpg)

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1954 Dodge Royal Lancer Convertible Body Code Example.jpg (76KB - 42 downloads)

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-28 11:43 AM (#617973 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

Engine number D502-???

56D500boy

Posted 2021-12-28 12:27 PM (#617976 - in reply to #617973)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Kirk T - 2021-12-28 8:43 AM
Engine number D502-???

Sounds about right. D44-nnnnn would be wrong (that would be 1953). D50?-nnnnn should be 1954 241 hemi (had 150 hp with the 2 bbl and some say (I don't believe it), 170 hp with the optional aluminum Offenhauser (name is cast into the intake) and a Carter 4bbl carb.

Is the spare tire cover in the trunk?

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-28 6:01 PM (#617990 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

It does have the aluminum Offenhauser intake manifold and four barrel carburetor. It was a tremendous job to get it out of the building and loaded the rear brake drums are rusted to the shoes. I did manage to get it loaded and am on my way back home about three hours to home.

56D500boy

Posted 2021-12-29 2:02 AM (#618000 - in reply to #617990)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Kirk T - 2021-12-28 3:01 PM
It does have the aluminum Offenhauser intake manifold and four barrel carburetor. It was a tremendous job to get it out of the building and loaded the rear brake drums are rusted to the shoes. I did manage to get it loaded and am on my way back home about three hours to home.

Congrats. Good for you.

You might be able to free up the rear shoes by adjusting them (looser) but maybe not.

Good luck on the trip.

Edited by 56D500boy 2021-12-29 2:25 AM

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-29 7:29 AM (#618001 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

I started my adventure yesterday morning at 5:15 a.m. Arrived at 9:00 a.m. It was quite the challenge to get the car out of the barn and loaded. First obstacle was a pickup sitting in front of the OHD, no keys! So, I got the backhoe running, took the tailgate off of the pickup so I wouldn't damage it. I picked the back of the pickup up with the loader and towed it out of the way, a hydraulic hose blew on the loader! Then I had to move a lot of stuff to get to the car. Then the car had to be moved 20 feet and turned 1/4 a turn to line up with the door, all on two tires that wouldn't take air and rear wheels locked (brake shoes bonded to drums) So I stuck the backhoe in the door and used the swing to drag, re-hook, drag, re-hook until the car was in front of the door. Then I had the task of turning it a 1/4 turn after which I use the hoe again to drag it out. Once out I had to come along it onto the trailer which was very difficult. Made it home at 7:45 PM showered and straight to bed!

(Out of Barn 1.jpg)

(Out of Barn 2.jpg)

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Out of Barn 1.jpg (118KB - 40 downloads)
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Out of Barn 2.jpg (147KB - 42 downloads)

Kirk T

Posted 2021-12-29 8:43 AM (#618002 - in reply to #617976)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Posts: 11

56D500boy - 2021-12-28 11:27 AM

Kirk T - 2021-12-28 8:43 AM
Engine number D502-???

Yes! The spare tire cover was in the trunk, :-) it is different than the one pictured on the car above, Ill post a picture later. In an earlier post there was a question regarding whether or not the engine is correct for the car? "Dip stick location wrong" Can you or anyone else help make that clearer? Thanks Kirk

Edited by Kirk T 2021-12-29 8:50 AM

ronbo97

Posted 2021-12-29 9:07 AM (#618003 - in reply to #618002)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Congratulations on removing the car successfully. At this point, it would be a good idea to get a factory shop manual. It will answer a lot of questions. You can find them on ebay.

I would assume that the dipstick is in the correct location.

Where are you located ? Based on the photos, I would guess Kansas or Iowa ?

Ron

ronbo97

Posted 2021-12-29 9:22 AM (#618004 - in reply to #618003)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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Another thing worth noting is that the rear brake drums are mounted on a tapered axle. You need a special tool, called a Tapered Axle Puller, to remove them. I'm sure someone will post a photo or a link to this tool.

Ron

StillOutThere

Posted 2021-12-29 12:58 PM (#618009 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

Location: Under the X in Texas

puller type - can't find my file photo! IMPORTANT: After loosening the center axle nut and removing the hardened washer, thread the nut back on flush with axle end. THEN install the puller. Omit this step and you may break your hand or ankle when it comes loose! 

Edited by StillOutThere 2021-12-29 1:05 PM

56D500boy

Posted 2021-12-29 2:47 PM (#618011 - in reply to #618009)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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StillOutThere - 2021-12-29 9:58 AM
puller type - can't find my file photo!
IMPORTANT: After loosening the center axle nut and removing the hardened washer, thread the nut back on flush with axle end. THEN install the puller.
Omit this step and you may break your hand or ankle when it comes loose!

We just went through this the other day:

56D500boy - 2021-12-28 8:31 AM

cdstl - 2021-12-28 7:37 AM
Very good, Thanks. I'm pretty familiar with 60s Mopars, this is my first one from the 50s. I figured that I could pull the fronts with this thing but I was sure about the rears.

The fronts do not need a puller, just removal of the spindle nut and maybe backing off of the brake shoe adjustment.

Remember that in the 1950's Mopars had left and right hand thread wheel bolts/studs and nuts. LH on the left side (righty loosey, lefty tighty) and RH on the right side (lefty loosey, righty tighty)

The rear drums are a whole different kettle of fish because they fit on a the tapered axle shaft with a key-way. The type of drum puller you have is correct for the job. Doesn't mean that the drum won't fight you though.

The kitten is optional:

RDP

Posted 2021-12-29 2:53 PM (#618012 - in reply to #617913)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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step by step

https://youtu.be/Hro7tbmjk3k

56D500boy

Posted 2021-12-29 3:29 PM (#618015 - in reply to #618012)
Subject: Re: Help with Year and Value of this Dodge Convertible

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RDP - 2021-12-29 11:53 AM
step by step
https://youtu.be/Hro7tbmjk3k

Except he missed the step where you put the loosened castellated nut back on the axle a few threads before you install the "milking stool" puller. He could have chipped the end of the axle and/or worn the puller and the drum in his teeth if it had popped off violently.

He was lucky.

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