Need information on a 1959 Dodge Custom Royal

[Brandon Todd]

Hello. I was just wanting to ask how rare these cars were in 1959 i stumbled across a 4 door model day in someones yard and it looked as complete as can be. I doubt it runs, and im not sure what engine it has in it, but it looked like a nice old car. 

 

I asked the gentleman how much hed want for the car, and he said asking price is $1,200. Is it worth it?

[JACK M]

That would be a fair deal if it was complete and able to run.

The four doors seem to be coming back as the coupes being the most desirable are getting scarce.

I would at least try and turn the engine, and maybe take a good look at the wiring.

Of coarse a title would be mandatory.

[Pete in PA]

I have fond memories of these cars as my maternal grandparents bought a new 59 Coronet sedan off the showroom floor.  Theirs was black with the 326 V8, an AM radio and heater, and not much else.  But the black was perfect for contrasting with all the chrome on that car.  The upholstery with metallic thread and "thermometer" speedometer are definitely standout features of the 59 Dodge.  Not to mention the rocket engine tail lamps...

 

The Custom Royal was about $500 more than the Coronet back in 59.  You don't say whether this "four door" is a pillared sedan or a pillarless 4DHT.  The latter would make it a Custom Royal Lancer and much cooler (IMHO).

 

Custom Royal sedan production was about 8900 units at about $3100.  The Lancer 4DHT cost $3200 and about 5000 were built.  The vast, vast majority of these cars were crushed long ago so any survivor in decent shape is noteworty.  They're kind of iconic in the mold of the 59 Cadillac with its fins and rocket engine tail lamps.

 

Rust repair will consume a lot of money so beware of that.  Just getting the mechanicals in working condition can be daunting.  The fuel tank will almost certainly be junk by now.  The brake hydraulic parts (all of them!) will need to be rebuilt or replaced.  The engine cooling system will need attention and radiator recoring, engine block "freeze" plug replacement isn't cheap if you're paying a shop to do the work.

 

With that stuff sorted you can move on to cosmetics and spend a lot of money there was well.  Only you know how far you want to  go.  A lot depends on the option content of the car (engine size, power equipment, etc.) and how much money you can expect to recover when you're done having fun.  Factor A/C is ultra rare with less than 5% of 59 Dodges having it (a $470 option).

 

I for one would love to see pics of this 59.  My grandparents' was sold at their estate auction back in 1990.

[Brandon Todd]

2 hours ago, Pete in PA said:

I have fond memories of these cars as my maternal grandparents bought a new 59 Coronet sedan off the showroom floor.  Theirs was black with the 326 V8, an AM radio and heater, and not much else.  But the black was perfect for contrasting with all the chrome on that car.  The upholstery with metallic thread and "thermometer" speedometer are definitely standout features of the 59 Dodge.  Not to mention the rocket engine tail lamps...

 

The Custom Royal was about $500 more than the Coronet back in 59.  You don't say whether this "four door" is a pillared sedan or a pillarless 4DHT.  The latter would make it a Custom Royal Lancer and much cooler (IMHO).

 

Custom Royal sedan production was about 8900 units at about $3100.  The Lancer 4DHT cost $3200 and about 5000 were built.  The vast, vast majority of these cars were crushed long ago so any survivor in decent shape is noteworty.  They're kind of iconic in the mold of the 59 Cadillac with its fins and rocket engine tail lamps.

 

Rust repair will consume a lot of money so beware of that.  Just getting the mechanicals in working condition can be daunting.  The fuel tank will almost certainly be junk by now.  The brake hydraulic parts (all of them!) will need to be rebuilt or replaced.  The engine cooling system will need attention and radiator recoring, engine block "freeze" plug replacement isn't cheap if you're paying a shop to do the work.

 

With that stuff sorted you can move on to cosmetics and spend a lot of money there was well.  Only you know how far you want to  go.  A lot depends on the option content of the car (engine size, power equipment, etc.) and how much money you can expect to recover when you're done having fun.  Factor A/C is ultra rare with less than 5% of 59 Dodges having it (a $470 option).

 

I for one would love to see pics of this 59.  My grandparents' was sold at their estate auction back in 1990.

Hello pete, and thanks for the reply! The car does have factory ac i believe. It does have power steering and windows for sure. This is the only picture i have sadly. I didnt think much about the car until i walked away from it!

[72caddy]

The two door Cadillac to the left would be interesting as well. Expensive to restore but probably more desirable in the marketplace if your are looking to recover some of your investment.

[Pete in PA]

Sorry but that's a parts car.  Parked under trees on dirt for decades?  It's gonna be a nightmare underneath.  If you really want a 59 Dodge keep looking.

[Pete in PA]

I just regained access to a ton of pics that I thought were gone forever.  Here's a photobucket album of a 59 Coronet that was on ebay in May of 2009.  It is spectacular!  Reminded of my grandparents due to the black exterior but that's where the similarity ended.  This was one beautiful Coronet!!!

 

http://s1158.photobucket.com/user/1augapfel/library/1959 Dodge Coronet

 

 

 

[1936 Viper]

As a sixth grader I was amazed at the fins on the 59 Dodge