"Belying the nominal appearance changes, the '58 Dodge lineup was one of the most confusing ever fielded.  One issue is that of the existence of the 'Custom Coronet.'  During the mid- to late Fifties, Coronet buyers could order a Custom trim group that upgraded the interior to approximately Royal level.  But this was a package only, not a separate series.  In 1958, however, some Chrysler publications referred to a Custom Coronet series, and indeed a Custom exterior nameplate was released for production.  But no cars have surfaced with this nameplate, and no ads or literature show any such series."

Jeffrey I. Godshall, "1957-59 Dodge: The Sexy Swept-Wings" Collectible Automobile Volume 10 Number 2 

True no production figures exist, but there are examples.  The one below also happens to be a Texan, but those may be two unrelated circumstances.  I have definitely seen Texans and Iowans that were not Customs, and I think I have seen a Custom that was not a Texan or an Iowan.  I'll be darned if I can find that image though!  I thought it was either a Saddle car with the '57 trim or a Spring Special, so the Custom script nameplate was on the front fender.

Does anyone know more about the mysterious car or have images of another 1958 Dodge Custom?

(04.JPG)

(08.JPG)

(Nameplate.JPG)

(03.JPG)

04.JPG (83KB - 233 downloads)

08.JPG (79KB - 229 downloads)

Nameplate.JPG (57KB - 246 downloads)

03.JPG (50KB - 246 downloads)

Hi, Nathan:

How do you know your car is a Custom Coronet?  Is it the interior mylar swoosh of the upgraded interor or a code?  I'll look for an image of an Iowan.

PS If you refer to your '56 Dodge, this might be a peculiarity specific to the 1958 model year.

I don't want to get too sidetracked on the Iowan, but here it is

(Iowan.jpg)

(57 Plymouth Iowan.jpg)

Iowan.jpg (18KB - 271 downloads)

57 Plymouth Iowan.jpg (345KB - 251 downloads)

2XXL indicates the standard two-tone with a charcoal roof and eggshell body, which this car was.  I think the body paint may be original (although the roof has been repainted).  I don't think I have seen those Texan decals on the fins on any other car.  Perhaps the Texan and Custom are related, but I don't know.  I hope I can find the image of the other Custom I have seen.

(beige and red texan driver rear 1.jpg)

beige and red texan driver rear 1.jpg (42KB - 241 downloads)

Well, maybe it was!  The Texan shown in the above images was Clive's car "Rebels 59" on the Forums.

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=26043&posts=19&highlight=texan&highlightmode=1#M547527

I used to be able to do that Dave.  But alas, no more!  Then, I had to use the link button on the rich text editor.  That worked well for years and now (poof!) it no longer works.  My operating system must have aged itself out of compatibility. 

I am pretty much convinced that the "Custom" nameplate went on Texan coronets in 1957 and 1958.  Here is the other image of the Custom nameplate that I have seen and it is on a Texan.

(Texan coupe 07.JPG)

Texan coupe 07.JPG (20KB - 232 downloads)