1956 Dodge Texan, not mine.

[Xander Wildeisen]

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/7530517667004186/?ref=browse_tab

[John_S_in_Penna]

Wow, that is truly a rare find!  And I don't use the

term "rare" loosely.  Despite its worn condition,

some Mopar fan would love to have and restore

a Dodge Texan.

 

Xander, thank you for sharing this.

 

Edited April 5 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Xander Wildeisen]

Does the material used on the interior panels, have small images of the shape of the state on it?

[John_S_in_Penna]

8 minutes ago, Xander Wildeisen said:

Does the material used on the interior panels, have small images of the shape of the state on it?

I was looking closely at that, and I think it does

have a Texas-shaped pattern.  To replace it,

it would probably have to be specially made today.

There are some fabric companies who do such a thing.

Maybe some other collector had a special run done

and has extra material.

[58L-Y8]

I ran across a 1956 Dodge Texan sedan in a western New York junkyard thirty years ago.  It was pretty rough, had been repainted solid blue even over the "Texan" emblems.  Other than those emblems, nothing seemed different than standard '56 Dodge interior trim.  After the 1955 La Femme experience, wonder why Dodge marketing thought this program would be a regional sales boon.

[Xander Wildeisen]

Probably not going to find a roll of that material at a local swap meet.

[John_S_in_Penna]

The listing includes an original 1956 video of an ad

for the Texan.  I've copied it from Youtube here,

so everyone can see it easily, and so it can be

seen long after the Facebook listing is gone:

 

 

Edited April 5 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

21 minutes ago, 58L-Y8 said:

...wonder why Dodge marketing thought this program would be a regional sales boon.

Probably, as the 1956 ad declared, "Texas pride" was the idea.

In a large state, it would have been quite easy to market a

special edition:  Just some special fabric and nameplate,

and maybe a special paint color.

 

As we've seen with other cars, regional editions were made.

The whole of Texas was probably bigger than other

regional markets, and this Texan evidently had the blessing

of the whole corporation, not merely the efforts of a limited

dealer group.

 

Edited April 5 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Xander Wildeisen]

 

[Leif in Calif]

Of course, the Mustang "California Special" was a  similar idea.....

[Dave Wells]

 

Many people think the Texan was the masculine reply to the Dodge "La Feme", however it was a political favor to the governor of Texas from a Texas born Chrysler exec. and, originally, to dealers of the same political persuasion.     Read this history:

 

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=70045

 

 

 

Edited April 5 by Dave Wells (see edit history)

[7th Son]

Here are the '57 and '58 versions of the Dodge Texan. There is mention of a '59 model, but I have been unable to find any examples or documentation. Maybe someone in Texas knows.

 

1957 Dodge Texan:

 

 

 

1958 Dodge Texan

 

 

 

 

[John_S_in_Penna]

1 hour ago, 7th Son said:

Here are the '57 and '58 versions of the Dodge Texan.

Thanks, Seventh Son.  I had heard only of the 1956,

and didn't know they were made in other years.

 

And Xander, you've clearly started an interesting topic here!

[58L-Y8]

It was Lester Lum (L.L.) 'Tex" Colbert who was the president of Chrysler Corporation at the time.

Lester Lum Colbert - Wikipedia

[Xander Wildeisen]

9 hours ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

Thanks, Seventh Son.  I had heard only of the 1956,

and didn't know they were made in other years.

 

And Xander, you've clearly started an interesting topic here!

Very few people know about the Dodge Idahoan.